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MeadowviewEstatesNativeVegeation_Comment_20160128.pdf`1)c. 1'`t`" January 28, 2016 CITY OF EDMONDS 1215 1h Avenue North, Edmonds WA 98020 Phone: 425.771.0220 * Fax: 425.771.0221 * Web: www.edmondswa DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT * PLANNING DIVISION Kent Halverson 12515 Willows RD NE, Suite 220 Kirkland, WA 98034 l c i,ci)lialvo soilconstriieti(>n oti Subject: Meadowview Estates Native Vegetation Plan Dear Mr. Halverson, As you are aware, the Meadowview Estates preliminary approval requires a 30% native vegetation area as required by ECDC 23.90.040.C, which is to be established as a native growth protection easement. Condition of approval 6.b.iii(b) describes the language of the native growth protection easement to be recorded on the face of the plat, which states: No tree(s), shrub(s) or ground cover shall be removed from the native growth protection easement unless documentation is submitted that can demonstrate that the removal will enhance the easement area and will not impact slope stability. Enhancement may include nonmechanical removal of noxious or intrusive species or dead or diseased plants and replanting of appropriate native species. The native growth protect easement may be maintained consistent with the native vegetation plan located in File No. PLN20140015. On December 30, 2015, a number of documents prepared by Suzanne Tomassi of Avia Environmental Consulting were submitted to the City of Edmonds which included a Wildlife Habitat Assessment, Maintenance Plan, and Mitigation Plan. This material responds to some tree cutting on property not associated with the Meadowview Estates short plat as well as the native vegetation area. The materials describe topping of trees to open and maintain view corridors on the subject property. As noted in the easement language above, trees in the easement area can only be cut if it can be demonstrated that the cutting activity will enhance the easement area. The City of Edmonds will be sending out the submitted materials for peer review to verify that the proposed cutting would enhance the native growth protection easement area as required by the preliminary approval of the subdivision. A second part of the easement language is that any cutting will not impact slope stability. The submitted materials do not address slope stability. The July 12, 2013 geotechnical report prepared by Geotech Consultants Inc. noted that the 25 feet of buffer closest to the steep western slope should be left as -is. Since the proposal calls for the topping of trees on the slope, the proposal must be reviewed by a geotechnical engineer to assess with the cutting of the trees on the slope will impact slope stability. Please have the Native Vegetation Plan reviewed by Geotech Consultants Inc. (or other qualified geotechnical engineers). Given this is within the North Edmonds Earth Subsidence Landslide Hazard Area, the geotechnical report will also be peer reviewed as required by ECDC 19.10. The City will send out the materials for habitat assessment while we await the geotechnical report. Once the geotechnical report is received, that will also be sent out for peer review. Please let me know if you have any questions. SIKIetely, crneti Lien Senior Planner.