Waddingham Tree - 6903 Meadowdale Beach Rd.pdf'irc. 189.,
October 6, 2011.
x.✓ir�ANA. F ]EDMONDS
121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds WA 98020
Phone: 425.771.0220 ® Fax: 425.771.0221 ® Web: ;�N.ww.e ���no ldsw�l. y
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT - PLANNING DIVISION
Ms. Charlotte Waddingham
6903 Meadowdale Beach Rd.
Edmonds, WA 98026
Subject: Hazard Tree Removal at 6903 Meadowdale Beach Rd.
Code Enforcement Case #COD20110166
Dear Ms. Waddingham,
I am in receipt of the letter from arborist Glenn Simpson with Ever -Green Tree Care dated September 13, 2011
(enclosed) that you submitted in response to a complaint that the City of Edmonds received regarding the
cutting of two trees on your property addressed 6903 Meadowdale Beach Road (Code Enforcement Case
4COD20110166). Mr. Simpson's letter addresses the two alder trees that were cut on the southwestern side of
your property (located on the opposite side of the fence from your house) as well as two additional alder trees
that are located in the same general area as the two trees that were cut. Mr. Simpson concluded that the two
trees that were cut were hazardous and that the two additional trees are also hazardous. All of these trees are
located within an area that has slopes in excess of 15%. These slopes are considered critical areas pursuant to
Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) 23.40 and ECDC 23.80 where slopes in excess of 15% are
considered potential erosion hazard areas.
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 areas is regulated in the Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC) at Section 23.40.220.C.7.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.
hat:
i. The applicant submits a report from an ISA- or RSCA -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 some 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 inch in diameter at breast height (dbli) for deciduous trees and a
minimum of six feet in height for evergreen trees as measured f -om 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 above referenced letter by Glen Simpson (enclosed) identifies and describes the location and health of four
alder trees (two of which were already removed). Based on this information, it is clear that removal of these
trees is warranted as long as the requirements of ECDC 23.40.220.C.7.b are followed. ECDC
23.40.220.C.7.b.iv requires that hazard trees be replaced with new trees at a ratio of two -to -one. Thus, you
will need to replace the two trees that have already been cut at a ratio of two -to -one, for a total of four
replacement trees. If you choose to remove one or both of the additional two trees referenced by Mr. Simpson,
these trees must also be replaced at a ratio of two -to -one. Therefore, if all four trees referenced in Mr.
Simpson's letter are cut, a total of eight replacement trees must be planted.
It is at your discretion whether the trees are cut to stumps or are converted to snags and whether the cuttings
are left on the slope or removed. However, it should be noted that the stumps must not be removed and must
remain to maintain slope stability. 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 area. The
replacement trees must be installed using the same techniques in the general area that the trees were cut.
An exemption for the tree cutting is granted with the following conditions:
1. Only the four trees identified in the September 13, 2011 letter from Glenn Simpson with Ever -Green
Tree Care (enclosed) may be cut. No additional trees may be cut without further review and approval
by the Planning Division.
2. Cut trees must be replace at a ratio of two -to -one consistent with ECDC 23.40.220.C.7.b.iv within one
year of tree the tree cutting activity.
3. Replacement trees should be planted in the general vicinity of the cut trees.
4. Pursuant to ECDC 23.40.220.C.7.b, replacement trees shall be a minimum of one inch diameter at
breast height for deciduous trees and a minimum of six feet in height for evergreen trees as measured
from the top of the root ball.
5. Contact the Planning Division at (425) 771-0220 for an inspection once the replacement trees have
been planted.
If you have any questions, you are welcome to contact me at (425) 771-0220.
Sincerely,
Jen Machuga
Associate Planner
Encl: Ever -Green Tree Care Letter Dated 9/13/11
Cc: Mike Thies, Code Enforcement
Street File for 6903 Meadowdale Beach Rd.
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Ever Green, Tree Car
Glenn Simpson
316211 Issaaquab Pine 1.Ac Road
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Saaw' ni amish, WA 9"75
206-713-9207
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