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Home My WebLink AboutORD 5840 CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON ORDINANCE N0. 5840 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON,AMENDING SECTIONS 4-4-130 OF CHAPTER 4, CITY-WIDE PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT STANDARDS, AND 4-9-195 OF CHAPTER 9, PERMITS — SPECIFIC, OF TITLE IV (DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS) OF THE RENTON MUNICIPAL CODE, CLARIFYING REVIEW CRITERIA OF ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMITS. WHEREAS, the Renton Municipal Code, through its Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations, seeks to promote land development practices that result in minimal adverse disturbance to existing vegetation and soils within the City while at the same time recognizing that certain factors such as condition (e.g., disease, danger of falling, etc.), proximity to existing and proposed structures and improvements, interference with utility services, protection of scenic views, and the realization of a reasonable enjoyment of property may require the removal of certain trees and ground cover; and WHEREAS, the City provides a permit process for routine vegetation management implementing the tree retention and land clearing regulations; and WHEREAS, the City seeks to ensure that the review criteria of Routine Vegetation Management Permits are clear and concise; and WHEREAS, this matter was duly referred to the Planning Commission for investigation and study, and the matter was considered by the Planning Commission; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on January 18, 2017, considered all relevant matters, and heard all parties in support or opposition, and subsequently forwarded a recommendation to the City Council; and 1 ORDINANCE NO. 5840 WHEREAS, pursuant to RCW 36.70A.106, on February 1, 2017, the City notified the State of Washington of its intent to adopt amendments to its development regulations; NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF RENTON, WASHINGTON, DO ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS: SECTION I. Subsection 4-4-130.H.5, General Review Criteria, of Chapter 4, City-Wide Property Development Standards, of Title IV(Development Regulations) of the Renton Municipal Code, is amended as fotlows: 5. 6e�e�a�-Review Criteria: All land clearing and tree removal activities shall comply with RMC 4-4-060, Grading, Excavation, and Mining Regulations, and shall meet the following criteria: a. The land clearing and tree removal will not create or contribute to landslides, accelerated soil creep, settlement a+�-�-or subsidence� ^�� . flooding, erosion, or increased turbidity, siltation or other form of pollution in a watercourse ti rH„ i.,n,� ,.i�.,.-,..,. -.�,� +..,.,. .. ..i . .:�� _ -•�- , , , �^�c�,�^-�n^-^Qa;�c- Eb. Land clearing and tree removal will be conducted to maintain or provide visual screening and buffering between land uses of differing intensity, consistent with applicable landscaping and setback provisions of the Renton Municipa) Code. 2 ORDINANCE N0. 5840 �c. Land clearing and tree removal shall be conducted so as to expose the smallest practical area of soil to erosion for the least possible time, consistent with an approved build-out schedule and including any necessary erosion control measures. ed. Land clearing and tree removal shall be consistent with subsection D3 of this Section, Restrictions for Critical Areas — General, and RMC 4-3-050, Critical Areas Regulations. #e. The land clearin�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 mav result from selectivelv removin� trees and other ve�etation from a Iot.Q��a�r�e� �rees wi�l ner�rea�e—er�en�rib�«—a � , , gf. Land clearing and tree removal shall be conducted to maximize the preservation of any tree in good health that is an outstanding specimen because of its size, form, shape, age, color, rarity, or other distinction as a community landmark. SECTION 11. Section 4-9-195, Routine Vegetation Management Permits, of Chapter 9, Permits — Specific, of Title IV (Development Regulations) of the Renton Municipal Code, is amended as follows: 4-9-195 ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMITS: 3 ORDINANCE N0. 5840 A. PURPOSE: This Section provides a permit process for routine vegetation management implementing the tree retention and land clearing regulations in RMC 4-4-130. B. AUTHORITY: The �i#�=s Bevele�ment--�ervi�es Bivi3ien 9ires�er, er his ��I��*"�o,�;�ze� r�^r^�^^�,+;,,^ Administrator is hereby authorized and directed to interpret and - -r•-_-"'_"-..� enforce all the provisions of this Section. C. APPLICABILITY: Unless exempted by RMC 4-4-130.C, Allowed Tree Removal Activities, a Routine Vegetation Management Permit is required for any property where routine vegetation management activities are undertaken. D. PROCEDURES AND REVIEW CRITERIA: Permits for routine vegetation management shall be processed as follows: 1. Submittal: An application for a routine vegetation management permit shall be submitted to the Development Services Division together with any necessary fees as �^^��-^�' ;^ �"��*�� ^ � �^"r specified in the Citv of Renton Fee Schedule. 2. Information Required: A routine vegetation management permit application shall contain the information requested in RMC 4-8-120, Submittal Requirements—Specific to Application Type. 3. Time:The permit shall be reviewed administratively within a reasonable period of time. 4 ORDINANCE N0. 5840 4. Review Criteria:All land clearin�and tree removal activities shall comply with RMC 4-4-060, Gradin�, Excavation, and Minin� Re�ulations and shall meet the followin�criteria: a. The lot shall complv with minimum tree densitv requirements pursuant to RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearin� Re�ulations. b. The land clearin� and tree removal shall be consistent with Restrictions for Critical Areas, pursuant to RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearin� Re�ulations, and RMC 4-3-050, Critical Areas Re�ulations. c. 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 Clearin� Re�ulations. d. Street fronta�e and parkin� lot trees and landscapin� shall be preserved, unless otherwise approved by the Administrator. e. The land clearin� and tree removal shall not remove anv landscapin�or protected trees required as part of a Land Development Permit. f. The land clearin� and tree removal shall maintain visual screenin� and bufferin� between land uses of differin� intensitv, consistent with applicable landscapin� and setback provisions. � The land clearin�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 mav result from selectivelv removin� trees and other ve�etation from a lot. 5 ORDINANCE N0. 5840 45. Routine Vegetation Management Permit Conditions: The routine vegetation management permit may be denied or conditioned by the City to restrict the timing and extent of activities or to require tree replacement in order to further the intent of this Section including: a. Preserve and enhance the City's aesthetic character and maintain visual screening and buffering. b. Preserve habitat to the greatest extent feasible. c. Prevent landslides, accelerated soil creep, settlement and subsidence hazards. d. Minimize the potential for flooding, erosion, or increased turbidity, siltation or other form of pollution in a watercourse. e. Ensure that the proposal will be consistent with RMC 4-4-130.D.�3 Restrictions for Critical Areas—General, and 4-4-130.D.�4J Restrictions for Native Growth Protection Areas. �6.Time Limits for Routine Vegetation Management Permits:Any permit for routine vegetation management shall be valid for one year from the date of issuance. An extension may be granted by the ^��'�^m^^* �^-.,;�^� ^�.,�� 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. E. APPEALS: 6 ORDINANCE NO. 5840 Appeal of the decision to grant, grant with conditions, or deny a routine vegetation management permit shall be made consistent with RMC 4-8-110, Appeals. F. VIOLATIONS AND PENALTIES: Unless otherwise specified, violations of this Section are misdemeanors subject to RMC 1-3-1. SECTION III. This ordinance shall be in full force and effect five (5) days after publication of a summary of this ordinance in the City's official newspaper. The summary shall consist of this ordinance's title. PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL this 12th day of June, 2017. r I� Jason . Seth, Cit Clerk APPROVED BY THE MAYOR this 12th day of June, 2017. Denis Law, Mayor `, \��a��n�u��,,�� Approved as to form: `,`�`,`y`,��+,R��,�1!��'Oy�,,' _ C� '� • � r .x. '. s = * = SEAL = * = Shane Moloney City A orney % y�'�, � �' �� = � .��ii'c0��`/,'�'n�u��`�.�`,`�'```�: Date of Publication: 6/16/2017 (summarv) ,,,, S ��i��p�RATEO �Q`��`� �i��t��`� ORD:1958:5/25/17:scr 7