Hazard Tree Removal STF20180017.pdfCITY OF EDMONDS
121 5t" Avenue North, Edmonds WA 98020
Phone: 425.771.0220 • Fax: 425.771.0221 • Web: www.ci.edmonds.wa.us
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT • PLANNING DIVISION
111C. 1g9v
May 10, 2018
Angela Hwang
23915 —102nd Ave. W.
Edmonds, WA 98020
Subject: Hazard Tree Removal (STF20180017)
Dear Mr. and Mrs. Hwang,
The City of Edmonds was contacted by you as a result of a recommendation by a certified
arborist Bryan Petitclerc regarding the removal of a hemlock tree located on the property. The
identified tree is located on a steep slope. The slope is considered a critical area pursuant to
Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) Chapters 23.40, 23.80. The applicant's email
dated November 20, 2017 mentions a fallen tree that occurred back in November 2017, this
decision is regarding the removal of one Hemlock tree only and does not address the fallen tree
that has already occurred.
Generally, the removal of trees or vegetation within a critical area or critical area buffer is not
an allowed activity unless it involves the removal of invasive species or hazard trees pursuant to
ECDC 23.40.220.C.8. Normal maintenance of vegetation is an allowed activity in critical areas.
"Normal maintenance of vegetation" is defined as "removal of shrubs/nonwoody vegetation
and trees (less than four -inch diameter at breast height) that occurs at least every other year.
Maintenance also may include tree topping that has been previously approved by the city in the
past five years." In this case, the hemlock tree is larger than 4" DBH so tree hazard evaluation is
required.
ISA Tree Risk Assessment forms, prepared by Bryan Petitclerc (PN-7580A) were submitted with
the request to remove one tree with an overall risk rating of "high." The subject Hemlock tree
had been previously topped and is showing signs of decay in the upper crown according to the
arborist report. Due to the high risk for failure the tree is a candidate for removal. Pursuant to
ECDC 23.40.220.C.8.b.iv each hazard tree removed must be replaced with new trees at a ratio
of two to one. The applicant will be replacing the tree with two Douglas Firs.
An exemption for tree cutting is granted with the following conditions:
Only the identified Hemlock may be cut. The stump of the tree cut must be left in place
to provide slope stability and prevent erosion.
2. Two replacement trees of a species native to the area must be installed within one year
of the tree cutting activity. Evergreen species must be a minimum of 6-feet in height
while deciduous species must be a minimum of one to two inches diameter at breast
height consistent with ECDC 23.40.220.C.8.b.iv.
3. The downed wood may be left onsite or removed.
If you have any questions, please let me know at either michele.szafran@edmondswa.gov or
425-771-0220.
Sincerely,
Michele Q. Szafran
Planner
Encl: Tree Risk Assessment Forms
Photos
Site Plan
Applicant Emails
11 A Photographic Guide to the Evaluation of Hazard Trees in Urban Areas
. TREE HAZARD EVAL UATION FORM 2nd Edition
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Site Plan
ArcSDE.GIS. STREET —CENTERLINE
-call other valueI
23915 102nd Ave. W.
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MAP IS NOT TO BE USED FOR DESIGN OR CONSTRUCTION
—
Szafran, Michele
From: Angela Hwang <angela.l.hwang@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 7, 2018 3:51 PM
To: Szafran, Michele
Cc: Babe 0
Subject: Re: For your approval: Arborist Hazard Evaluation
Hello Michele!
Attached is the marked up site plan you sent me awhile back which indicates by a white dot that on plot 23915
is an approximate placement of the current tree that we need to remove. In its place and right next to the white
dot we have two Douglas Firs that we plan to plant in the place of the current tree once it is removed.
Szafran, Michele
From: Angela Hwang <angela.l.hwang@gmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, March 14, 2018 7:32 AM
To: Szafran, Michele
Cc: Babe r; Clugston, Michael
Subject: Re: For your approval: Arborist Hazard Evaluation
Categories: Trees/Landscaping
VERY helpful! Wish I wouldn't asked sooner.:)
On Mar 13, 2018, at 1:11 PM, Szafran, Michele <Michele.Szafran (r edmondswa.gov> wrote:
Angela,
You may use the attached site plan aerial to show the tree to be removed and you may also show the
proposed tree replacements on the site plan. Please identify the tree species for replacement on the
plan.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Michele Q. Szafran / Planner
City of Edmonds
121 5t" Ave. N.
Edmonds, WA 98020
425-771-0220, x 1778
michele.szafran@edmondswa.gov
General permit assistance, online permits, and Web GIS: http://www.edmondswa.gov/handouts.html
Permit Center Hours:
M, T, Th, F 8:00 AM — 4:30 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM — 12:00 PM
From: Angela Hwang <angela.l.hwang@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, March 12, 2018 4:22 PM
To: Szafran, Michele <Michele.Szafran@edmondswa.gov>
Cc: Babe r <genward.hwang@gmail.com>; Clugston, Michael<Michael.Clugston@edmondswa.gov>
Subject: Re: For your approval: Arborist Hazard Evaluation
Hi Michele,
Can I hand draw my own site plan? Otherwise not really sure how to obtain an official version...
On Nov 20, 2017, at 2:30 PM, Szafran, Michele <Michele. Szalran(uLedmondswa.gov> wrote:
Angela,
Per my email dated September 5, 2017 please submit a site plan showing the tree to be
removed and show on the site plan where you will plant the replacement trees. The
replacement trees will need to be planted at a 2:1 ratio and you mention in your email
that you have 2 trees to transplant, so please state the tree species for replacement.
The tree hazard evaluation that you had previously provided calls out tree #1, what is
tree #1 as identified by the report? Is tree #1 the tree that you are removing or is tree
#1 for the fallen tree? It helps to list the tree numbers in the site plan so staff can
document the tree report with the site plan.
Let me know if you have any questions. I have attached an aerial view that you may use
as a site plan or you may draw up a site plan as well. Please email the requested
information to me so I may document the tree removal and tree replacement plan.
Regards,
Michele Q. Szafran / Planner
City of Edmonds
121 5th Ave. N.
Edmonds, WA 98020
425-771-0220, x 1778
michele.szafran@edmondswa.gov
General permit assistance, online permits, and Web
GIS: http_//www.edmondswp.gov/handouts.html
Permit Center Hours:
M, T, Th, F 8:00 AM — 4:30 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM —12:00 PM
From: Angela Hwang[mailto:angela.l.hwang@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, November 20, 2017 11:52 AM
To: Szafran, Michele<Michele.Szafran@edmondswa.gov>; Clugston, Michael
<Michael.Clugston@edmondswa.gov>
Cc: Babe r <genward.hwang@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: For your approval: Arborist Hazard Evaluation
Also, I know it's been a while but we are the ones who sent our arborists written
recommendation that we have a highly critical slope on our property and the
arborist recommended this tree be removed. Let me know if you need to see the
recommendation again. Thanks!
On Nov 20, 2017, at 11:48 AM, Angela Hwang <angela.l.hwang@,gmail.com>
wrote:
Hello Michele and Michael,
Attached are photos of one of the trees we have been wanting to
remove that blew over in this last windstorm (the other day) into
our neighbors driveway barely missing their roof over their
daughters bedroom. We'd like to get this approval moving quickly
so that we can professionally fell the other critical tree!
I have 2 trees I can transplant in place of the one we want to
remove, per the code, so what else can I provide to you? Please let
me know! Thanks!
Angela Hwang
425-773-8379
<image l .jpeg>
<image2.jpeg>
On Sep 5, 2017, at 4:58 PM, Szafran, Michele
<Michele.Szatran@edmondswa.l ov> wrote:
Angela,
I spoke with staff to confirm the process of tree removal
on your property located at 23915 102"d Ave. W. In
addition to the information you have provided please
provide a basic site plan verifying where the tree is
located on site and provide a tree replacement plan
that complies with ECDC 23.40.220(C)(8)(b). Please note
that any tree removed from a critical area must be
replaced on -site at a 2:1 ratio with native and
indigenous species. see Washington Native Plant
Society for help selecting vegetation.
http://www.wnps.org/
Regards,
Michele Q. Szafran / Planner
City of Edmonds
121 5th Ave. N.
Edmonds, WA 98020
425-771-0220, x 1778
michele.szafran@edmondswa.gov
General permit assistance, online permits, and Web
GIS: http://www.edmondswa.gov/handouts.html
Permit Center Hours:
M, T, Th, F 8:00 AM —4:30 PM
Wednesday 8:30 AM — 12:00 PM
From: Angela Hwang
[mailto:angela.l.hwang@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, September 5, 2017 10:35 AM
To: Szafran, Michele
<Michele.Szafran@edmondswa.gov>
Cc: Babe r <genward.hwang@gmail.com>
Subject: For your approval: Arborist Hazard Evaluation
Hello Michele,
Thank you for helping me out this morning. We had
a tree fall and barely miss our house during this last
heavy rainfall season and we've had several
arborists warn us about the hemlock which I am
writing about. They've all said to take it down as
soon as possible. It stands and hangs directly over
our house!
I spoke with a gentlemen from your department a
couple weeks ago and he looked up our plot and
said we would not need a permit but he did need an
arborist's write up and photos in order to approve
the hemlock removal.
Please see the attached arborists
evaluation/recommendation form as well as some
photos I took of the tree itself.
Please let me know if there is any further
information needed on my part.
Much appreciated!
Angela Hwang
(425) 773-8379
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<23915 102nd Ave. W..pdf>
<23915 102nd Ave. W. Site Plan.pdf>
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