PLN2022-0063 APPROVED Blaikie_Blankenship Haz Tree RemovalsCITY 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
fnC. 18ym
October 28, 2022
Peter, Tom and Ruth Blaikie
1031 Brookmere Drive
Edmonds, WA 98020
thomasgroupllc@msn.com
ruthblaike@aol.com
Subject: PLN2022-0063 — Hazardous Tree Removal Request within a Critical Area
Dear Mr. and Ms. Blaikie,
I received your request for the removal of several hazardous trees on your and an adjacent
property owned by Deidre Blankenship at 305 Caspers Street. Trees #1 and 2 are on the Blaikie
property and Trees #5-7 are on the Blankenship property. The previously fallen trunk of Tree #4
originates on the Blankenship property, crosses the Shell Creek and rests on the ground on the
Blaikie property.
Note that both properties consist of multiple critical areas and fish and wildlife habitat
conservation areas related to Shell Creek (classified as an anadromous fish -bearing stream),
mapped wetlands and their associated buffers shown on the aerial map below. Critical areas
are regulated pursuant to Edmonds City Development Code (ECDC) 23. 40-70 and 23. 90, which
includes restrictions on tree removal. Per ECDC 23.40.220.C.8.e: ... removal of any vegetation or
woody debris from a fish and wildlife habitat conservation area or wetland shall be prohibited.
Ell
Tree removal in critical areas and their buffers is not an allowed activity unless it involves the
removal of hazard trees posing a threat to public safety, or posing an imminent risk of damage
to private property (ECDC 23.40.220.C.8(b)). The City requires documentation from a qualified
professional (your arborist) describing how proposed tree removals in critical areas meet this
criterion, typically with the submittal of a Tree Risk Assessors' (TRAQ) form.
You submitted TRAQ forms for five trees, Trees #1, 2, 5, 6, 7 that document how each fits
hazard tree criteria per ECDC 23.10.020.H. Having previously failed at the base, Tree #4 does
not fit hazard tree criteria; however, you are requesting to remove the remaining downed trunk
that crosses over Shell Creek onto your property. In summary, your request is to:
1. Completely remove Trees #1 and 2 to stumps at/near grade and all resulting brush.
2. Remove the remaining trunk from downed Tree #4.
3. Convert Trees #5-7 to 20' height wildlife snags and remove all resulting brush.
The complete removal of Trees #1, 2 as proposed is denied pursuant to ECDC 23.40.220.C.8.e.
To abate the hazard tree condition while minimizing impacts to the critical areas, Trees #1, 2, 5
and 6 may be converted to 10-20' height wildlife snags with the removal of resulting trunk
sections and brush from outside the streambed only. To clarify, the upper portion of these trees
will need to be removed in a manner that does not allow branches, brush or trunk sections to
drop into the streambed (i.e., zipline, access from Blankenship property, crane, etc.).
Tree #7, which leans away from the streambed towards the Blankenship house, is approved to
be converted to a 20' height wildlife snag and all brush cleared away, as recommended by the
arborist, due to its distance from Shell Creek.
Tree #4, the fallen tree trunk, may be cut/removed up to 6' on either side of the streambed.
The trunk section over the streambed may only be removed in a manner that does not allow it
to drop into the streambed.
Tree removal in any other manner, such as the complete removal of Trees #1 and 2 to stumps
and/or the removal of branches or trunk sections from Trees #4-6 that results in any debris
entering the streambed is prohibited without meeting the critical areas report, special study
and any restoration requirements per ECDC 23.90.020. Critical area reports for two or more
critical areas must meet the requirements for each relevant type of critical area. You may
contact the Planning Division for more information on obtaining critical area reports at (425)
771-0220 or planning@edmondswa.gov.
Wildlife snags that result in the removal of greater than 50 percent of the live crown of the tree
are considered tree removal per ECDC 23.10.020.V. Two (2) replacement trees must be planted
for each tree removed within critical areas per ECDC 23.40.220.8.b.iv. The planting plan
indicates six (6) native trees are proposed to be planted on the Blankenship property to replace
the snags created by Trees #5-7 and four (4) native trees are proposed to be planted on the
Blaikie property to replace the snags created by Trees #1 and 2. Replacement trees shall be a
minimum of 1-2 inches DBH for deciduous trees and a minimum of six feet in height for
evergreen trees as measured from the top of the root ball.
Replacement trees must be installed within one year of the snags/removals. Please provide
photos of each of the planted replacement trees to verify installation.
If you have any questions, please let me know at deb.powers@edmondswa.gov or 425-771-
0220.
Sincerely,
Deb Powers, Urban Forest Planner
Planning Division, City of Edmonds
cc: Deidre Blankenship
catwing@me.com