HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Jorgensen_Landmark_Tree_Removal_RVMP_250723_FINALDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Jorgensen Landmark Tree Removal_RVMP_250721_FINAL
PLANNING DIVISION
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: July 23, 2025
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA25-000209, RVMP
PROJECT NAME: Jorgensen Landmark Tree Removal
PROJECT MANAGER: Mariah Kerrihard, Associate Planner
APPLICANT/OWNER: Denise E. Jorgensen and Iner M. Jorgensen
1224 N 28th Pl, Renton, WA 98056
PROJECT LOCATION: 1224 N 28th Pl, Renton, WA 98056 (APN 3342100870)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting approval of a Routine Vegetation Management Permit
(RVMP) to remove one (1) high-risk Western Red Cedar (Thuja plicata) tree which has been assessed at a
diameter of 30-inches (30”) at breast height (DBH) and is approximately 70 feet (70’) tall. The subject property
is located at 1224 N 28th Pl, Renton, WA 98056 (APN 3342100870). The 5,100 square foot (0.12 acre) property
is situated within the Residential-8 (R-8) zone and the Kennydale Community Planning Area.
An Arborist Report, prepared by Terry Flatley, dated June 16, 2025 (Attachment A), was submitted with the
application. The ISA Certified Arborist, Terry Flatley, identified two (2) trees on the subject property. Those
two (2) trees include one (1) landmark Western Red Cedar tree with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 30-
inches (30”) and a height of 70 feet (70’), and one (1) significant Western Red Cedar with a 20-inch (20”) DBH
and a height of 64 feet (64’). The report recommends removing the one (1) landmark tree and retaining the
existing significant tree that was identified within the report as a Western Red Cedar with a 20-inch (20”) DBH
which has a low-risk rating.
The arborist report identifies the one (1) landmark Western Red Cedar tree as high-risk due to a combination
of factors including the large structural roots that are damaging the concrete and asphalt surfaces of the
driveway and conflicts with utilities within the crown of the tree. Within the arborist report, the tree’s roots
are shown damaging the driveway with cracks throughout and with a three-inch (3”) lift rise. The arborist is
advising that if the driveway is repaired or replaced, the main structural roots and many smaller feeder roots
would be removed, which would destabilize the tree and pose a significant risk of whole or partial tree failure.
According to City of Renton (COR) Maps, the site is within a Wellhead Protection Area Zone 2, Well 5A.
CRITICAL AREA: Well 5A Wellhead Protection Area Zone 2
GENERAL 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 4-4-130H, compliance with tree credit
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City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit
Jorgensen Landmark Tree Removal LUA25-000209, RVMP
Permit Date: July 23, 2025 Page 2 of 4
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requirements necessitates a minimum of 30 tree credits per net acre. The subject
property is approximately 5,100 square feet (0.12 acre). Based on the property size,
four (4) tree credits are required to meet the minimum tree density requirement (30
tree credits/acre × 0.12 acre = 3.7 credits). After the proposed removal of one (1) tree,
the remaining tree maintains eight (8) tree credits for the subject property and there
would be a sufficient number of tree credits retained. Therefore, a tree replacement
plan is not necessary to fulfill the minimum tree credit requirement.
N/A 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: According to the city’s mapping system, the subject property is
within the Well 5A Wellhead Protection Area Zone 2. Based on the existing
improvements and topography of the site, staff finds that removing the tree would not
impact the critical areas within the property. Therefore, the proposed action is
consistent with the critical areas regulations.
YES 3. Removal of a landmark tree shall meet the review criteria for removal off landmark
trees, pursuant to RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations.
i. The tree is determined to be a high-risk tree; or
ii. The tree is causing obvious physical damage to buildings (over 200 square
feet), driveways, parking lots, or utilities, and it can be demonstrated to the
Administrator’s satisfaction that no reasonable alternative to tree removal
exist, including tree root pruning, tree root barriers, tree cabling, or
preventative maintenance, such as cleaning leaf debris, deadwood removal,
or directional/clearance pruning; 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 4-11-200Y.2, a landmark tree is a tree with a
caliper of 24 inches (24") or greater, except for big leaf maples, black cottonwoods,
and red alder trees, which qualify as landmark trees with a caliper of 30 inches (30")
or greater. The tree proposed for removal would be classified as a landmark tree due
to the diameter at breast height (DBH) and a RVMP is required for the removal of any
landmark trees.
According to RMC 4-4-130F.2.c.i, a landmark tree may be removed if it is determined
to be high-risk. RMC 4-11-200Y.1 classifies a high-risk tree as having a probable or
imminent likelihood of failure, a medium or high likelihood of impact, and significant
or severe consequences in the event of failure. The arborist’s report indicates that the
driveway is located two feet (2’) west of the landmark tree, with a small block wall
directly to the east of the tree. According to the arborist report, due to its location, the
tree exhibits various risk factors (Attachment A). The arborist states that the proximity
of the driveway and wall is severely restricting the tree’s growth. The arborist noted
cracks in the tree trunk, an unbalanced crown, previous branch failures, and root
plate lifting. The certified arborist contends that the landmark tree poses a high risk to
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City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit
Jorgensen Landmark Tree Removal LUA25-000209, RVMP
Permit Date: July 23, 2025 Page 3 of 4
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the nearby house due to its close proximity, should it fail. Based on the arborist’s
assessment, the tree poses an extreme risk to the house and a high risk to the
driveway, street, utilities, and block wall due to its placement within striking distance
of these targets in the event of whole or partial failure.
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 subject tree is not a street frontage tree nor a
parking lot tree. Neither street frontage nor parking landscape is proposed to be
removed.
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 tree removal would not be removing
landscaping or protected trees required as part of a land development permit.
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 tree removal would not impact visual screening nor be
removing applicable landscaping. The zoning intensity of all surrounding properties
are also single-family residential in the Residential-8 (R-8) zone, so there is no
disruption between use 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: The removal of the hazardous tree, as recommended by the
arborist, would not create hazardous conditions. Instead, it would mitigate potential
damage to property on the project site.
N/A 8. The land clearing and tree removal shall be consistent with the requirement 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.
DECISION: The Jorgensen Landmark Tree Removal, LUA25-000209, RVMP is Approved.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
________________________________________ ____________________________________
Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date
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7/23/2025 | 2:21 PM PDT
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit
Jorgensen Landmark Tree Removal LUA25-000209, RVMP
Permit Date: July 23, 2025 Page 4 of 4
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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 August 6, 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: The Routine Vegetation Management Permit shall be valid for one year from the date of
issuance. An extension may be granted by the Planning Division for a period of one year upon application by
the property owner or manager. Application for such an extension must be made at least thirty (30) days in
advance of the expiration of the original permit and shall include a statement of justification for the
extension.
ATTACHMENT:
Attachment A: Arborist Report, prepared by Terry Flatley, dated June 16, 2025
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