HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Windsor_Cir_Tree_Removal_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: March 2, 2026
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA26-000046, RVMP, CAE
PROJECT NAME: Windsor Circle Tree Removal
PROJECT MANAGER: Ian Harris, Associate Planner
APPLICANT/ CONTACT: Dana Ledford, Sound Tree Care
3057 S 146th St, Seatac, WA 98168
OWNER: Windsor Circle HOA
16319 SE 135th Pl, Renton, WA 98059
PROJECT LOCATION: Non-addressed parcel at the southwest corner of 162nd Ave SE and SE 135th Pl
(APN 9475960170)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, Dana Ledford of Sound Tree Care, is requesting a Routine
Vegetation Management Permit (RVMP) and an exemption from critical areas
regulations (CAE) to remove or snag one (1) tree located in a native growth
protection area (NGPA) tract owned and managed by the Windsor Circle HOA
(APN 9475960170). The 0.39-acre tract is situated within the Residential-4 (R-4)
zone and within the East Plateau Community Planning Area. Per the City of
Renton (COR) Maps, the only critical area located on the project site is an
unclassified wetland.
In the Arborist Report prepared by Eric Ledford, a certified arborist, dated July 1,
2025 (Attachment A), one (1) Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) tree is
proposed for removal or snagging as it is classified as “high-risk.” The tree
specimen is deceased and has a history of branch failure. The tree is considered
a “significant tree” as it has a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 20 inches (20”).
The tree constitutes a total of eight (8) tree credits.
CRITITCAL AREAS: Unclassified Wetland
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-3-050 Critical Areas Regulations: RMC 4-3-
050C.3.c.iii, High-Risk Trees: Removal of non-native invasive ground cover or
weeds listed by King County Noxious Weed Board or other government agency or
high-risk trees, as defined in chapter 4-11 RMC, which have been approved by
Docusign Envelope ID: 8DAAA6D0-71BB-497D-9907-C790B168578F
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit Windsor Circle Tree Removal LUA26-000046, RVMP, CAE
Permit Date: March 2, 2026 Page 2 of 5
D_ Windsor Circle Tree Removal_Final
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 4-4-130H, compliance with tree credit
requirements necessitates a minimum of 30 tree credits per net acre. A Tree Retention
and Credit Worksheet was provided as part of this application (Attachment B). In the
arborist report, Mr. Ledford cataloged approximately 30 trees worth 255 tree credits, far
exceeding the minimum 12 tree credits required (30 x 0.39 = 11.7 credits). As a result, the
site would continue to exceed the minimum tree credit requirements—with 238 credits
remaining—and would maintain the minimum tree-performance standards following the
removal or snagging of the subject fir tree.
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 an unclassified wetland on-
site. The subject Douglas fir tree proposed for removal or snagging is likely located within
the wetland buffer area. Removal of high-risk trees is an exempt activity per Renton
Municipal Code (RMC) 4-3-050C.3.c.iii. Refer to the Critical Area Exemption Findings
below for additional exemption information.
N/A 3. Removal of a landmark tree shall meet the review criteria for removal of 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 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.
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 high-risk 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.
Docusign Envelope ID: 8DAAA6D0-71BB-497D-9907-C790B168578F
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit Windsor Circle Tree Removal LUA26-000046, RVMP, CAE
Permit Date: March 2, 2026 Page 3 of 5
D_ Windsor Circle Tree Removal_Final
Staff Comments: Not applicable. According to the arborist report, the subject tree
proposed for removal or snagging does not meet the threshold for a “landmark tree” (≥30
inches [30”] DBH), as its DBH is 20 inches (20”), according to the ISA Basic Tree Risk
Assessment (TRAQ) form provided (Attachment C). 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.
YES, IF
CONDITIONS
ARE MET
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 tree removal or snagging would not be removing landscaping trees
required as part of a land development permit. The tree proposed for removal or snagging
constitutes eight (8) tree credits. Since the tree is in a native growth protection area
(NGPA), it is a protected tree. The tree is recommended for removal or snagging because
it meets all three (3) criteria for “high-risk” as defined in RMC 4-11-200, and its failure has
a high likelihood of striking pedestrians on the nearby sidewalk, or vehicles on the parking
strip. Branch failure has been documented from the subject tree already.
Since removing or snagging the tree is necessary, the impacts from removing the tree in
the NGPA shall be minimized. Therefore, staff recommends as a condition of approval,
that the applicant use Best Management Practices for tree snagging in the native growth
protection area (NGPA) tract. The tree shall be reduced to a minimum ten-foot (10’) tall
wildlife snag and debris generated from the removal of the tree shall be retained and
scattered within the NGPA tract, where feasible. In addition, the applicant shall keep
heavy equipment and vehicles out of the NGPA to the maximum extent possible.
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 or snagging would not impact visual screening, nor
would it remove any applicable landscaping. The project site abuts street rights-of-way
and parcels zoned Residential-4 (R-4). The tree is located in heavily wooded areas, and
its removal or snagging would not significantly impact the screening provided between
the various residential densities.
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 documentation provided did not indicate that the removal or
snagging of the tree would create or contribute to a hazardous condition. The residual risk
of the mitigation is judged to be low, according to the applicant’s provided TRAQ form.
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.
Docusign Envelope ID: 8DAAA6D0-71BB-497D-9907-C790B168578F
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit Windsor Circle Tree Removal LUA26-000046, RVMP, CAE
Permit Date: March 2, 2026 Page 4 of 5
D_ Windsor Circle Tree Removal_Final
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 dangerous trees is not prohibited by any federal regulation
and it is an exempt activity in the City of Renton’s Critical Areas Regulations. Approval of
this exemption would act as written permission to allow the removal or snagging of the
subject tree.
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: The Best Management Practice recommended by the arborist is to
remove or snag the subject tree. This would sufficiently mitigate the risk to people and
nearby housing, while revegetation with native foliage would continue to offer benefits
within the native growth protection areas (NGPA).
YES, IF
CONDITIONS ARE
MET
iii. Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately
restored;
Staff Comments: The tree removal or snagging process is aimed at minimizing potential
damage to people and structures. To minimize critical area impacts, no additional
vegetation outside of the subject tree would be removed or modified. Impacts from the
proposed tree removal or snagging can be further mitigated through the replanting of one
(1) five-gallon Douglas fir tree.
Therefore, staff recommends as a condition of approval, that all disturbed areas shall be
restored, and one (1) five-gallon Douglas fir tree shall be planted within 60 days following
the completion of tree removal activities. Once the replacement tree has 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: Although the subject tree is within the buffer of an unclassified
wetland, no construction activity is taking place within the buffer zone. The subject tree
constitutes eight (8) tree credits. Because the removal of the tree within the wetland
buffer constitutes a temporary disturbance activity, staff recommended an additional
condition that would require the planting of a new Douglas fir tree specimen to replace
the tree requested for removal at a one-to-one (1:1) ratio. See iii above for tree
restoration condition.
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.
Docusign Envelope ID: 8DAAA6D0-71BB-497D-9907-C790B168578F
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit Windsor Circle Tree Removal LUA26-000046, RVMP, CAE
Permit Date: March 2, 2026 Page 5 of 5
D_ Windsor Circle Tree Removal_Final
Staff Comments: Not applicable. The proposal does not include a significant or
substantial potential to degrade groundwater quality.
DECISION: The Windsor Circle Tree Removal Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas
Exemption, LUA26-000046, RVMP, CAE is Approved with Conditions*.
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1. The applicant shall use Best Management Practices for tree snagging in the native growth protection area
(NGPA) tract. The tree shall be reduced to a minimum ten-foot (10’) tall wildlife snag and debris
generated from the removal of the tree shall be retained and scattered within the NGPA tract, where
feasible. In addition, the applicant shall keep heavy equipment and vehicles out of the NGPA to the
maximum extent possible.
2. All disturbed areas shall be restored, and one (1) five-gallon Douglas fir tree shall be planted within 60
days following the completion of tree removal activities. Once the replacement tree has been installed
on-site, the applicant shall notify the Current Planning Project Manager to complete a final landscape
inspection.
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
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 March 16, 2026. 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 Eric Ledford, dated July 1, 2025
Attachment B: Tree Retention and Tree Credit Worksheet
Attachment C: ISA Basic Tree Risk Assessment Form, dated June 28, 2025
Docusign Envelope ID: 8DAAA6D0-71BB-497D-9907-C790B168578F
3/2/2026 | 2:51 PM PST