Staff Report Nuisance Tree Removal STF 2021-0017CITY OF EDMONDS
121 5t" Avenue North, Edmonds WA 98020
Phone: 425.771.0220 • Fax: 425.771.0221 • Web: www.edmondswa.gov
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT • PLANNING DIVISION
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June 29, 2021
Greg Bruzelius
gregbruzeliuskhotmail.com
Subject: Nuisance Tree Removal
21520 — 86"' Ave West
Dear Mr. Bruzelius,
You have contacted the City of Edmonds regarding the removal of four trees on the property located at
21520 — 86"' Avenue West. The four trees have diameters at breast height (DBH) of at least 24 inches and
thus are 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 documentation with photos of the trees and the damage the tree is causing to the foundation
and sewer lines (attached) along with a description that root pruning is not an option as a large portion of
the root mass would need to be removed to remediate the damage and that would destabilize and/or
negatively impact the health of the trees. The trees appear to be nuisance trees as defined by ECDC
23.10.020.K and may be removed.
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 trees are 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 four nuisance trees identified in the attached report.
2. A minimum of twelve 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 amber. rg oll(&edmondswa.gov, or 425-771-0220.
Sincerely,
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Amber Groll
Planner