HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Cascade_Park_Tree_Removal_FinalDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Cascade Park Tree Removal RVMP CAE_Final
PLANNING DIVISION
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT
AND CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FROM
CRITICAL AREA REGULATIONS
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: April 29, 2026
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA26-000107, RVMP, CAE
PROJECT NAME: Cascade Park Tree Removal
PROJECT MANAGER: Ian Harris, Associate Planner
APPLICANT/CONTACT: Laci Young
6412 S 900 E, Suite 200, Murray, UT 84121
OWNER: Drew Rounsville (on behalf of Cascade Park COA)
17521 118th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058
PROJECT LOCATION: 17521 118th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, Laci Young of A Plus Tree, LLC, is requesting a Routine Vegetation
Management Permit (RVMP) to remove three (3) trees located on the property at 17521
118th Ave SE. The 8.26-acre property comprises the Cascade Park Condominium
development, which includes 13 condominium buildings, associated parking
(including several carports), green spaces for residents, and an administrative office
building. The property is within the Residential Multi-Family (RMF) zone and the Benson
Community Planning Area. Per City of Renton (COR) Maps, the site contains a Type F
fish-bearing stream (Big Soos Creek).
According to the submitted Arborist Report, prepared by Jessy Jacquinot, dated
December 2, 2025 (Attachment A), one (1) Austrian pine (Pinus nigra), one (1)
Himalayan birch (Betula jacquemontii), and one (1) black cottonwood (Populus
trichocarpa) tree are recommended for removal, with the option of snagging the
Himalayan birch and black cottonwood trees. The Austrian pine and Himalayan birch
tree (Tree #17 and #32) are considered “significant trees” as they have diameters at
breast height (DBH) of 18 inches (18”) and 8.7 inches (8.7”) respectively. The black
cottonwood tree (Tree #51) is also considered a “significant tree” as it has two (2)
stems at breast height, one (1) measuring 18 inches (18”) and one (1) measuring 19
inches (19”), making the combined DBH 26 inches (26”); this is calculated using the
sum of squares method. Combined, the trees are equivalent to 21 tree credits.
According to the submitted ISA Tree Risk Assessment form for the subject trees
Docusign Envelope ID: B13C7CFF-EC02-8379-8273-D8FD1BED73C2
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Cascade Park Tree Removal
Routine Vegetation Management Permit
LUA26-000107, RVMP, CAE
Permit Date: April 29, 2026 Page 2 of 6
D_Cascade Park Tree Removal RVMP CAE_Final
(Attachment B), the arborist has classified the overall risk of the Austrian pine as
moderate, the Himalayan birch as low, and the black cottonwood as high. Based on
the provided map within the arborist report, the Himalayan birch and the black
cottonwood are both located adjacent to Big Soos Creek, within the 115-foot (115’)
buffer.
CRITICAL AREA: Type F stream buffer (Big Soos Creek)
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-3-050 Critical Areas Regulations: RMC 4-3-
050C.3.c.iii, Dangerous Trees: 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.
Limited to cutting of dangerous 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.
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. The subject property
is 8.26 acres large, meaning that the property is required to retain 249 tree credits (8.26 *
30 = 248) A tree retention and credit worksheet was not provided as part of this application
as the site is well-vegetated with 317 trees, according to the arborist report and submitted
Tree Inventory (Attachment C). The applicant estimates 1,369 credits on the property,
excluding the stream and its associated buffers. As a result, the site would continue to
exceed the minimum tree credit requirements and would maintain the minimum tree
performance standards following the removal or snagging of the three (3) subject trees.
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: According to City of Renton (COR) Maps, a Type F fish-bearing stream
(Big Soos Creek) is the only critical area mapped on-site. Trees #32 and #51 are located
within the buffer of the stream. Removal of high-risk trees is an exempt activity per Renton
Municipal Code (RMC) 4-3-050C.3.c.iii. Only Tree #51 is rated as a high-risk tree according
to the ISA Tree Risk Assessment forms. Refer to item ii in the Critical Area Exemption
Findings below for additional staff comments and a recommended condition.
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.
Docusign Envelope ID: B13C7CFF-EC02-8379-8273-D8FD1BED73C2
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Cascade Park Tree Removal
Routine Vegetation Management Permit
LUA26-000107, RVMP, CAE
Permit Date: April 29, 2026 Page 3 of 6
D_Cascade Park Tree Removal RVMP CAE_Final
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
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. Per RMC 4-11-200, Definitions T, a landmark tree is
classified as such if it measures 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. Per the City’s classification, the trees proposed for
removal are not landmark trees because their caliper size is below the required threshold
for landmark classification.
This assessment includes Tree #51, which is a black cottonwood specimen that is multi-
stemmed at breast height, resulting in a DBH of 18 inches (18”) on one stem and 19 inches
(19”) on the other. RMC Title IV does not contain any provision on how to calculate the DBH
for trees which are multi-stemmed at breast height, so Planning staff consulted the City’s
Interim Urban Forestry Manager, Gabriella Golzarian for guidance. Ms. Golzarian advised
that the city typically uses the sum of squares method to measure the DBH of multi-
stemmed trees. This method involves the summing of the squares of each individual
stem’s diameter, then taking the square root of that sum. Upon applying this equation to
Tree #51, the resulting DBH was 26 inches (26”), which is lower than the 30-inch (30”)
minimum to be considered a landmark tree.
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 trees proposed for removal or snagging are not
designated as street frontage or parking lot trees per the site map provided within the
arborist report.
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. Based on retained records, the tree maintenance
activity 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: Trees #32 and #51 are primarily located within the interior of the site and
are not essential for visual screening or buffering between land uses of differing intensity.
While Tree #17 is located adjacent to the east side property line, the land use adjacent on
the other side of the property line is also a condominium/apartment development of
similar density to Cascade Park. Additionally, the trees to be retained on the property
Docusign Envelope ID: B13C7CFF-EC02-8379-8273-D8FD1BED73C2
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Cascade Park Tree Removal
Routine Vegetation Management Permit
LUA26-000107, RVMP, CAE
Permit Date: April 29, 2026 Page 4 of 6
D_Cascade Park Tree Removal RVMP CAE_Final
ensure that a substantial tree canopy and vegetative buffer remain, including on the east
side property line near Tree #17. Given this level of retention, the removal or snagging of
the three (3) subject trees would not significantly alter screening or buffering functions.
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 submitted application materials did not indicate that the removal
or snagging of the subject trees would create or contribute to a hazardous condition.
N/A 8. The land clearing and tree removal shall be consistent with the requirements of the
Shoreline Master Program, pursuant to RMC 4-3-090F.1, Vegetation Conservation, and
RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations.
Staff Comments: Not applicable. The property is not located within the shoreline
jurisdiction.
CRITICAL AREA EXEMPTION FINDINGS:
The proposed development is consistent with the following findings pursuant to RMC section 4-3-050C.2.d:
YES, IF
CONDITIONS ARE
MET
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: Tree #17 is a significant tree rated at moderate risk and is not located
within a critical area or associated buffer. Removal of significant trees is considered a
Minor Tree Removal Activity in the Allowed Tree Removal Activity section of RMC 4-4-
130. This tree is allowed to be removed without an RVMP permit, as it complies with the
requirements listed within that subsection.
However, Tree #32 is a significant tree rated at low risk, within a Type F stream buffer.
RMC 4-3-050 Critical Areas Regulations only allows the removal of high-risk trees within
stream buffers. As the tree is not rated as high risk, it does not meet the criteria required
for allowed removal or snagging and must be left undisturbed according to Renton
Municipal Code.
Tree #51 is a significant tree rated at high risk within a Type F stream buffer. As previously
stated, RMC 4-3-050 permits the removal of high-risk trees within stream buffers.
Accordingly, this tree meets the criteria for allowed removal or snagging.
Therefore, staff recommends as a condition of approval, that the applicant be allowed
to remove Tree #17 and snag Tree #51 as recommended by the arborist in submitted
materials. In compliance with RMC 4-3-050, debris generated from the removal of Tree
#51 shall be retained as large woody debris in the buffer associated with the Type F
stream (Big Soos Creek) on-site to continue to provide ecological benefit. Tree #32 shall
remain undisturbed. Once completed, the applicant shall notify the Current Planning
Project Manager to complete an inspection.
Docusign Envelope ID: B13C7CFF-EC02-8379-8273-D8FD1BED73C2
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Cascade Park Tree Removal
Routine Vegetation Management Permit
LUA26-000107, RVMP, CAE
Permit Date: April 29, 2026 Page 5 of 6
D_Cascade Park Tree Removal RVMP CAE_Final
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: According to the documentation provided by the arborist, it is
recommended that the subject trees be removed or snagged to prevent future damage
to people and property.
YES iii. Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately
restored;
Staff Comments: The tree removal process is aimed at minimizing potential damage
to people and structures. To minimize impacts, no additional vegetation outside of Tree
#17 and Tree #51 shall be removed, as outlined in the comment and condition in item i.
of this section.
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: Two (2) of the subject trees are within the Type F stream buffer of Big
Soos Creek. Buffer disturbance shall be mitigated by native revegetation per conditions
outlined in the staff comment in item i. of this section.
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: Not applicable. The proposal does not include a significant or
substantial potential to degrade groundwater quality.
DECISION: The Project Name Routine Vegetation Management Permit and Critical Areas Exemption, LUA26-
000107, RVMP, CAE is Partially Approved and is subject to the following condition.
CONDITION OF APPROVAL:
1. The applicant shall remove Tree #17 and snag Tree #51 as recommended by the arborist in submitted
materials. In compliance with RMC 4-3-050, debris generated from the removal of Tree #51 shall be
retained as large woody debris in the buffer associated with the Type F stream (Big Soos Creek) on-site to
continue to provide ecological benefit. Tree #32 shall remain undisturbed. Once completed, the applicant
shall notify the Current Planning Project Manager to complete an 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
Docusign Envelope ID: B13C7CFF-EC02-8379-8273-D8FD1BED73C2
4/29/2026 | 11:59 AM PDT
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
Cascade Park Tree Removal
Routine Vegetation Management Permit
LUA26-000107, RVMP, CAE
Permit Date: April 29, 2026 Page 6 of 6
D_Cascade Park Tree Removal RVMP CAE_Final
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 May 13, 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 Jessy Jacquinot, dated December 2, 2025
Attachment B: Tree Inventory
Attachment C: ISA Basic Tree Risk Assessment Forms, dated December 9, 2025
Docusign Envelope ID: B13C7CFF-EC02-8379-8273-D8FD1BED73C2