CU-12-26 Complete But Need Additional Info.pdf1120, :1.`z�g0
121 5th AVENUE NORTH ® EDMONDS, WA 98020 P (425) 771-0220 @ FAX (425) 771-0221
www.edmondswa.gov
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
November 20, 2012
Mr. Joseph Hampson
21321 Pioneer Way
Edmonds, WA 98026
Dear Mr. Hampson:
GAVE EANLING
MAYOR
Your land use application for a post -event tree cutting permit application located at 21321 Pioneer Way,
File No. PLN20120026 became complete on August 22, 2012; however, it was recently determined that
additional information/clarification is necessary. Please provide responses to the following items at your
earliest convenience so that staff's review of the proposal can continue:
A critical areas determination is not on file for your property. Since the subject trees are located
within a critical area (Landslide Hazard Area) and/or its buffer, a critical areas determination is
necessary. Please fill out and submit the enclosed Critical Areas Checklist with the associated $155
fee. Or, you may submit the checklist online at www.edmondswa.gov via the "Online Permits" link.
After the checklist and associated fee are submitted, staff will visit the site and issue a critical areas
determination. This determination will be utilized in concluding whether additional critical areas
study is necessary.
Due to the presence of a slope that is steep enough to qualify as a Landslide Hazard Area on/adjacent
to the subject site, a geotechnical report is required. Please submit a geotechnical report prepared by
a qualified geotechnical engineer addressing the proposal's compliance with all applicable
requirements of the critical areas code contained within Edmonds Community Development Code
(ECDC) Chapters 23.40 and 23.80. As part of the report, the geotechnical engineer will need to
review the proposed restoration plan and make any necessary recommendations to ensure that the
proposal will not jeopardize the stability of the slope.
The cover letter prepared by your arborist states that the subject trees were reduced in height due to
"the severity of the slope aspect and the inadequate soil stability where these maples are located."
This is something that your geotechnical engineer will need to address within his response to Item #2
above. If your arborist and geotechnical engineer contend that the trees were hazardous according to
the requirements of ECDC 23.40.220.C.7.b, then Tree Hazard Evaluation Forms prepared by your
arborist must be submitted for all three trees (your submittal only included a form for Tree # 3).
4. Your restoration plan specifies replanting at a ratio of 2 -to -1; however, the proposed species are not
acceptable. Rhododendrons are not considered trees and cannot be utilized to count towards the 2:1
replacement ratio. Your arborist must prepare a proposal for restoration including recommendations
on species and locations of the replacement trees, which must be reviewed and approved by your
geotechnical engineer. Your geotechnical engineer may determine that in addition to the replacement
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trees, groundcover and/or shrubs would be necessary to minimize erosion potential on the slope. It
shall be noted that ECDC 23.40.220.C.7.b requires replacement with trees that are native and
indigenous to the site and a minimum. of one inch in diameter at breast height (DBH) for deciduous
trees and a minimum of six feet in height for evergreen trees as measured from the top of the root
ball.
Please submit the above information as soon as possible, so that staff may continue processing your
application. Please keep in mind that a complete response to this information request must be received
within 90 days or the application will lapse for lack of information (ECDC 20.02.003.ID). Thus, your
application will expire if the requested information is not received by February 18, 2012.
If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me at (425) 771-0220, extension 1224. I look
forward to working with you on this project.
Sincerely,
Development Services Department - Planning Division
Jen Machuga
Associate Planner
Cc: File No. PLN20120026
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