HomeMy WebLinkAboutLUA24-000348_Bruan_Tree_Removal_RVMP_CAE_FINALDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption
PLANNING DIVISION
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT AND
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FROM CRITICAL
AREA REGULATIONS
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: January 16, 2025
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA24-000348, RVMP, CAE
PROJECT NAME: Bruan Tree Removal
PROJECT MANAGER: Brianna Burroughs, Associate Planner
APPLICANT/CONTACT: John Cvikota
The Davey Tree Expert Company
8622 S 222nd St, Kent, WA 98032
OWNER: Rufo Bruan
15429 SE 67th Pl, Bellevue, WA 98006
PROJECT LOCATION: 1740 S 27th St, Renton, WA 98055 (APN 0088000850)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Routine Vegetation Management Permit (RVMP)
and a Critical Areas Exemption (CAE) to remove two (2) black cottonwood (Populus Trichocarpa) trees
located at 1740 S 27th St (APN 0088000850). According to the Arborist Report, dated August 6, 2024, and the
Tree Risk Assessment, dated July 31, 2024, prepared by Arborist John Cvikota (ISA Certified Arborist), the two
(2) proposed trees for removal are a fifty-two inch (52”) diameter at breast height (DBH) black cottonwood
(Tree #1) and a fifty-four inch (54”) DBH codominant stem black cottonwood (Tree #2) (Attachments A and
C). On December 10, 2024, the Arborist updated his assessment of Tree #2 from “good” to “poor,” stating
that the likelihood of failure is probable. In November of 2024 there was a storm which downed one (1) of the
codominant stems on Tree #2. According to the updated report, the failure to withstand the storm was due
to “a rotted and unstable base”. The subject property is approximately 115,434 square feet (2.65 acres) in
area and is situated within the Residential-8 (R-8) zone and within the Benson Community Planning Area.
The applicant is proposing to remove two (2) black cottonwood trees, aiming to mitigate the risk of damage
to the property. Majority of the property is covered in trees and vegetation. The applicant has noted on their
Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet that there are over 100 trees on the property. According to City of
Renton (COR) maps, there is a wetland mapped on the neighboring property to the west (APN 0088000831)
and the trees proposed for removal are within approximately 100 feet (100’) of an unclassified wetland.
CRITICAL AREA: Wetland Buffer
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City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit Bruan Tree Removal LUA24-000348, RVMP, CAE
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Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: Renton Municipal Code, Section 4-3-050C.3.c.iii Dangerous Trees: Removal
of non-native invasive ground cover or weeds listed by King County Noxious Weed Board or other government
agency or dangerous trees, as defined in Chapter 4-11 RMC which have been approved by the City and
certified dangerous by a licensed landscape architect, or certified arborist, selection of whom to be
approved by the City based on the type of information required. Limited to cutting of dangerous trees; such
hazardous trees shall be retained as large woody debris in critical areas and/or associated buffers, where
feasible.
RMC 4-3-050.C.3.c.iii EXEMPT, PROHIBITED AND NONCONFORMING ACTIVITIES: Activities taking place in
critical areas and their associated buffers and listed in the “Exempt Activities – Permitted Within Critical
Areas and Associated Buffers” table are exempt from the applicable provisions of Section 4-3-050, provided
this letter of exemption has been issued.
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT REVIEW CRITERIA 4-9-195D.4:
YES 1. The lot shall comply with minimum tree density requirements pursuant to RMC 4-4-
130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations.
Staff Comments: In accordance with RMC 4-4-130.H, compliance with tree credit
requirements necessitates a minimum rate of 30 tree credits per net acre. The tree
risk assessment area and subject property (APN 0088000850) covers 115,434 square
feet (2.65 acres). As specified by the ISA Basic Tree Risk Assessment Form
(Attachment D), the first black cottonwood (Populus Trichocarpa) tree proposed for
removal, known as Tree #1, has a diameter at breast height (DBH) of fifty-two (52”)
inches. The second black cottonwood (Populus Trichocarpa) tree proposed for
removal, known as Tree #2, has a diameter at breast height (DBH) of (54”) inches.
Considering the site’s total area of approximately 2.65 net acres and that most of the
site is covered in over 100 trees, as identified by the arborist (Attachment C), the
removal of these two (2) landmark trees would not require replanting. The applicant
is proposing to remove the trees to 10 feet (10’) and create wildlife snags for each tree
as a mitigation measure due to the proximity to the offsite wetland. Refer to the
Critical Area Exemption Findings below for additional mitigation information.
YES 2. The land clearing and tree removal shall be consistent with restrictions for critical
areas, pursuant to RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations, and
RMC 4-3-050, Critical Areas Regulations.
Staff Comments: City of Renton (COR) maps has identified a wetland on the
neighboring property to the west (APN 0088000831). A critical areas exemption
certificate is a component of this decision due to the presence of a wetland buffer.
After conducting a site visit, staff does not anticipate that the proposed removals
would have any negative environmental impact on the wetland or wetland buffer.
According to the arborist reports (Attachments A & B) prepared by The Davey Tree
Expert Company, it is recommended to remove the two (2) black cottonwood
landmark trees that are causing damage to the adjacent home and cars parked in the
driveway. Additionally, Tree #2’s recent stem failure due to a rotting base has further
compromised the trees and the surrounding site.
Refer to the Critical Area Exemption Findings below for additional exemption
information. Removal of the trees aligns with the restrictions for critical areas, as
outlined in RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations and RMC 4-
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Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption
3-050, Critical Area Regulations.
Compliant
if condition
of approval
is met
3. Removal of a landmark tree shall meet the review criteria for removal off landmark
tree, pursuant to RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations.
i. The tree is determined to be dangerous; or
ii. The tree is causing obvious physical damage to structures including but not
limited to building foundations, driveways or parking lots, and for which no
reasonable alternative to tree removal exists. Routine maintenance of roofs
that is required due to leaf fall does not constitute obvious physical damage
to structure; or
iii. Removal of tree(s) to provide solar access to buildings incorporating active
solar devices. Windows are solar devices only when they are south-facing
and include special storage elements to distribute heat energy; or
iv. The Administrator determines the removal is necessary to achieve a specific
and articulable purpose or goal of this Title.
Staff Comments: According to RMC 4-4-130F.2.c.i, a landmark tree may be removed
if it is determined to be high-risk. In RMC 4-11-200, a high-risk tree is classified as
such if it has a probable or imminent likelihood of failure; and a medium or high
likelihood of impact; and the consequences of failure for the tree are significant or
severe.
On December 10, 2024, the arborist updated his assessment of Tree #2 from “good”
to “poor”. The arborist contends that the likelihood of stem failure is probable with a
high risk of property damage to the home and vehicles parked underneath. In
November of 2024 there was a storm which downed one (1) of the codominant stems
on Tree #2. According to the updated report, the failure to withstand the storm was
due to a rotted and unstable base. Additionally, the report recommends removal to a
10-foot (10’) tall wildlife snag as Tree #2 had a major failure in the windstorm with only
one (1) lead standing, opposed to two (2). The one (1) standing is on an extremely
compromised base. Regarding Tree #1, the report indicated that the loss of the
neighboring cottonwood (Tree #2) in the storm has increased the failure risk as these
two (2) trees have coexisted for many decades and recommends removal of the black
cottonwood tree to a 10-foot (10’) tall wildlife snag as well. Staff concurs with the
arborist’s recommendation that the high-risk trees should be removed due to criteria
i in RMC 4-4-130F.2.c being satisfied. In accordance with the arborist’s
recommendation, the applicant shall leave the failing black cottonwood trees (Trees
#1 and #2) as 10-foot (10’) tall wildlife snags as determined by the Current Planning
Project Manager. N/A 4. Street frontage and parking lot trees and landscaping shall be preserved unless
otherwise approved by the Administrator.
Staff Comments: Not Applicable. The two (2) black cottonwood (Populus
Trichocarpa) trees are not a part of street frontage, parking lot, nor landscaping trees.
N/A 5. The land clearing and tree removal shall not remove any landscaping or protected
trees required as part of a land development permit.
Staff Comments: Not Applicable. The two (2) black cottonwood (Populus
Trichocarpa) trees were not required as part of a land development permit for
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Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption
landscaping or tree requirements. Neither street frontage nor parking landscaping is
proposed to be removed.
YES 6. The land clearing and tree removal shall maintain visual screening and buffering
between land uses of differing intensity, consistent with applicable landscaping and
setback provisions.
Staff Comments: The two (2) black cottonwood (Populus Trichocarpa) trees
proposed for removal are abutting a lot with dense vegetation due to the presence of
a wetland on the neighboring site to the west. Removal of these trees would not
remove any required visual screening and/or buffering between land uses of equal
intensity.
YES 7. The land clearing and tree removal shall not create or contribute to a hazardous
condition, such as increased potential for blowdown, pest infestation, disease, or
other problems that may result from selectively removing trees and other vegetation
from a lot.
Staff Comments: Submitted documentation did not indicate that the removal would
create or contribute to a hazardous condition, but instead indicated that it could
cause greater damage to safety, if retained.
N/A 8. The land clearing and tree removal shall be consistent with the requirements of the
Shoreline Master Program, pursuant to RMC 4-3-090F1, Vegetation Conservation,
and RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations.
Staff Comments: Not applicable. The property is not located within shoreline
jurisdiction.
CRITICAL AREA EXEMPTION FINDINGS:
The proposed development is consistent with the following findings pursuant to RMC section 4-3-
050C.2.d:
YES i. The activity is not prohibited by this or any other provision of the Renton Municipal
Code or State or Federal law or regulation;
Staff Comments: Removal of these high-risk trees is not prohibited by this or any
other provision of the Renton Municipal Code or State or Federal law or
regulations. Approval of this exemption would act as written permission to allow
the removal of the two (2) black cottonwood (Populus Trichocarpa) trees on parcel
no. 0088000850.
YES ii. The activity will be conducted using best management practices as specified by
industry standards or applicable Federal agencies or scientific principles;
Staff Comments: According to the Arborist Report, it is recommended that these
high-risk trees be removed to 10-foot (10’) tall wildlife snags to prevent future
damage to underground utilities, driveways, and dwellings.
Compliant if
condition of
approval is met
iii. Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately
restored;
Staff Comments: The removal process of the trees being snagged at 10 feet (10’)
tall is aimed at minimizing impacts on the surrounding wildlife, utilities, driveways,
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Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption
neighboring structures, and residents, with a specific focus on removing only the
trees determined by the arborist to be high-risk. The applicant did not identify how
the disturbed wetland buffer areas were going to be restored after tree removal.
Therefore, staff recommends as a condition of approval, that the applicant leave
the fallen tree portions in the wetland buffer to provide wildlife habitat. In addition,
the applicant shall apply a minimum of three inches (3”) of bark mulch cover (or
equivalent) over any impacted area. No additional vegetation removal is
proposed.
YES iv. Where water body or buffer disturbance has occurred in accordance with an
exemption during construction or other activities, revegetation with native
vegetation shall be required;
Staff Comments: The trees are at the end of the driveway. The removal of the trees
to 10-foot (10’) tall wildlife snags would not require additional planting as it is not
a full removal of the tree. See FOF iii above, for staff’s recommended condition of
approval for restoration of the area to protect the existing habitat.
N/A v. If a hazardous material, activity, and/or facility that is exempt pursuant to this
Section has a significant or substantial potential to degrade groundwater quality,
then the Administrator may require compliance with the Wellhead Protection Area
requirements of this Section otherwise relevant to that hazardous material,
activity, and/or facility. Such determinations will be based upon site and/or
chemical-specific data.
Staff Comments: Not applicable. A hazardous material, activity and/or facility is
not a part of the project.
DECISION: The Bruan Tree Removal Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas
Exemption, File No LUA24-000348 is Approved with Conditions*.
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1. The applicant shall remove the trees to 10-foot (10’) tall wildlife snags as recommended by the
arborist.
2. The fallen tree material is required to remain within the wetland buffer as additional wildlife habitat
material.
3. The applicant shall restore the disturbed area with a minimum of three inches (3”) of bark mulch
cover (or equivalent) over any impacted areas.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
________________________________________ ____________________________________
Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date
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RECONSIDERATION: Within 14 days of the decision date, any party may request that the decision be
reopened by the approval body. The approval body may modify his decision if material evidence not readily
discoverable prior the original decision is found or if he finds there was misrepresentation of fact. After
review of the reconsideration request, if the approval body finds sufficient evidence to amend the original
decision, there will be no further extension of the appeal period. Any person wishing to take further action
must file a formal appeal within the 14-day appeal time frame.
APPEALS: Appeals of permit issuance must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on January 30, 2025.
An appeal of the decision must be filed within the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-
680). Appeals must be submitted electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov or delivered to City
Hall 1st floor Lobby Hub Monday through Friday. The appeal fee, normally due at the time an appeal is submitted,
will be collected at a future date if your appeal is submitted electronically. The appeal submitted in person may
be paid on the first floor in our Finance Department. Appeals to the Hearing Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-
110 and additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office,
cityclerk@rentonwa.gov.
EXPIRATION: Two (2) years from the date of decision (date signed).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Arborist Report, prepared by The Davey Tree Expert Company, dated August 6, 2024
Attachment B: Updated Arborist Report, prepared by The Davey Tree Expert Company, dated December
10, 2024
Attachment C: Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet, received November 7, 2024
Attachment D: ISA Basic Tree Risk Assessment Form, dated July 31, 2024
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