STF20180009 Hazard Tree Decision.pdf
CITY OF EDMONDS
th
121 5Avenue North, Edmonds WA98020
Phone: 425.771.0220 • Fax: 425.771.0221 • Web: www.edmondswa.gov
DEVELOPMENT SERVICESDEPARTMENT•PLANNING DIVISION
April 27, 2018
Matt Bolin
Vector 1, LLC
P.O. Box13377
Everett, WA 98206
mbolin@usacmtg.com
Subject: Hazard Tree Removal at 8364 Olympic View Drive, File No. STF20180009
Dear Mr. Bolin:
You submitted an application form, cover letter and supporting documents on April 3, 2018 regarding
your proposal to remove 11 hazardous trees from the property addressed 8364 Olympic View Drive. For
reference, I am enclosing all of the materials that you submitted regarding this request.As you are aware,
the subject site has obtained preliminary and civil short plat approvaland is awaitingfinal short plat
review and approval (File No. PLN20120021).Also, as you are aware, the site contains slopes that
qualify as both Landslide and Erosion Hazard Areas as defined in ECDC Chapters 23.40 and 23.80, and a
Vegetation Management Plan was reviewed and approved for the subject site as part of the short plat
processpursuant to the requirements of ECDC 23.90.040.C.The conditions of preliminary short plat
approval confirm that any tree cutting on the site mustbe consistent with the requirements of ECDC
Chapter 18.45and the applicable critical areas code requirements of ECDC Chapters 23.40 and 23.80,
including the 30% native vegetation requirements ofECDC 23.90.040.C.
Generally,the removal of trees, or any 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. Removal of hazardous
trees in critical areasand their associated buffersis regulated in the Edmonds Community Development
Code (ECDC) Section 23.40.220.C.8.b. Such removal is an allowed activity as indicated by the code
below:
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 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;
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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
approvedrestoration 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 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;
Your cover letter indicates that you are requesting permission to remove 11 trees, whichare identified as
Trees # 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 11, 12, 17, 40, 41, and42. These tree numbers correspond with the trees identified
within thesupplemental information you provided including the letter from Arborists NWLLC, the ISA
Basic Tree Risk Assessment Forms, photographs, and on the site plan.All but one of these trees was
identified by your arborist, Neal Baker (ISA Cert. PN1075A), as having a high risk rating. The only tree
that was identified with a lowerrisk rating was Tree # 4, which is a cherry tree located to the southeast of
the existing garage. This tree was identified as having a moderate risk,but is in poor health based on the
information presented within the tree risk assessment form for this tree.
Based on staff’s analysis of the materials you provided, it is clear that removal of the 11requested treesis
warranted (Trees # 2, 3,4,5, 7, 11, 12, 17, 40, 41, and42)as long as the requirements of ECDC
23.40.220.C.8.b are followed, including the requirement of ECDC 23.40.220.C.8.b.iv that hazard trees be
replaced with new trees at a ratio of two-to-one.Your submittal materials included a request to not
provide replacement trees for Trees # 12, 17, and 41since these three trees would likely be impacted by
future development on proposed Lots A and B. However, the subdivision has not yet received final
approval, and since the removal of these trees is being requested currentlyunder the provisions of ECDC
23.40.220.C.8.b.ivand not as part of a separate building permit application, the replacement requirement
of ECDC 23.40.220.C.8.b.iv must be met. Thus, all 11 hazardous trees to be removed under the subject
request must be replaced at a two-to-one ratio for a total of 22 replacement trees as further described
below.
An exemption for the cutting of the 11requested trees(Trees # 2, 3,4,5, 7, 11, 12, 17, 40, 41, and42) as
discussed aboveand within the enclosuresis granted with the following conditions:
1.Only thecutting of the 11treesidentified on the site plan and supporting materials as Trees # 2,
3,4,5, 7, 11, 12, 17, 40, 41, and42may be conducted.No additionaltrees may be cut without
further review and approval by the Planning Division.
2.It is at thediscretion of your arborist whether the cuttings are left within the critical area or
removed. It is preferredthat the trees are cut to wildlife snags, but they may be cut to stumps at
the discretion of your arborist. The stumpsof all of the trees to be cutmust not beremoved and
must remain in place in order to help maintain slope stability.
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3.All work must be done using hand labor and light (hand-held) equipment, and appropriate erosion
control must be implemented to minimize impacts to the critical areas. The replacement trees
must be installed using the same techniques in the general area that the subject trees are cut.
4.All11treesmust be replaced at a ratio of two-to-one consistent with ECDC 23.40.220.C.8.b.iv
within one year of tree the tree cutting activity.Replacement trees should be planted in the
general vicinity of each of the cut trees, keeping in mind that the trees should be located in areas
that will not be impacted by the future development of proposed Lots A and B of the subdivision
(File No. PLN20120021).For example,theeight new trees replacing Trees # 12, 17,40 and41
should be located to the south of these existing trees within the native vegetation area where they
will be out of the footprint of future development onproposedLots A and B.
5.Pursuant to ECDC 23.40.220.C.8.b, replacement treesshallbe of species that are native and
indigenous to the site and a minimum ofone to two inches indiameter at breast height(dbh)for
deciduous trees and a minimum of six feet in height for evergreen trees as measured from the top
of the root ball.
6.Following installation of all replacement trees, provide the Planning Division with documentation
including photographic evidence that the required replacement trees were installed consistent
with the aboverequirements.
If you have any questions, pleasecontact me at Jen.Machuga@edmondswa.govor (425) 771-0220.
Sincerely,
Jen Machuga
Associate Planner
Encl:Land Use Application Form
Cover Letter from Matt Bolin dated 3/29/18
Letter Regarding Civil Plan Approval dated 11/13/17
Letter from Arborists NW, LLC dated 3/24/18
ISA Basic Tree Risk Assessment Forms
Photographs of Subject Trees
Site Plan Indicating Trees Proposed for Removal
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