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20150724_MoreInfo_PLN20150001.pdf Public Comment to PLN20150001 TO: City of Edmonds FROM: Chris White Development Services Department nd Planning Division 23916 102 Ave. W Attn. Kernen Lien, Senior Planner Edmonds, WA 98020 th 121 - 5 Avenue North Edmonds, WA 98020 kernen.lien@edmondswa.gov CDWProEA@comcast.net 425.771.0220 x 1223 206.546.2282 DATE: 3/3/2015 RE: File No. PLN20150001 Public Comments No. Pages: 6 Dear Mr. Lien, rd Thanks for taking the time to speak with me last Monday. Per our conversation on the 23 with regard to th development of the lot associated with PLN20150001 at 23920 104 Avenue West, Edmonds, WA 98020 / Tax Parcel Number: 27033600303000, there are no current plans by the builder that indicate what, if any, of the existing tree canopy they will retain during the building of the subdivided lot. I understand that this plan will be developed and clarified during further review following the Public Comment period and wish to take this opportunity to express the importance of maintaining a balance between the current existing forest canopy on undeveloped land and new construction. As you and I have discussed, development in areas of dense forest growth often presents logistical challenges to the house manufacturer ease of access, etc., and removal of the majority of existing trees in these areas increases the risk of undermining stability of the remaining canopy. The former certainly adds cost to any builder but that should be a reasonable expectation when the tree canopy is such an important element of appeal to homebuyers in this neighborhood - especially when its adjacency to Sherwood Forest and Woodway are taken into consideration. The latter is, of course, a very real concern but if care is taken during building more of the existing tree canopy could be maintained. My family, the majority of our neighbors, and I really want to avoid any further housing development in the few and precious woodland spaces left in our neighborhood. If, however, development were to proceed, we hope that it would do so only after careful consideration to the native value of woodland spaces in this area, and we want to see stronger more reasonable efforts by builders to retain more of the existing tree canopy to strike a better balance between structural dwellings and the existing forest and to maintain a vital element to making this neighborhood a special place. With the above in mind, I have included below photos of small sampling of homes in the neighborhood that have maintained a reasonably sizeable portion of the existing tree canopy which remains healthy and stable. The proximity of these homes to each other is similar to those outlined in the plans for development of this lot th associated with PLN20150001 at 23920 104 Avenue West, Edmonds, WA 98020 / Tax Parcel Number: 27033600303000. 1 | Page Public Comment to PLN20150001 thth Homes to on SW 238 St. near 104 Ave. W - North Side thth Adjacent Homes on SW 238 St. near 104 Ave. W - South Side 2 | Page Public Comment to PLN20150001 thth Close-Up East Home on SW 238 St. near 104 Ave. W - South Side thth Close-Up West Home on SW 238 St. near 104 Ave. W - South Side 3 | Page Public Comment to PLN20150001 thth Adjacent Homes on 12 Ave. NW, Shoreline, WA Approximately 0.3 mi. South of 23920 104 Ave. W thth Home on 12 Ave. NW, Shoreline, WA Approximately 0.3 mi. South of 23920 104 Ave. W 4 | Page Public Comment to PLN20150001 thth Home on 13 Ave.N W Approximately 0.5 mi. Southwest of 23920 104 Ave. W (Shoreline) We all know that trees are very beneficial. Their many benefits include: reducing traffic noise, providing critically needed shelter for wildlife, helping to reduce residential energy usage by providing shade during the summer, and, of course, providing fresh air by reducing CO2 and exchanging it with oxygen (probably the most important). During the next phases of planning for this project, on behalf of my neighbors I implore you, the other members of the City of Edmonds Development Services Department - Planning Division, the builder, and the property owner to please consider our concerns and do all that is fair and reasonable to maintain as much of the existing tree canopy as possible. Please continue to help our neighborhood and the City of Edmonds meet the standards and support an Edmonds kind of place . 5 | Page Public Comment to PLN20150001 Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments. With regards and thanks, Christopher D. White Christopher D. White p.p. Margaret White Carl and Susan Harrington ndth 23916 102 Ave. W, 98020 23919 104 Ave. W, 98020 Tony Nalamliang, Kathy Suchoknand, and Tom and Ethel Moons th Prapai Ketsing 23923 104 Ave. W, 98020 th 23917 104 Ave. W, 98020 Carl Harrington th Katie Tibbets and Dustin Boyette 24019 104 Pl. W, 98020 nd 23914 102 Ave. W, 98020 6 | Page