mcmahonn 1.3.17.pdff,6C. 1890
January 3, 2017
CITY OF EDMONDS DAVE EARLING
MAYOR
121 5th AVENUE NORTH • EDMONDS, WA 98020 • (425) 771-0220 • fax (425) 771-0221
www.edmondswa,gov
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Geoffrey McMahon &
Deborah Vanderhei
18416 High St.
Edmonds, WA. 98020
...................................................
Case: # COD2017-0001
Subject property: 18416 High St., Edmonds, WA. 98020
Dear Mr. McMahon & Ms. Vanderhei,
The City has received a complaint regarding tree cutting on the western slope of 18416 High Street. The site of the tree cutting
occurred on property that includes slopes up to 40% and in some areas, over 40%. This area is classified as a critical area pursuant to
Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) 23.40 and 23.80. Since the site of the tree cutting activity was located within a
critical area, a tree cutting permit and critical area review would have been required prior pursuant to ECDC 18.45.020 and ECDC
23.40. No such review was requested from the City of Edmonds in conjunction with the subject tree cutting. Please note that your
tree cutting professional should have been aware of critical area regulations in Washington State.
It appears the cutting may have occurred due to tree health issues related to the split trunk. In any case, please contact the "Planner on
Duty" at City Hall or 425-771-0220 to discuss the occurrence and what information may be required to assess the activity. Tree
cutting in a critical area for hazard trees is regulated as follows:
ECDC 23.40.220 Allowed activities.
C. Allowed Activities. The following activities are allowed:
8. Select Vegetation Removal Activities. The following vegetation removal activities:
b. 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. The applicant submits a reportfrom •om 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
(2: 1) 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 indigenous to the site and a minimum of one to two inches in diameter at breast
height (dbh) for deciduous trees and a minimum of six feet in height for evergreen trees as measured f rom the top of the root ball;
v. Ifa 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 approvalfrom •om 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;
Please contact the Planning Division by January 18, 2016 and submit the required information within 30 days. If you have any
technical or procedural questions, please contact the Planning Division at 425-771-0220. If you have any questions regarding this
letter, please contact me at the same number.
Sincerely,
Mike Thies
Code Enforcement Inspector
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Planning
• Incorporated August 11, 1890 •
Sister City - Hekinan, Japan