HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Koerner_Residence_Tree_Removal_FinalDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Koerner Residence Tree Removal_Final
PLANNING DIVISON
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PREMIT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: August 26, 2025
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA25-000265, RVMP
PROJECT NAME: Koerner Residence Tree Removal
PROJECT MANAGER: Ashley Wragge, Assistant Planner
APPLICANT/ OWNER Scott Koerner
4108 NE 14th Pl, Renton, WA 98059
CONTACT: Scott Koerner
4108 NE 14th Pl, Renton, WA 98059
PROJECT LOCATION: 4108 NE 14th Pl, Renton, WA 98059 (APN 0323059168)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Routine Vegetation Management Permit (RVMP) to
remove one (1) pine tree (Pinus) located at 4108 NE 14th Pl (APN 0323059168)
within the Residential-10 (R-10) zone and the Highlands Community Planning
Area. The subject property is approximately 9,147 square feet (0.21 acres).
An arborist report, prepared by Matt’s Tree and Landscape, dated July 21, 2025
(Attachment A) was submitted with the application. In the report, the arborist
proposes the removal of one (1) landmark tree, a pine tree (Pinus) that has dual
trunks with one of them measuring twenty-three inches (23”) in diameter at
breast height (dbh). The applicant states in the narrative (Attachment B) that the
combined trunk size is forty inches (40”) in diameter and approximately forty-five
feet (45’) in height. The arborist report states that the tree is completely dead,
and due to its proximity to the home, it is a high fire hazard.
CRITITCAL AREA: None
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT REVIEW CRITERIA 4-9-195D.4:
YES 1. The lot shall comply with minimum tree credit 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 of 30 tree credits per net acre. The subject
property, which is approximately 9,147 square feet (0.21 acres), is located at 4108 NE
Docusign Envelope ID: 17F54FCD-3720-47AA-8CA3-B7F399122BBA
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Koerner Residence Tree Removal
Routine Vegetation Management Permit
LUA25-000265, RVMP
Permit Date: August 26, 2025 Page 2 of 4
D_Koerner Residence Tree Removal_Final
14th Pl (APN 0323059168). Based on the property size, six (6) tree credits are required to
meet the minimum tree density requirement (30 tree credits/acre × 0.21 acres = 6.3
credits).
The Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet (Attachment C) indicates that one (1)
hazardous tree is proposed for removal, and five (5) trees are to be retained on the
property, totaling 31 tree credits. The preserved trees exceed the calculated six (6)
required tree credits and the minimum tree retention of one (1) tree for the property.
Therefore, the Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet demonstrates compliance with the
minimum tree credits and the minimum retention requirements.
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: Not applicable. Per City of Renton (COR) Maps, the property is not
encumbered with critical areas or critical area buffers.
YES 3. Removal of a landmark tree shall meet the review criteria for removal of a landmark tree,
pursuant to RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations.
Staff Comments: According to RMC 4-4-130.F.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.
The Arborist Report (Attachment A) is brief in the details that would assist with classifying
the tree but the ability to assess the failure, impact, and consequences is possible from
the photos included in the report. The tree is completely devoid of life, as noted by the
arborist and is apparent in the photo of the tree with no signs of life in the needles;
therefore, the tree has a probable or imminent likelihood of failure. The likelihood of
impact is also high due to the proximity to the home. The tree is approximately five feet
(5’) away from the home which not only makes the likelihood of impact high, but also has
severe consequences in the potential failure. Due to this level of risk, the proposed tree
is classified as a high-risk tree and staff concurs the tree should be removed due to
meeting criterion i in RMC 4-4-130F2.c.
YES 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.
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: 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-
Docusign Envelope ID: 17F54FCD-3720-47AA-8CA3-B7F399122BBA
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Koerner Residence Tree Removal
Routine Vegetation Management Permit
LUA25-000265, RVMP
Permit Date: August 26, 2025 Page 3 of 4
D_Koerner Residence Tree Removal_Final
family residential in the Residential-10 (R-10) 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 a hazardous condition. Instead, it would mitigate potential damage to
property and remove a dead tree.
YES 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.
DECISION: The Koerner Residence Tree Removal Routine Vegetation Management Permit, LUA25-000265, RVMP
is Approved.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
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 to
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: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the Hearing
Examiner on or before 5:00 PM on September 9, 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: One (1) year from the date of decision (date signed).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Arborist Report, prepared on July 21, 2025 by Matt’s Tree and Landscaping
Docusign Envelope ID: 17F54FCD-3720-47AA-8CA3-B7F399122BBA
8/26/2025 | 2:51 PM PDT
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Koerner Residence Tree Removal
Routine Vegetation Management Permit
LUA25-000265, RVMP
Permit Date: August 26, 2025 Page 4 of 4
D_Koerner Residence Tree Removal_Final
Attachment B: Koerner Tree Removal Project Narrative
Attachment C: Tree Retention and Tree Credit Worksheet
Docusign Envelope ID: 17F54FCD-3720-47AA-8CA3-B7F399122BBA