Main Street Tree Removal.pdfDate:
To:
From:
Subject:
MEMORANDUM
May 5, 2009
Chuck Hiatt, Edmonds Public Wpr ; Street Lead
Kernen Lien, Associate Planner
Removal of Hazard Trees in the 9 0 —1000 Block of Main Street
Public Works approached the Planning Division about removing some hazard trees in the
900 —1000 block of Main Street. There are seventeen alder trees on two city owned
properties (TPN 00434204003600 and 00434206702700) along Main Street that exhibit
severe lean over Main Street threatening utility lines and safe travel along Main Street.
Pursuant to ECDC 18.45.030.D, the removal of hazard trees are exempt from the City of
Edmonds tree removal regulations. However there are critical areas associated with this site as
well. The hazard trees are Iocated within the buffer of Shell Creek and/or the buffer of wetlands
associated with Shell Creek. Hazard trees may also be removed from critical areas and there
associated buffers, provided the tree removal is consistent with ECDC 23.40.220.C.7.b which
states:
The removal of trees from critical areas and buffers that are hazardous, posing a threat to
public safety, or posing an imminent risk of damage to private property; provided, that.-
i.
hat:
i. The applicant submits a report from an ISA- or ASCA-certified arborist or registered
landscape architect that documents the hazard and provides a replanting schedule for the
replacement trees;
ii. Tree cutting shall be limited to pruning and crown thinning, unless otherwise justified by
a qualified professional. Where pruning or crown thinning is not sufficient to address the
hazard, trees should be removed or converted to wildlife snags;
iii. All vegetation cut (tree stems, branches, etc.) shall be left within the critical area or
buffer unless removal is warranted due to the potential for disease or pest transmittal to
other healthy vegetation or unless removal is warranted to improve slope stability;
iv. The land owner shall replace any trees that are removed with new trees at a ratio of two
replacement trees for each tree removed (two to one) within one year in accordance with an
approved restoration plan. Replacement trees may be planted at a different, nearby location
if it can be determined that planting in the same location would create a new hazard or
potentially damage the critical area. Replacement trees shall be species that are native and
City of Edmonds
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 heightfor evergreen trees as measured from the
top of the root ball;
v. If a tree to be removed provides critical habitat, such as an eagle perch, a qualified
wildlife biologist shall be consulted to determine timing and methods of removal that will
minimize impacts; and
vi. Hazard trees determined to pose an imminent threat or danger to public health or safety,
to public or private property, or of serious environmental degradation may be removed or
pruned by the land owner prior to receiving written approval from the city; provided, that
within 14 days following such action, the land owner shall submit a restoration plan that
demonstrates compliance with the provisions of this title;
The City of Edmonds' certified arborist, Dave Timbrook, submitted a report demonstrating
compliance with ECDC 23.40.220.C.7.b. The hazard trees may be removed and the site must be
replanted consistent with the report submitted by Mr. Timbrook. (Attached)
The hazard trees being removed must be replanted at a ratio of 2:1. There is still some question
as to where the replacement trees will be planted. There would be crowding issues if all the
replacement trees were planted between Main Street and Shell Creek. The City of Edmonds
owns the two parcels where the trees are being removed from (00434204003600 and
00434206702700) as well as some unopened right-of-way (10`h Ave). Strategically scattering the
replacement trees throughout this property would ultimately prove to be more beneficial to the
critical area than packing all the trees between Main Street and Shell Creek. Specific planting
locations of the replacement trees may be evaluated following the hazard tree removal.
Replacement tree must be planted within one year and meet the size requirements specified in
ECDC 23.40.220.7.b.iv.
Once the replanting has occurred, please document compliance how the replanting actually
occurred and submit a report to document compliance with ECDC 23.40.220.7.b.iv (Site map
showing where trees where planted, include species, size and when planting occured).
MAIN STREET TREE REMOVAL
At the request of Public Works I was asked to assess the condition of the trees on
the North side of the 900 block of Main Street.
The site is along a major roadway and is considered a critical area due to the
watershed drainage through the site.
The trees of concern are Red Alders that border the south property line of the city
owned lots. The trees are for the most part range between 7 and 24 inches in diameter
with a height range of 45 to 80 feet.
The trees are growing on a fairly steep slope that drops down to the stream bed_
The soil has a generally sandy structure and poses a problem with stability since all of the
trees in question have a significant lean.
Due to the fact this is a major roadway into Edmonds and with the addition of the
power lines under these trees removal has been requested.
Edmonds city code 23.40.0220 requires the replacement of any trees removes at a
two to one ratio. There are 15 trees on parcel ID 00434204003600 and 7 trees on parcel
ID 00434206702700 that are slated for removal. Since the number of replacement plants
for the larger lot might create a slight overcrowding problem, some of the plants will be
placed on the second parcel. Some smaller native tree species such as Vine Maple and
Pacific Dogwood as well as some Western Red Cedar are recommended due to the soil
moisture levels. Redtwig Dogwood should be planted to provide some understory
growth. Replacement plants should be planted preferably in the fall as the need for
supplemental watering will not be as high and will increase their chances of survival.
There are two trees that could be considered for wildlife snags by leaving a 12-20 foot
stump.
Both parcels of land have had the trees marked that are being removed. A reap of
these trees and the approximate locations of the replacement plants is included in this
report.
Flags or stakes will be placed by the Arborist for each replacement plant to be
installed after removal has taken place. By doing this we will have a better idea or where
the plants should go in relation to those removed.
Dave Timbrook ISA #PN 1199 514109
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