Hazard landmark tree removal STF2021-0010CITY OF EDMONDS
121 5tn Avenue North, Edmonds WA 98020
Phone: 425.771.0220 • Fax: 425.771.0221 • Web: www.edmondswa.gov
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT • PLANNING DIVISION
`ne. I STJ
April 19, 2021
John Bacon
iohn@baconblvd.com
Subject: Hazard Landmark Tree Removal at 926 Spruce St.
Dear Mr. Bacon,
Thank you for contacting the City of Edmonds regarding the removal of a 32-inch Douglas fir
located at 726 Spruce St. The subject tree has a diameter at breast height (DBH) greater than
24 inches and so is subject to the emergency ordinance for landmark trees adopted under
Ordinance No. 4217. Ordinance No. 4217 allows for the removal of landmark trees outside of
the development review process only if the tree is a hazard or nuisance 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 includes the
documentation required to justify the removal of hazard and nuisance trees exempt from
permit in ECDC 23.10.040.F. For landmark hazard trees not located on slopes greater than 25%,
ECDC 23.10.040.F.2 provides:
Hazard tree located outside a critical area with a tree risk assessment prepared by the
applicant's qualified professional documenting how the tree meets the definition of a
hazard tree.
On April 14, 2021, you provided documentation to justify that the subject fir meets the
standard for removal as a hazard tree:
"Hazard tree" means a tree that is dead, dying, diseased, damaged, structurally defective
or exposed by recent removal of adjacent trees, which makes it subject to a high
probability of failure as determined by a qualified tree professional.
The attached photos and TRAQ forms identify the fir as a high hazard due to crown failure at a
previously topped location. The proposed method to cure the defect is to cut the tree to a
wildlife snag of about 30'.
As a result, the cutting of the referenced fir tree as a hazard per ECDC 23.10.040.F.2 is allowed
subject to the following conditions:
1. A 30' wildlife snag will remain.
2. Trees shall be fell onto private property.
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. 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.
If you have any questions, please contact me at michael.clugston@edmondswa.gov or 425-771-
0220.
Sincerely,
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Mike Clugston, AICP
Senior Planner
Attachments