HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Beclan_HOA_Tree_Removal_Critical_AreasDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Beclan HOA Tree Removal Critical Area Exemption
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM CRITICAL AREAS REGULATIONS
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: April 8, 2021
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA21-000123, CAE
PROJECT NAME: Beclan HOA Tree Removal Critical Area Exemption
PROJECT MANAGER: Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner
APPLICANT: Kirk Anderson, Beclan HOA President
5212 NE 2nd PL,
Renton, WA 98059
OWNER: Beclan HOA
325 118th Ave, Ste 204
Bellevue, WA 98005
PROJECT LOCATION: Beclan HOA Tract B, West of 5106 NE 2nd CT
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Critical Areas Exemption to remove five (5) trees and
prune one (1) tree on Tract B (Parcel number 0642150320) of Beclan development, located west of 5106 NE 2nd
CT. The six trees are currently located within a native growth protection easement and wetland buffer. The six
trees proposed for removal/pruning include four (4) Bigleaf maple trees (trees numbered 481, 485, 486, and
487), one (1) Western hemlock tree (tree number 482), and one (1) Western red cedar tree (tree number 484).
The trees range in size from 22.2 caliper inches to 55.4 caliper inches.
The applicant provided an Arborist Report, prepared by Urban Forestry Services (dated March 8, 2021;
Attachment A), with the project application, which was later reviewed by the City's Arborist, Ian Gray. The report
recommends to remove trees numbered 485, 486, and 487, or create wildlife snags. The report clarifies that
while these trees currently exhibit low overall risk rating, the trees are in a significant decline and are likely to
continue to worsen. The report clarifies that the decline is likely related to impact from previous development.
Removal or snag creation is advised at this time, otherwise future mitigation may be more difficult and
dangerous as the trees deteriorate.
The report recommends snag creations for trees number 481 and 482. These trees are also declining in heath
and have potential to impact targets, including the street or other improvements. The report states that
trenching for utilities and other construction impacts to the south of these trees has likely contributed to their
deterioration. The report recommends snag creation to mitigate the risk of failure while maintaining an essential
ecological component within the native growth protection easement.
DocuSign Envelope ID: C12BF82F-B52B-4361-8EF2-B2A0F7872D00
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations
Beclan HOA Tree Removal Critical Area Exemption LUA21-000123, CAE
Permit Date: April 8, 2021 Page 2 of 3
D_Beclan HOA Tree Removal Critical Area Exemption
To ensure trees numbered 485, 486, and 487 continue to serve an ecological function in the native growth
protection easement, staff recommends as a condition of approval that these trees be retained as snags, in
addition to trees numbered 481 and 482, rather than full tree removal. In addition, all tree debris shall be
retained within the native growth protection easement.
The report states that tree number 484 is a codominant tree in fair to good condition; however the east most
stem has a lean to the homes, and evidence of rot at the base of the tree necessitates mitigation to ensure any
potential failure does not impact the target homes. The report recommends fracture pruning tree number 484 to
create a ‘living snag’, including reducing the east-most stem of the tree by 25 percent and reducing the top 25
percent of the tree to a ‘cornett’ cut that emulates a fractured or failed part.
CRITICAL AREA: Wetland Buffer
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: Renton Municipal Code, Section 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.
FINDINGS: The proposed development is consistent with the following findings pursuant to RMC section
4-3-050C.2.d:
i.The activity is not prohibited by this or any other provision of the Renton Municipal
Code or State or Federal law or regulation;
ii.The activity will be conducted using best management practices as specified by
industry standards or applicable Federal agencies or scientific principles;
iii.Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately
restored;
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;
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.
DECISION: An exemption from the Critical Areas Regulations is hereby Approved with Conditions*
and subject to the following conditions:
DocuSign Envelope ID: C12BF82F-B52B-4361-8EF2-B2A0F7872D00
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations
Beclan HOA Tree Removal Critical Area Exemption LUA21-000123, CAE
Permit Date: April 8, 2021 Page 3 of 3
D_Beclan HOA Tree Removal Critical Area Exemption
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1.Trees numbered 481, 482, 485, 486, and 487 shall all be retained as wildlife snags, rather than full tree
removal.
2.All tree debris shall be retained within the native growth protection easement, where feasible.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
________________________________________ ____________________________________
Vanessa Dolbee, 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 April 22, 2021. An appeal of the decision must be filed within the 14-day appeal period
(RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680). Due to Governor Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 20-25 (“Stay Home, Stay
Healthy”), the City Clerk’s Office is working remotely. For that reason, appeals must be submitted electronically to the
City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov. The appeal fee, normally due at the time an appeal is submitted, will be
collected at a future date. 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. If the situation
changes such that the City Clerk’s Office is open when you file your appeal, you have the option of filing the appeal in
person.
EXPIRATION: Five (5) years from the date of decision (date signed).
Attachments: A) Arborist Report, B) City Arborist Concurrence
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4/8/2021 | 10:21 AM PDT
ATTACHMENT A
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From: Ian Gray
Sent: Tuesday, April 06, 2021 1:09 PM
To: Angelea Weihs
Subject: RE: HOA Critical Area Tract Tree Removal
Hi Angelea,
I reviewed the report and it looks fine. Please stipulate that wherever possible the stems be left as
wildlife snags – whole tree removal shall be avoided.
Best,
Ian Gray
Urban Forestry & Natural Resources Manager
Phone: 425-430-6601 Email: IGray@RentonWA.gov
From: Angelea Weihs <AWeihs@Rentonwa.gov>
Sent: Tuesday, April 6, 2021 1:02 PM
To: Ian Gray <IGray@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: FW: HOA Critical Area Tract Tree Removal
Hey Ian,
Did you have any concerns with the attached report?
Thanks,
Angelea Weihs
Associate Planner
City of Renton | 425-430-7312
1055 South Grady Way
Renton WA, 98057
From: Angelea Weihs
Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2021 2:12 PM
To: Ian Gray <IGray@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: HOA Critical Area Tract Tree Removal
ATTACHMENT B
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