PLN2023-0001 ResponseCITY 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
.Ile. 1 8y.,
March 10, 2023
Milton Cheung
9233 Olympic View Drive
Edmonds, WA 98020
Subject: Tree Removal Request within a Critical Area, PLN2023-0001
Dear Mr. Cheung,
I have reviewed your request to remove one 36-inch DBH1 Douglas fir tree on your property
located at the address shown above. The tree is located on a portion of the property that is a
mapped landslide hazard critical area/steep slope over 40%. Critical areas are regulated
pursuant to Edmonds City Development Code (ECDC) 23. 40 and 23. 80, which includes
restrictions on tree removal.
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 describing how the proposed tree removal meets this criteria.
DBH — Diameter at Breast Height, an industry standard for size of trunk measured at 4.5 feet from grade.
Your arborist provided a report and Tree Risk Assessor (TRAQ) form describing the tree in fair
condition with evidence of "mountain beaver populating and tunnelling under and around the
tree base and roots." Upon visiting the site, I observed the subject tree to be in excellent
condition with a dense crown, above average new growth and at least a 50 percent live crown
ration. Although some mountain beaver habitat was evident, it was not to the extent described
in a manner predisposing the tree to failure that would target the dwelling or that would score
under the TRAQ methodology as High or Extreme Overall Risk Rating.
As we discussed, the site and tree condition findings do not support that the tree fits hazard
tree criteria. Therefore, the request to remove a tree located in a critical area is denied.
To address the concern of potential limb failure under extreme winds that may target the
house, you were interested in having an arborist prune for end -weight reduction. A great online
resource to find a qualified arborist would be the referral service through the non-profit
organization PlantAmnesty.
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
2 "...live crown ratios less than 30 percent tend to break in winds when exposed, while those with live crown ratios
greater than 50 percent are more stable." Clark and Metheny, Trees and Development, 1998.