07132014-Letter from Thuesen.pdfRECEIVED
July 13, 2014 JUL15 7-0k,
Robert English 0 V1<nLW W404
VC__P
1215 th Ave. N.
Edmonds WA 98020
Re_ Development Retaining Wall and Tree Removal Permit Suspension Staff Meeting
Mr. English,
I am writing this letter in response to my meeting with Staff on July 10, 2014. The meeting was
requested by the City in order to review, and advise the City of how I intend to move forward with
construction of the civil improvements, SS -1 and SS -2 retaining wall design. Primary focus of Staff was on
the proximity of the retaining walls to the shared south property line. City Staff had met and reviewed
the civil short plat plans prior to our meeting and drafted a letter on June 25, 2014 recommending
suspension of the SS -1 and SS -2 Retaining Wall permits, as well as the Tree Removal permit. Staff
concluded that to construct the SS -1 and SS -2 Retaining Walls along the south property line, a new
temporary construction easement (TCE) needed to be obtained from the property owners to the south.
The SS -1 retaining wall was granted a TCE. The SS -2 retaining wall permit was not granted a TCE (City
Ordinance 3729) and was designed accordingly. I explained to Staff that a TCE for the SS -1 retaining wall
was not needed.
In field distance adjustments of footings and walls from adjacent property lines is common practice
throughout the industry. This is done to allow adequate room for excavation, forming and construction
adjacent to a shared property line. If discovery of unknown site/soil conditions requires modification,
based on new geotechnical findings, a construction change will be submitted to the City of Edmonds for
review and approval. Geotechnical findings on site conditions have been accurate and successful during
construction of previous 8-12 foot retaining walls on the site. I am confident in the proposed project's
successful completion.
Please be advised, I intend to construct the retaining wail SS -1 as designed with minor adjustments in
distance from the shared property line as needed. The SS -1 wall height and type does not require a TCE.
The SS -2 wall will also be built as designed with minor adjustments to distance from the shared property
line. This section of wall was not granted a TCE and was designed accordingly.
Tree Removal is necessary for construction of the SS -2 retaining wall. Documentation was provided
supporting the removal of the tree. It will not survive development of the access road. After removal of
the tree, the slope stability provided by the tree root ball will be replaced by the retaining wall.
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This letter is my answer to the City letter dated lune 25, 2014 request to advise how I plan to construct
the civil improvements. Please reactivate the suspended permits immediately so I can move forward
with construction of the civil improvements for the short plat.
Sincerely,
Eric B. Thuesen
c: Duana Koulskova