One of the most recognized issues tied to the climate change discussion in urbanized areas is the loss of tree canopy. While the value of maintaining and increasing tree canopy coverage seems to be universally accepted, the realities of achieving urban tree canopy goals is often more challenging, particularly as communities attempt to balance such goals with those of economic development.
Having recently debated regulations aimed directly at tree canopy and development, Louisville, Kentucky provides a case study for helping to frame many of the issues in this complex conversation. This session brings together a panel representing the key stakeholders in this debate—government, environmentalists, and the development community, to share Louisville’s journey and lessons learned.
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Panel:
Julia Williams, AICP
Julia Williams is a Planning Supervisor for Louisville Metro Planning & Design. She has over 22 years of experience in community planning and design including managing Louisville Metro’s efforts to revise development regulations to protect and increase tree canopy. Julia earned a B.S. in Landscape Architecture from the University of Kentucky and a Masters of Urban Planning from University of Louisville. In addition to being a member of the American Institute of Certified Planners, Julia is currently an Urban Design/Site Planning adjunct Professor for the University of Louisville.
Cindi Sullivan
Cindi Sullivan is the Executive Director/President of TreesLouisville. She is a certified arborist and has Tree Risk Assessment Qualification. Cindi has more than 35 years of experience in horticultural and agronomy research, government services, environmental consulting, media and nonprofit work. This experience includes serving in a leadership role with the City of Louisville's Operation Brightside and hosting for over 25 years daily television and radio programs in Louisville focused on horticulture, environmental and lifestyle issues. Cindi has also served as President and Board member of the National Community Gardening Association and is a graduate of the University of Kentucky where she studied horticulture.
Kelli Jones, PLA
Kelli Jones is a landscape architect with Sabak, Wilson and Lingo, Inc., a Louisville, KY based multi-disciplinary design firm, where she manages a range of projects from conceptual design through preliminary plan and site construction approval. She is well versed in Louisville Metro’s Land Development Code (LDC) and served on the committee responsible for amending the tree canopy and landscape requirements of LDC in 2014. Most recently she participated in an advisory group of local tree advocates providing guidance on a new round of revisions to the LDC.
Jon Henney, PLA, ASLA, AICP – Moderator
Jon is a Senior Vice President with Gresham Smith, a national multi-disciplinary consulting firm, where he manages the Land Planning Division of their Louisville office. He has over 38 years of experience in community planning and design including nearly 12 years with Louisville Metro’s Advanced Planning Division. Jon is active in the Louisville community, where he has served on the Board of Trustees of the Louisville Olmsted Parks Conservancy and currently sits on Louisville’s Downtown Development Review Overlay Board. He is also serves as Trustee of the Kentucky Chapter of the American Society of Landscape Architects.