Nuisance tree removal STF2021-0004CITY OF EDMONDS
121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds WA 98020
Phone: 425.771.0220 • Fax: 425.771.0221 • Web: www.edmondswa.gov
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT • PLANNING DIVISION
`ne. 18y1i
March 22, 2021
Glenn Simpson
glenns@evergreentic.com
Subject: Nuisance Tree Removal
23918 97th Place West
Dear Mr. Simpson,
You have contacted the City of Edmonds on behalf the property owners regarding the removal of a tree
on the property located at 23918 971h Place West. The tree has a diameter at breast height (DBH) of at
least 24 inches and thus is subject to the emergency ordinance for landmark trees adopted under
Ordinance No. 4217. Ordinance No. 4217 only allows the removal of landmark trees outside of the
development review process if the tree is a hazard tree or nuisance tree as defined by Edmonds
Community Development Code (ECDC) 23.10.020.G and 23.10.020.K.
Ordinance No. 4218 adopted new tree code in Chapter 23.10 ECDC which included the documentation
required for the removal of hazard and nuisance trees ECDC 23.10.040.F. For nuisance trees, ECDC
23.10.040.F.a provides:
Nuisance tree with documentation of the damage and any tree work that has been attempted to
rectify the nuisance, and/or a statement from the applicant's qualified tree professional explaining
why no arboricultural practices can safely rectify the nuisance.
You provided an email on March 22, 2021 with photos of the tree and the damage the tree is causing to
the driveway (attached) along with a description that root pruning is not an option as that would
destabilize the tree. The tree has also been cause roof and fence damage as well. The tree appears to
be a nuisance tree as defined by ECDC 23.10.020.K and may be removed. I understand this tree cutting
was scheduled prior to the emergency ordinance being adopted by the Council and PUD will be on the
site tomorrow morning because the tree is located near power lines.
ECDC 23.10.080 requires all significant trees removed to be replaced at a ratio determined by the DBH
of the tree being removed. Since the subject nuisance tree is greater the 14 inches, it is required to be
replaced at a ratio of three to one. ECDC 23.10.080.D notes the size of replacement trees must be 1.5
inch caliper for deciduous species and six feet in height for evergreen species.
The removal of the nuisance tree is approved with the following conditions:
1. This approval only pertains only to the nuisance tree identified in the attached March 22, 2021
email.
2. A minimum of three replacement trees must be planted. Native species are preferred as
indicated in ECDC 23.10.080.D.3.
3. Replacement trees must be planted within one year of removal of the hazard trees. Please
notify the City once the replacement trees have been replanted for an inspection.
4. Trees shall be fell onto private property.
5. Vehicles and equipment shall be located on private property. Should it be necessary to
utilize any portion of the City right-of-way, including the street or sidewalk, to perform
any of this work then the contractor shall apply for and obtain a right-of-way
construction permit in advance of starting work. A traffic control plan will be required
as part of the right-of-way permit application.
6. Contractor/owner is responsible for keeping all debris on site and preventing any silt
laden runoff from leaving the site and/or entering the city storm system.
7. Contractor/owner shall repair/replace any damaged sections of curb/gutter, sidewalk or
other public improvements in City right-of-way per City standards that is caused by or
occurs during the permitted project.
8. Contractor/owner is responsible for locating all on -site utilities and any utilities on
neighboring properties that could be impacted by the tree removal.
Relocation/revision/repair to any utilities may require separate permit.
Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at kernen.lien@edmondswa.gov, or 425-771-0220.
Sincerely,
Kernen Lien
Environmental Programs Manager
cc: Joan Cunha, Property Owner
Lien, Kernen
From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Follow Up Flag:
Flag Status:
Sent from my Wad
Begin forwarded message:
Glenn S <glenns@evergreentic.com>
Monday, March 22, 2021 9:22 AM
Lien, Kernen
Fwd: Edmonds Tree Regulations
Follow up
Flagged
From: Glenn S <GlennS@evergreentic.com>
Date: March 22, 2021 at 9:17:57 AM PDT
To: Glenn S <GlennS@evergreentic.com>
Subject: Re: Edmonds Tree Regulations
� r � _ ..'��'"'..^.•' 1 • .ice
L
Good morning Kernen. Here are some photos of a fir tree destroying my customers drive. Joan Cunha
23918 97th pl west Edmonds Washington 98020.
Root pruning would not be an option due to destabilizing the tree. I feel this tree falls into the nuisance
category and has also caused roof and fence damage as well. I wrote this up over a month ago and have
PUD coming tomorrow morning to assist with electrical lines. Customer is more than happy to replant
new trees, also there are no sensitive areas around. Thanks Glenn
Glenn Simpson
Certified Arborist
PN6464a
206-713-9207
Sent from my iPad
On Mar 22, 2021, at 6:09 AM, Glenn S <GlennS@evergreentic.com> wrote:
From: Lien, Kernen [mailto:Kernen.Lien@edmondswa.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, March 17, 2021 3:54 PM
To: Glenn S <glenns@evergreentic.com>
Subject: Edmonds Tree Regulations
9
Hi Glenn,
Attached are the tree regulations that were adopted by the City on March 2"d along with
the emergency ordinance prohibiting the removal of landmark trees (24-inch DBH and
larger). Landmark trees can only be removed if they are nuisance or hazard
trees. Hazard trees need to be documented on the ISA Tree Risk Assessment form. For
nuisance trees, the new code provides the following for to document the nuisance:
Nuisance tree with documentation of the damage and any tree work that has been
attempted to rectify the nuisance, and/or a statement from the applicant's qualified tree
professional explaining why no arboricultural practices can safely rectify the nuisance.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Kernen Lien I Environmental Programs Manager
City of Edmonds — Planning Division
425-771-0220 ext. 1223
<Edmonds Tree Related Regulations Council Adopted 03.02.21 Ord 4218
Attachments.pdf>
<2021-03-02 interim ordinance - landmark trees (002)2.pdf>
Confidentiality Notice: This e-mail message, including any attachments, is for the sole use of the intended
recipient(s) and may contain confidential and privileged information. Any unauthorized review, use, disclosure
or distribution is prohibited. If you are not the intended recipient, please contact the sender by reply e-mail and
destroy all copies of the original message