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Home My WebLink AboutD_18201_124th_Ave_SE_Tree_Removal_RVMP_FinalDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT D_18201 124th Ave SE Tree Removal_RVMP PLANNING DIVISION ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT EVALUATION FORM & DECISION DATE OF DECISION: June 30, 2026 PROJECT NUMBER: LUA26-000200, RVMP PROJECT NAME: 18201 124th Ave SE Tree Removal PROJECT MANAGER: Mariah Kerrihard, Associate Planner APPLICANT/CONTACT: Jeffrey Warrick, Eastside Tree Works 32517 NE 77th St, Carnation, WA 98014 OWNER: Timothy Yaw and Deborah Hendricks 18201 124th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 PROJECT LOCATION: 18201 124th Ave SE Renton, WA 98058 (APN 3323059026) PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting approval of a Routine Vegetation Management Permit (RVMP) to remove two (2) high-risk big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) trees identified as Tree #7 and Tree #8 within the submitted site plan (Attachment A). Tree #7 has been assessed at 40 inches (40") in diameter and Tree #8 has been assessed at 37.25 inches (37.25") in diameter. The subject property is located at 18201 124th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 (APN 3323059026). The 41,864-square-foot (0.96 acre) property is situated within the Residential-4 (R-4) zone and the Benson Community Planning Area. The subject property is developed with an existing 2,020-square-foot single-family residence built in 1949, together with a 770- square-foot detached garage and an estimated 330-square-foot detached garage. The submitted site plan identifies 27 trees on the subject property, including two (2) trees proposed for removal and 25 trees proposed for retention. A Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Report, prepared by Jeffrey Warrick and dated April 28, 2026 (Attachment B), was submitted with the application. According to the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Report, both trees proposed for removal are big leaf maples exceeding 30 inches (30”) in diameter and therefore qualify as landmark trees. The submitted Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet (Attachment C) identifies the two (2) trees proposed for removal as high-risk and deducts them from the minimum retention calculation. Following the proposed removals, 25 significant trees would remain on the site, providing 171 tree credits, exceeding the minimum requirement of 29 tree credits. According to City of Renton (COR) Maps, a high erosion hazard area is mapped on the subject property. CRITICAL AREA: High Erosion Hazard Area GENERAL REVIEW CRITERIA 4-9-195D.4: Docusign Envelope ID: C246D675-C880-8529-839D-BBA1A962F14B City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit 18201 124th Ave SE Tree Removal LUA26-000200, RVMP Permit Date: June 30, 2026 Page 2 of 4 D_18201 124th Ave SE Tree Removal_RVMP 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 is approximately 41,864 square feet (0.96 acre). Based on the property size, 29 tree credits are required to meet the minimum tree density requirement (30 tree credits/acre × 0.96 acres = 28.8 credits). The submitted Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet (Attachment C) identifies 27 significant trees onsite, with two (2) trees deducted as high-risk, leaving 25 trees for retention analysis. The worksheet indicates that 25 trees are proposed for retention, exceeding the minimum 30 percent (30%) retention requirement of seven and one-half (7.5) trees. After the proposed removal of two (2) trees, the retained trees maintain 171 tree credits on the subject property. In accordance with RMC 4-4-130, the proposal complies with the minimum tree retention and tree credit 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: According to the City’s mapping system, the subject property contains a high erosion hazard area in the southeast portion of the property. Based on the limited scope of the proposal and existing improvements, staff finds that the proposed tree removal would not adversely affect the mapped critical area on the site. Therefore, the proposed action is consistent with the critical areas regulations. 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. i. The tree is determined to be a high-risk tree; or ii. The tree is causing obvious physical damage to buildings (over 200 square feet), driveways, parking lots, or utilities, and it can be demonstrated to the Administrator’s satisfaction that no reasonable alternative to tree removal exist, including tree root pruning, tree root barriers, tree cabling, or preventative maintenance, such as cleaning leaf debris, deadwood removal, or directional/clearance pruning; 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: According to RMC 4-11-200Y.2, a landmark tree is 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. Tree #7 and Tree #8 are identified as big leaf maples measuring 40 inches (40") and 37.25 inches (37.25") in diameter, respectively, and therefore both qualify as landmark trees. The trees proposed for removal would be classified as landmark trees due to the diameter at breast height (DBH) and a RVMP is required for the removal of any landmark trees. Docusign Envelope ID: C246D675-C880-8529-839D-BBA1A962F14B City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit 18201 124th Ave SE Tree Removal LUA26-000200, RVMP Permit Date: June 30, 2026 Page 3 of 4 D_18201 124th Ave SE Tree Removal_RVMP Pursuant to RMC 4-4-130F.2.c.i, a landmark tree may be removed if it is determined to be high-risk. RMC 4-11-200Y.1 classifies a high-risk tree as having a probable or imminent likelihood of failure, a medium or high likelihood of impact, and significant or severe consequences in the event of failure. The submitted Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Report (Attachment B) identifies both trees as high-risk, and the Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet (Attachment C) deducts both from the retention calculation on that basis. According to the Tree Risk Assessment Qualification Report prepared by Jeffrey Warrick on April 28, 2026, Tree #7 and Tree #8 are approximately 70 feet (70’) tall, big leaf maples in fair overall health with large, unbalanced crowns, excessive end weight, and about 30 percent (30%) dead branches up to eight inches (8”) in diameter. The assessment documents previous branch failures, codominant stems with included bark, trunk decay, and full wind exposure for both trees, with a 15-degree lean of Tree #7 and Tree #8 toward nearby use targets. Targets identified in the assessment include people, a garage or shed, and the primary residence, with a high likelihood of impact and severe consequences for both branch and stem failures. Based on these conditions, the arborist assigns a high overall tree risk rating to each tree and recommends removal as the mitigation option. Based on the submitted materials; the proposal satisfies the review criterion for removal of landmark trees. 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 trees are not street frontage trees nor parking lot trees. Neither street frontage nor parking landscape is proposed to be removed. 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. 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 diminish existing visual screening and does not affect required landscaping. According to the site plan, the trees are located near the interior of the lot rather than at the property boundaries, where screening vegetation typically serves adjacent uses. The surrounding properties are all developed with single-family residential uses within the Residential-4 (R-4) zone, so the removal would not create any inconsistency or disruption in 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 trees, as recommended by the arborist, would not create hazardous conditions. Instead, it would mitigate potential damage to property on the project site either through branch failure, branch-stem Docusign Envelope ID: C246D675-C880-8529-839D-BBA1A962F14B City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit 18201 124th Ave SE Tree Removal LUA26-000200, RVMP Permit Date: June 30, 2026 Page 4 of 4 D_18201 124th Ave SE Tree Removal_RVMP failure, or complete stem failures of the trunk. N/A 8. The land clearing and tree removal shall be consistent with the requirement 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 18201 124th Ave SE Tree Removal, LUA26-000200, 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 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 July 14, 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: Site Plan Attachment B: Arborist Report, prepared by Jeffrey Warrick, dated April 28, 2026 Attachment C: Tree Retention and Credit Worksheet Docusign Envelope ID: C246D675-C880-8529-839D-BBA1A962F14B 6/30/2026 | 9:04 AM PDTClark H. Close for