HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Winsper I Tree Removal_211102_v2DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_Winsper I Tree Removal_211102_v2.MBedits
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM CRITICAL AREAS REGULATIONS
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: November 30, 2021
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA21-000397 CAE
PROJECT NAME: Winsper I Tree Removal
PROJECT MANAGER: Brittany Gillia, Assistant Planner
APPLICANT: Breze Reed, J&M Management
17404 Meridian E Ste F PMB 171,
Puyallup, WA 98375
OWNER: J&M Management
17404 Meridian E Ste F PMB 171,
Puyallup, WA 98375
PROJECT LOCATION: Winsper Division I, Tract F (APN 9485750560)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, J&M Management, is requesting approval of a Critical Areas
Exemption in order to remove or reduce a dangerous tree in Tract F (APN 9485750560) of the Winsper I
subdivision. The Winsper Subdivision was approved by King County and constructed prior to the City’s 1994
annexation of the area. The site is located within the Residential-8 (R-8) zone and is approximately 17,145 square
feet. An arborist report prepared by James L. Jennings was submitted with the project application (Attachment A).
The subject tree (tree #1) is a 24-inch diameter at breast height (DBH) Cottonwood (Populus fremontii) located
along the southeast boundary of Tract F and within striking distance of 739 32nd Pl S. According to the report, the
subject tree has height of approximately 70 feet, a crown spread of 15 feet and is completely dead. Jennings states
that the tree has died and is fully exposed to wind. The condition of the trunk and crown combined with the
species profile increase the tree’s risk of failure. The submitted materials contend that there is a high risk of
damage to property and injury to people and the tree is recommended to be removed or reduced to a safe height
immediately. There is a second Cottonwood tree (tree #2) on the south end of the parcel that is approximately 75
feet in height that has an unbalanced crown, with a few large branches leaning towards the roadside. Given the
state of the tree and species profile, end-weight reduction pruning is highly recommended by Jennings to reduce
risk to vehicles and passerby. Upon creation of the Winsper subdivision, Tract F was designated as a Native Growth
Protection Easement (NGPE) by King County and the plat is labeled to note the presence of wetlands within the
tract. Per the face of the plat, written permission is required to alter any vegetation within the easement.
CRITICAL AREA: Wetlands
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5A772894-3733-4DC9-9412-2A567C0DDC11
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations
Winsper I Tree Removal LUA21-000397 CAE
Permit Date: November 30, 2021 Page 2 of 3
D_Winsper I Tree Removal_v2
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;
Staff Comment: Approval of this exemption will act as written permission to allow the
removal and pruning of trees in Tract F of the Winsper I subdivision.
ii. The activity will be conducted using best management practices as specified by industry
standards or applicable Federal agencies or scientific principles;
Staff Comment: According to the arborist report (Attachment A), Jennings recommends
the removal of tree #1 and pruning of tree #2 to retain tree #2 in a healthy manner and
to reduce the potential hazards.
i. Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately
restored;
Staff Comment: According to submitted materials, both of the subject trees are located
toward the outer edge of the Native Growth Protection Easement (NGPE). Removal or
pruning of the trees are not anticipated to cause a disturbance within the tract.
ii. 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;
iii. 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:
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1. The applicant shall reduce tree #1 to a wildlife snag and retain the felled tree as large woody debris for
natural habitat where feasible.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5A772894-3733-4DC9-9412-2A567C0DDC11
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations
Winsper I Tree Removal LUA21-000397 CAE
Permit Date: November 30, 2021 Page 3 of 3
D_Winsper I Tree Removal_v2
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 December 14, 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:
Attachment A: Arborist Report
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5A772894-3733-4DC9-9412-2A567C0DDC11
11/30/2021 | 2:56 PM PST
JENNINGS TREE PRESERVATION, LLC
JENNITP806DZ Certified Arborist Report
James L. Jennings
ISA Certified Arborist
PN-8541A
Site Location:
Tract F
739 32nd Place South
Renton, WA 98055
Prepared For:Winspur Homeowner ’s Association
Date of Inspection: September 29th, 2021 4:00pm
Tools Used:Tape measure, visual
The site location at 739 32nd Place South is a residential property on flat land,with no
critical slope and saturated soil.Conditions at the time of inspection were sunny and fair,
with a SSW prevailing wind.
Tree #1 Description:This is a 70’cottonwood (Populus fremontii)with a diameter at
breast height (DBH)of roughly 24’’and a crown spread of 15’.This tree was growing
on flat ground;no topographical slope.This cottonwood has a history of branch failures
and the entire top has failed in the past.Tree #1’s overall vigor rating is low:100%
necrotic, Tree #1 is completely dead.
Tree #1 Defect Conditions:This tree has died,and is fully exposed to wind.The
condition of the trunk and crown combined with the species profile increases this tree’s
risk of failure.There is a house is well-within striking distance of this tree,as it is
situated within 1x the height of the tree.This house is constantly occupied,and has zero
protection in the event of tree failure.The likelihood of a whole-tree failure event is
ATTACHMENT A
RECEIVED
11/02/2021 BGillia
PLANNING DIVISION
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5A772894-3733-4DC9-9412-2A567C0DDC11
probable,and the likelihood of impact on this structure is high.A combined failure and
impact event is likely,with consequences of failure being severe towards property and
occupants.
Fig 1: Tree#1 dead top Fig.2: Tree #1 proximity to structure
Tree Risk Rating for Tree #1 :High; Tree # 1 is a hazard to property and occupants.
Mitigation Options for Tree #1:Recommend removal,with no residual risk.No other
mitigation options available, as this tree has already died.
Additional Note:During my inspection,I also noticed another cottonwood approximately
75’in height with a DBH of approximately 2.5,also on Tract F,near the roadside.This
cottonwood is situated along the cul de sac,and has an unbalanced crown,with a few
large branches leaning towards the roadside.Given the state of the tree and species
profile,end-weight reduction pruning is highly recommended to reduce risk to vehicles
and passerby.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5A772894-3733-4DC9-9412-2A567C0DDC11
The image below is a portion of a map detailing Tract F,with the blue dot indicating Tree
# 1 and the red dot indicating the leaning cottonwood near the cul de sac:
Please note that risk does increase with time.Do not hesitate to contact me via phone or
email should you have any additional questions or to schedule an appointment for
removal.
James Jennings
ISA Certified Arborist, TRAQ Qualified
Phone: (425) 622-5403
Email:jenningstreepreservation@gmail.com
Website:www.jenningstreepreservation.com
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5A772894-3733-4DC9-9412-2A567C0DDC11