RequestForReconsideration-Response.pdf/�? C. 1 ?,g 1)
November 8, 2007
CITY OF EDMONDS
121 5TH AVENUE NORTH - EDMONDS, WA 98020 - (425,) 771-0220 - FAX (425) 771-0221
Website: wwwoLedmondsma.us
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Planning - Budding - Engineering
Ross Conley
21116 Pioneer Way
Edmonds WA 98026
RE: REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION (CU -2007-22).
Dear Mr. Conley,
GARY HAAKENSON
MAYOR
You have submitted a formal Request for Reconsideration to file CU -2007-22, an approved Conditional
Use Permit for tree removal at 21116 Pioneer Way in the Single -Family Residential (RS -8) zone, I have
reviewed your request, along with the photos you submitted, and especially the response and
recommendation letter from your arborist (See enclosures).
Your specific request is to revise one of the conditions of approval (page 6, condition 1):
From: "Create wild/V& snag of the standingfibur Douglas-firslumps. Do not further reduce the height
(,?I'the,,f(iurDougletv-firsttttnps'. Reftr to the page tilled "Create a Wildli/e Snag" in the arborist report.
To: "Do not reduce the height of the four Douglas -fir stumps below ground level in order to maintain the
existing root structure. Utilize removed stump wood.for landscape terracing, which wouldprovide an
alternate way to promote habitat and intpro i;e slope conditions. "
The proposed revision to the above condition is APPROVED. The Applicant has demonstrated, through
the enclosed documentation, that further reducing the height of the stumps will not increase the slope
stability. If fact, the proposed new condition will not only promote habitat (as encouraged by
Comprehensive Plan policies) but will provide nutrients to the soil for establishing plants, which can help
anchor the soil. Staff feels that this is a reasonable approach to this situation.
i r you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at (425) 771-0220, extension 1778 or via
ernail at eoccia@ci.cdrnonds,wa,us,
Sincerely,
Gina Coccia
Planner
Enc: Request lor Reconsideration Letter by Applicant (Received 10/16/2007).
Arborist letter outlining analysis of'slope stability and root structure,
Photographs taker) by Applicant,
cc: File CU -2007-22
Linda Skurdal & Steve Kirkpatrick: 21090 88"' Place West, Edmonds WA 98026
Incorporated August .11, 1890
Sister City - Hekinan, s.Japan
Ross Conley
21116 Pioneer Way
Edmonds, WA 98026
Date: October 16, 2007.
To: City of Edmonds
Attention: Gina Coccia, Rob Chave, Duane Bowman
C ,
0"" 6
r1A1VAJ1JVr
M
Subject: Request for Reconsideration to CU-2007-22,Tree Cutting Conditional Use
Permit, approved on 1004-07, for Ross Conley property, 21116 Pioneer Way, Edmonds
WA 98026.
I have reviewed the staff report decision for Tree Cutting conditional permit CU -2007-22
for my property at 21116 Pioneer Way, and agree with the conditions with the exception
of condition 1. on page 6 which am I respectfully requesting reconsideration (ref Section
20.95.050.8.I.
Ike vest:
Revise permit CU -2007-22, page 6, condition 1.
From:
"]. Create wildlife snag of the standing stumps. Do not further reduce the height of four
Douglas -fir stumps. Refer to the page titled "Create a Wildlife Snag" in the arborist
report."
To:
"L Do not reduce the height of the four Douglas -fir stumps below ground level in order
to maintain existing root structure. Utilize removed stump wood for landscape terracing
which would provide an alternate way to promote habitat and improve slope conditions."
Reason for the request:
To allow for reduction of the four fir tree stumps and remove the requirement to create
wildlife snags. The attached Report Addendum from Arborist Sean Dugan explains why
this can be accomplished without reducing the stability of the bank and still retain
wildlife habitat.
The property owner does not accept the risk of failing stumps discussed in the Report
Addendum. In addition, the decaying stumps will be an ongoing maintenance issue.
To improve the appearance of the property. Neighbors to the North and South of the
21116 property have expressed dissatisfaction with the poor appearance of the stumps
(refer to the attached photograph).
An alternate way of promoting habitat and improving slope conditions has been provided.
Pg. 112
Please contact myself at 425-248-7552 should you have any questions.
Sincerely'
X4,1, �;�
Ross Conley
21116 Pioneer Way
Edmonds, WA 98026
Attachments: 1. Report Addendum from Sean Dugan, Certified arborist, dated 10-15
2007.
2. Reference photograph of 21116 Pioneer Way property
Addendum
'ro:
,.JOB SITE
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
Mr. Conley,
Ross Conley
21116 Mot recw Way
Sean Dugan
October 151�', 2007
Report
ConSLJH'ir�g Arborists
'rlw, "free Risk Assessment report furnished by Tree Soh,rtions on NoveNTILxn- 28"' 2006 discusses
observatioris rnade on site and includes several reconintericlatiom, for reducing the potentia, i for SUrface
water- rtrooff, improving dope stability and rnaintaiNng forest health. One re(mmmcmdation stated on
page 4 of the report is to "Create wildlife snag of standing stunips", 'This suggestion was r-nade as a way
to promote wildlife habitat and is always recommended by'Tree SOlUtiOnS before rernovirto atree
completely. Creation of the wildlife snag is at the discretion of the property nianager.
A snag It is not a condition for r-naintaining the longevity of the remaining roots. Therefore,
reduction of all fOLIF StUMPS to a height of ground level would riot r(,-,,d:u(.e the longev4y of the ren,wining
roots or reduce the stability of the bank. Root longevity is based only on the sturnp reniaining in tact riot
the height of the truck. In fact, snags often fail at the base due to crown rot where soil is in contm-;t with
tVie tree or, as YOU may see in, this case, the snags niay fail duie to, ti'm presence of root de c,;iy ir r("e
with Arrnfflaria.spp, fungus. In this situatlon the Conley residence may be .,it risk frorn tall snags,
An alternative way these logs could bi,.':, to prornote habitat and improve slope conditions would be
to cut, them at the base and place thern in Vie landscaple on the slope as as rneans of natural terracing.
When the logs are intact with soil the decay rate inereases and provides woodpedwrs with, a UsefUll Me
for foraging insects. As these logs decay they trap soil lbehind and provide mitrients to establishing plants
that can help, anchor soil.
If YOU have any qUestions regarding this, matter please contact nae at (206) 528-46'M
RespecIf ully
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ii .5ugan JT QM FoR
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