HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_108th_Ave_SE_Maple_Tree_Removal_FinalDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_108th Ave SE Maple Tree Removal_Final
PLANNING DIVISION
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: March 13, 2026
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA26-000070, RVMP
PROJECT NAME: 108th Ave SE Maple Tree Removal
PROJECT MANAGER: Ashley Wragge, Assistant Planner
APPLICANT/OWNER: Thao Doan
16432 108th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98055
CONTACT: Ngoc Doan
16432 108th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98055
PROJECT LOCATION: 16432 108th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98055 (APN 0088000700)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, Thao Doan, is requesting a Routine Vegetation Management
Permit (RVMP) to remove two (2) big leaf maple trees (Acer macrophyllum)
located at 16432 108th Ave SE (APN 0088000700). The subject property is
approximately 22,240 square feet (0.51 acres) and is situated within the
Residential-8 (R-8) zone and the Benson Community Planning Area. According to
the City of Renton (COR) Maps, the subject property has regulated slopes (>15%
& <= 25%) along portions of the west side of the property.
An Arborist Report, prepared by Advanced Arboricultural Assessment, dated
November 7, 2025 (Attachment A), was submitted with the application. In the
report, the arborist proposes the removal of two (2) landmark sized big leaf maple
trees (Acer macrophyllum) due to their hazardous condition. Tree 1 is fifty-four
inches (54”) in diameter at breast height (dbh) and approximately one hundred
feet (100’) in height and Tree 2 is thirty-eight inches (38”) in diameter at breast
height (dbh) and fifty feet (50’) in height. The Arborist Report notes that Tree 1 has
experienced a crown failure, and Tree 2 is leaning toward a nearby home and is
chained to Tree 1 with significant tension on the chain. Both trees have nesting
cavities, an indication of significant decay.
CRITITCAL AREA: None
Docusign Envelope ID: EA4D2F3D-0AC0-49A8-8754-3B0FA182E848
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development 108th Ave SE Maple Tree Removal Routine Vegetation Management Permit LUA26-000070, RVMP
Permit Date: March 13, 2026 Page 2 of 4
D_108th Ave SE Maple Tree Removal_Final
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 4-4-130H, compliance with tree credit
requirements necessitates a minimum of 30 tree credits per net acre. The subject
property, which is approximately 22,240 square feet (0.51 acres), is located at 16432
108th Ave SE (APN 0088000700). Based on the property size, 15 tree credits are required
to meet the minimum tree density requirement (30 tree credits/acre × 0.51 acres = 15.3
credits).
According to the Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet (Attachment B), the applicant is
proposing to retain eight (8) trees within the property and remove the two (2) hazardous
trees. The tree credits for the remaining eight (8) trees total 58 tree credits, which exceeds
both the required tree credits and the minimum tree retention for the property. Therefore,
the Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet demonstrate compliance with the minimum
retention requirements and minimum tree credits 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: As seen on the City of Renton (COR) maps, this property has regulated
slopes (>15% & <= 25%). The proposed tree removal does not impact the geologic
stability. Therefore, the proposed action is consistent with restrictions for critical areas.
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 4-4-130F.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.
The arborist notes that Tree 1 is susceptible to failure due to a recent crown failure in
which a ten-inch (10”) diameter limb failed. Decay and bark inclusions were noted at the
separation point with indications that the decay has spread throughout the trunk of the
tree. The likelihood of impact has already proven to be high since the adjacent home was
damaged in the branch failure. Since the tree struck a home, the residents could have
been injured. An injury to life is a severe consequence. Due to significant decay and the
proven potential for property damage or personal injury, Tree 1 is classified as a high-risk
tree.
Tree 2 leans toward the home on the adjacent property and is currently chained to Tree 1
for support. The chain that connects the two (2) trees is under high tension which
indicates the tree is increasingly leaning toward the adjacent home. The arborist noted
the trunk of the tree has active nesting activity and more than 75 percent (75%) of
structural loss. The decay and lean of the tree indicate the tree is likely to fail and the lean
toward the home that is within striking distance indicates a high likelihood of impact on
the home and any people potentially inside the home. With these factors in mind, Tree 2
is classified as a high-risk tree.
Both trees meet criteria i in RMC 4-4-130F.2.c and therefore staff concurs that these high-
risk trees should be removed.
Docusign Envelope ID: EA4D2F3D-0AC0-49A8-8754-3B0FA182E848
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development 108th Ave SE Maple Tree Removal Routine Vegetation Management Permit LUA26-000070, RVMP
Permit Date: March 13, 2026 Page 3 of 4
D_108th Ave SE Maple Tree Removal_Final
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 trees are not street frontage trees nor
parking lot trees. 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 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, IF
CONDITIONS
ARE MET
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: Removal of the hazardous trees, as recommended by the arborist,
would not create a new hazardous condition; rather, it would mitigate the potential for
additional damage from the failing trees. To prevent future growth on the tree stumps,
which could produce weak limbs that are susceptible to failure, the arborist
recommends stump grinding at the time of removal. Therefore, as a condition of
approval, stump grinding of both tree stumps shall be completed immediately following
the removal of the two (2) big leaf maple trees.
YES 8. The land clearing and tree removal shall be consistent with the requirements of the
Shoreline Master Program, pursuant to RMC 4-3-090F.1, 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 108th Ave SE Maple Tree Removal Routine Vegetation Management Permit, LUA26-000070, RVMP
is Approved* and subject to the following conditions: .
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1. Following the removal of the two (2) big leaf maple trees, stump grinding of both remaining stumps must be
conducted immediately to prevent future growth.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
Matthew Herrera, Planning Director Date
Docusign Envelope ID: EA4D2F3D-0AC0-49A8-8754-3B0FA182E848
3/13/2026 | 12:17 PM PDT
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development 108th Ave SE Maple Tree Removal Routine Vegetation Management Permit LUA26-000070, RVMP
Permit Date: March 13, 2026 Page 4 of 4
D_108th Ave SE Maple Tree Removal_Final
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 March 27. 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: The Routine Vegetation Management Permit shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance. An
extension may be granted by the Administrator 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.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Arborist Report, prepared by Advanced Arboricultural Assessment, dated 11/7/2025
Attachment B: Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet
Docusign Envelope ID: EA4D2F3D-0AC0-49A8-8754-3B0FA182E848