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Home My WebLink AboutD_RVMP_CAE_2000 Lake Washington Apartments_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: July 30, 2025 PROJECT NUMBER: LUA25-000239, RVMP, CAE PROJECT NAME: 2000 Lake Washington Apartments PROJECT MANAGER: Jill Ding, Senior Planner OWNER: WRPV XV 2000 Lake Washington 1300 N 20th St, Renton, WA 98056 APPLICANT/ CONTACT: Jessy Jacquinot, A Plus Tree, LLC 6412 S 900 E, Suite 201, Murray, UT 84121 PROJECT LOCATION: 1300 N 20th St, Renton, WA 98056 (APN 3344500315) PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption for the removal of three (3) significant trees located at 1300 N 20th St (APN 3344500315). The trees proposed for removal have been identified as Tree 1, Tree 28, and Tree 29 in the submitted Arborist Report, prepared by A Plus Tree Care & Sustainability, dated July 11, 2025 (Attachment A). Tree 1 is a 30-foot (30’) tall Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) currently showing signs of poor health with an unbalanced crown and an uncorrected lean towards the parking lot. This high- risk tree is within striking distance of an existing parking lot. According to the certified arborist, snagging would not adequately mitigate the risk of failure, as the tree is leaning. Thus, removal and replacement is requested. Trees 28 and 29 are both western cottonwoods (Populus trichocarpa) that are dead and decaying. Both of these significant trees are within striking distance of the neighboring property’s building. Removal and replacement of both cottonwood trees is recommended by the arborist. The proposed replacement trees are two (2) five-gallon western hemlocks (Tsuga heterophylla) and one (1) five-gallon Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). According to City or Renton (COR) Maps, high erosion hazard areas, moderate and high landslide hazard areas, sensitive and protected slopes, and Well 5A Wellhead Protection Area Zones 1 Modified and Zone 2 are mapped on the project site. CRITICAL AREA: According to COR Maps, high erosion hazard areas, moderate and high landslide hazard areas, sensitive and protected slopes, and Well 5A Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit 2000 Lake Washington Apartments LUA25-000239, RVMP, CAE Permit Date: July 30, 2025 Page 2 of 5 Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption Wellhead Protection Area Zones 1 Modified and Zone 2 are mapped on the project site. EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: Dangerous Tree Removal: 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. 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: The Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations require the retention of 30 percent (30%) of on-site significant trees as well as the provision of 30 tree credit units per net acre. A Tree Retention and Tree Credit Worksheet was submitted with the project application materials (Attachment B). According to the completed worksheet, there are 168 trees located on-site. The removal of three (3) trees would result in the retention of 98 percent (98%) of on-site significant trees, which would exceed the 30 percent (30%) required. Based on a gross site area of 400,533 square feet (9.19 acres), a total of 276 tree credits would be required to be provided on-site. The existing trees located on-site, along with the proposal to plant three (3) new replacement trees (large species), would result in a total of 747 tree credits on the project site, which would exceed the 276 minimum tree credits required. 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: Dangerous tree removal is a permitted exemption within the Critical Areas Regulations (RMC 4-3-050C.3). As part of the project application materials, the applicant submitted an Arborist Report (Attachment A), which concluded that the trees proposed for removal qualify as dangerous trees. According to the report, the trees were either dead or dying and would have a probable or imminent likelihood of failure. In addition, the trees would have a medium or high likelihood of impact and the consequences of failure for the trees would be significant or severe. N/A 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 Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit 2000 Lake Washington Apartments LUA25-000239, RVMP, CAE Permit Date: July 30, 2025 Page 3 of 5 Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption 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: Not applicable. A landmark tree is defined as 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 trees proposed for removal are not landmark trees. YES 4. Street frontage and parking lot trees and landscaping shall be preserved unless otherwise approved by the Administrator. Staff Comments: The trees proposed for removal are not street frontage or parking lot trees. They are trees located within the slope area at the rear of the site, as shown on the site plan included with the submitted Arborist Report. YES 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: The trees proposed for removal would not include trees within any existing approved landscape planting areas. The trees are located within an identified protected slope, however, as previously discussed above, dangerous tree removal is permitted within protected slope areas per the adopted Critical Areas Regulations. 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 trees proposed for removal are located within a heavily forested area. It is not anticipated that the three (3) trees proposed for removal would reduce the existing visual screen or buffer between abutting properties. 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 proposal to remove three (3) significant trees from the project site is not anticipated to contribute to a hazardous condition. As stated in the submitted Arborist Report, the trees have been classified as dangerous/high-risk as they are either dead or dying and have the potential to damage persons or property. To mitigate for the removal of the trees, three (3) trees are proposed to be planted where the previous trees were removed. 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. Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit 2000 Lake Washington Apartments LUA25-000239, RVMP, CAE Permit Date: July 30, 2025 Page 4 of 5 Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption Staff Comments: Not applicable. The trees proposed for removal are not located within the shoreline jurisdiction and are not subject to the Shoreline Master Program. 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: The proposed tree removal is not prohibited by any provisions in the Renton Municipal Code, or by any State or Federal law or regulations. YES, IF CONDITION OF APPROVAL IS MET ii. The activity will be conducted using best management practices as specified by industry standards or applicable Federal agencies or scientific principles; Staff Comments: The proposed tree removal and replanting would be required to be conducted using best management practices. YES, IF CONDITION OF APPROVAL IS MET iii. Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately restored; Staff Comments: Impacts from the proposed tree removal are proposed to be mitigated through the replanting of two (2) five-gallon western hemlock trees and one (1) five-gallon Douglas fir tree. In addition, once the replacement trees have been installed on-site, the applicant shall notify the Current Planning Project Manager to complete a final landscape inspection. 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: No water body or buffer disturbance is proposed, as the site is not near any streams, lakes, or wetlands. YES 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: The proposed work is not located within a Wellhead Protection Area and is not anticipated to adversely impact groundwater. DECISION: The 2000 Lake Washington Apartments Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption, LUA25-000239 is Approved with Conditions*. Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit 2000 Lake Washington Apartments LUA25-000239, RVMP, CAE Permit Date: July 30, 2025 Page 5 of 5 Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption Conditions of Approval: 1. Best Management Practices shall be used for the tree removal and replacement tree planting. 2. All disturbed areas shall be restored and the two (2) five-gallon western hemlock and one (1) five-gallon Douglas fir replacement trees shall be planted within 30 days of the completion of the tree removal activities. Once the replacement trees have been installed on-site, the applicant shall notify the Current Planning Project Manager to complete a final landscape inspection. SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION: ____________________________________________ ____________________________________ For Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date 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 13, 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 A-Plus Tree Care & Sustainability, dated July 11, 2025 Attachment B: Tree Retention and Tree Credit Worksheet Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 7/30/2025 | 10:22 AM PDT Arborist Report for 2000 Lake Washington 1300 N 20th St Renton, WA 98056 Prepared on July 11th, 2025 Prepared by: Jessy Jacquinot ISA Certified Arborist #WE-13500A jessy@aplustree.com Background Information: This report was prepared on behalf of 2000 Lake Washington Apartments concerning three (3) trees located at 1300 N 20th St in Renton. The report is being written as the trees have been requested for removal and a permit is required. The trees were assessed and pictures taken on May 14th, 2025 by Daniel Potts, ISA Certified Arborist #11534A. Assignment (and any limiting factors): The assignment is to perform a visual assessment regarding health condition, structural integrity, threat of pest or disease, and potential hazards. The visual inspection was from ground grade only. The assignment is to assess and provide recommendations for future action. Observations: At the time of the assessment, the following was observed (please refer to photos in Attachment A and locations in Attachment B): ATTACHMENT A RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 Tree 1 (5 on map): • Scotch Pine, Pinus sylvestris • 12.5” DBH • 30’ tall • 15’ crown diameter • Uncorrected lean towards parking lot • Unbalanced crown with weight on side of lean • Recent failures of nearby trees of the same species Tree 2 (28 on map): • Western Cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa • 14” DBH • Dead and decaying • Striking distance to neighboring property’s building Tree 3 (29 on map): • Western Cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa • 15.5” DBH • Dead and decaying • Striking distance to neighboring property’s building Testing & Analysis: There were no soil, tree, or other physical testing. Discussion & Recommendation: Tree 1 is a Scotch pine in poor health with an unbalanced crown and lean towards the parking lot. Three other Scotch pines have failed nearby over the course of the past winter. The tree is within striking distance to a frequently occupied parking lot. Snagging would not adequately mitigate the risk of failure, so removal and replacement is recommended. Trees 28 and 29 are both western cottonwoods that are dead and decaying. Both trees are within striking distance of the neighboring property’s building. Removal and replacement is recommended. The proposed replacement trees are two 5-gallon western hemlocks and one 5-gallon Douglas fir. Pictures of the tree proposed for removal are in Attachment A, the locations are in Attachment B, and the replacement tree locations are in Attachment C below. RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 Arborist Disclaimer Arborists cannot detect every condition that could possibly lead to the structural failure of a tree. Trees are living organisms that may fail in ways we do not fully understand. Conditions are often hidden within trees and below ground. Arborists cannot guarantee that a tree will be healthy or safe, or fail for that matter, under all circumstances, or for a given period of time. Likewise, remedial treatments, like any medicine, cannot be guaranteed. Treatments, pruning and removal of trees may involve considerations beyond the scope of the arborist’s services such as property boundaries, property ownership, sight lines, disputes between neighbors, landlord-tenant matters, etc. Arborists cannot take such issues into account unless complete and accurate information is given to the arborist. The person hiring the arborist accepts full responsibility for authorizing the recommended treatment or remedial measures. Trees can be managed, but they cannot be controlled. To live near a tree is to accept some degree of risk. The only way to eliminate all risks is to eliminate all trees. This consultant does not verify the safety or health of any tree for any period of time. Construction activities are hazardous to trees and cause many short and long-term injuries, which can cause trees to die or topple. Even when every tree is inspected, inspection involves sampling; therefore, some areas of decay or weakness may be missed. Weather, winds and the magnitude and direction of storms are not predictable, and some failures may still occur despite the best application of high professional standards. I hereby declare that the above observations, discussion, and recommendation are true to the best of my knowledge, belief, and professional opinion. In addition, A Plus Tree is held harmless of any of these opinions from future tree failures. Sincerely, Jessy Jacquinot| A Plus Tree, LLC ISA Certified Arborist #WE-13500A RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 Attachment A: Photo – A Full view of tree 1 (5 on map) RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 Photo – B Alternate view of tree 1 RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 Photo – C Full view of tree 2 (28 on map) RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 Photo – D Full view of tree 3 (29 on map) RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 Attachment B: Property site map with location of proposed removals. RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 Attachment C: Property site map with location of proposed replacement trees. RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 rentonwa.gov/permitservices | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/24/2023 Page 1 of 3 CITY OF RENTON Ι PERMIT SERVICES TREE RETENTION AND CREDIT WORKSHEET TREE RETENTION REQUIREMENTS A minimum retention of thirty percent (30%) of all significant trees (as defined in RMC 4-11-200) is required on site. Please complete the form below to verify compliance with minimum tree retention requirements. • Identify total number of trees 6-inch caliper or greater (or alder or cottonwood trees 8-inch caliper or greater) on site: Trees Trees Trees Trees Trees Trees Required Trees Proposed •Deductions – Certain trees are excluded from the retention calculation: o Trees that are high-risk, as defined in RMC 4-11-200: o Trees within existing and proposed public right-of-way: o Trees within wetlands, streams, very high landslide hazards, protected slopes, and associated buffers: •Total remaining trees after deductions: •Required tree retention (30%): •Identify number of trees proposed for retention: •Identify number of trees requested for replacement in lieu of retention (skip page 3 if no tree replacement is requested):Trees TREE CREDIT REQUIREMENTS Tree credit requirements apply at a minimum rate of thirty (30) credits per net acre. Complete the form below to determine minimum tree credit requirements. •Gross area of property in square feet: Square Feet •Deductions: Certain areas are excluded from tree credit calculation: o Existing and proposed public right-of-way: Square Feet o Wetlands, streams, very high landslide hazards, protected slopes, and associated buffers: Square Feet •Total excluded area:Square Feet •Net land area (after deductions) in square feet:Square Feet •Net land area (after deductions) in acres:Acres •Required tree credits:Tree Credits Required ATTACHMENT B RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION 168 1 0 34 134 40.2 165 3 400,533 0 0 0 400,533 9.19 275.7 Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 rentonwa.gov/permitservices | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/24/2023 Page 2 of 3 TREE RETENTION AND CREDIT WORKSHEET PROPOSED TREE CREDITS Please complete the table below to calculate the total tree credits proposed for your project. Identify the quantity of trees for each tree category, after deducting trees within excluded areas, as shown in the previous section. TREE SIZE TREE CREDITS TREE QUANTITY TOTAL TREE CREDITS RETAINED TREES Preserved tree 6 – 9” caliper 4 Preserved tree 10 – 12” caliper 5 Preserved tree 12 – 15” caliper 6 Preserved tree 16 – 18” caliper 7 Preserved tree 19 – 21” caliper 8 Preserved tree 22 – 24” caliper 9 Preserved tree 25 – 28” caliper 10 Preserved tree 29 – 32” caliper 11 Preserved tree 33 – 36” caliper 12 Preserved tree 37” caliper and greater 13 NEW TREES New small species tree (30' or less at maturity) 0.25 New medium species tree (30' to 50' at maturity) 1 New large species tree (50' or more at maturity) 2 TREE CREDITS PROPOSED: RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION 54 0 72 0 0 0 8 0 0 1 0 0 3 747 216 0 432 0 0 0 80 0 0 13 0 0 6 Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12 rentonwa.gov/permitservices | planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov | 425-430-7294 10/24/2024 Page 3 of 3 TREE RETENTION AND CREDIT WORKSHEET TREE REPLACEMENT JUSTIFICATION Replacement may be authorized as an alternative to 30% retention provided the removal is the minimum necessary to accomplish the desired purpose and provided the proposal meets one of the following options: a.There are special circumstances related to the size, shape, topography, location, or surroundings of the subject property; or b.The strict application of the code would prevent reasonable use of property; or c.The strict application of the code would prevent compliance with minimum density requirements of the zone; or d.The project is a short plat with four (4) or fewer lots. Please attach a written justification demonstrating compliance with the requirements and criteria as descripted above. TREE REPLACEMENT QUANTITY Tree replacement quantity is determined based on the credit value of the trees proposed for removal. Larger, higher priority trees shall be used for calculation of tree replacement. Identify the quantity of each tree requested to be removed in lieu of 30% retention, based on tree size. List the identification number of each tree, as indicated in the arborist report. TREE SIZE TREE CREDITS TREE QUANTITY TREE INDENTIFICATION # TOTAL TREE CREDITS Tree 37” caliper + 13 Tree 33 – 36” caliper 12 Tree 29 – 32” caliper 11 Tree 25 – 28” caliper 10 Tree 22 – 24” caliper 9 Tree 19 – 21” caliper 8 Tree 16 – 18” caliper 7 Tree 12 – 15” caliper 6 Tree 10 – 12” caliper 5 Tree 6 – 9” caliper 4 REPLACEMENT CREDITS REQUIRED: TREE REPLACEMENT PLANTING Identify the quantity of proposed new replacement trees (minimum size of 2-inch caliper). The total replacement credits proposed should be equal to or greater than the replacement credits required, as shown in the previous section. TREE SIZE TREE CREDITS TREE QUANTITY TOTAL TREE CREDITS New small species tree (30' or less at maturity) 0.25 New medium species tree (30' to 50' at maturity) 1 New large species tree (50' or more at maturity) 2 REPLACEMENT CREDITS PROPOSED: RECEIVED July 22, 2025 PLANNING DIVISION 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Docusign Envelope ID: 802E2E15-783B-4D14-A204-431678350F12