HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_RVMPLUA22-000314_v2DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_RMVPLUA22-000270_v3
PLANNING DIVISION
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: September 26, 2022
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA22-000314, RVMP
PROJECT NAME: 564 Nile Ave NE Tree Removal
PROJECT MANAGER: Andrew Van Gordon, Associate Planner
APPLICANT: Van Tran
564 Nile Ave NE
Renton, WA 98059
OWNER: Same as Applicant
CONTACT: Same as Applicant
PROJECT LOCATION: 564 Nile Ave NE, Renton, WA 98059 (APN 2739200040)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting approval of a Routine Vegetation Management
Permit (RVMP) to allow for the removal of one (1) Douglas Fir with a caliper of
34 inches (34”). A Routing Vegetation Management Permit is required for the
removal of any landmark tree without an associated land development permit.
The property is approximately 9,629 square feet (.22 acre) in size. The property
is located within the Residential 4 (R-4) zone.
The applicant proposes to remove one (1) Douglas Fir. The tree is in the north-
western portion of the property in the front yard near above ground power
lines and public right-of-way (Nile Ave NE). Per the Arborist Report
(Attachment 1), the tree is dying with only approximately 10 percent (10%)
living foliage remaining. The tree has a probable chance of failure, a
medium/high likelihood of impact and a significant/severe consequence of
failure.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5EFDFF45-9145-4573-B9AB-AA982FA86D13
Routine Vegetation Management Permit
LUA22-000314, RVMP
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
564 Nile Ave NE Tree Removal
Permit Date: September 26, 2022 Page 2 of 4
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT REVIEW CRITERIA 4-9-195D4:
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: The minimum tree density requirement is 30 tree credits per net
acre. The property is approximately 9,629 square feet (0.22 acre); seven (7) tree
credits are required (0.22 acre x 30 tree credits = 6.6, rounded up to 7 tree credits).
A minimum of 30% of significant trees are required to be retained on the site; per
the provided site plan (Attachment 2), there is a total of eight (8) significant trees
onsite.
Seven (7) significant trees would remain after removal of the Douglas Fir for a total
of 46 tree credits. The lot would comply with minimum tree density and retention
requirements pursuant to RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing
Regulations following removal of the high risk Douglas fir.
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: Not applicable. Per COR Maps, the tree proposed to be removed
is not within a critical area or critical area buffer.
YES 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.
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: A landmark tree is defined as 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. The
Douglas Fir proposed to be removed has a caliper of 34 inches (34”) and is a
landmark tree.
A high-risk tree is any tree that has been certified in a written arborist report,
prepared by an arborist with an ISA Tree Risk Assessment Qualifications (TRAQ),
as possessing the following the ISA Tree Risk Assessment characterizations:
1.The tree has a probable or imminent likelihood of failure; and
2.The tree has a medium or high likelihood of impact; and
D_RMVPLUA22-000270_v3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5EFDFF45-9145-4573-B9AB-AA982FA86D13
Routine Vegetation Management Permit
LUA22-000314, RVMP
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
564 Nile Ave NE Tree Removal
Permit Date: September 26, 2022 Page 3 of 4
3.The consequences of failure for the tree are significant or severe.
Per the Arborist Report, prepared by Brad Case, an ISA TRAQ certified arborist, the
tree has a probable chance of failure. It has a high likelihood of the trunk striking
the house and nearby power lines; it has a medium chance of the trunk striking
the street and the limbs striking the power lines. The consequences of failure
would be high for the trunk striking the house and street and the limbs striking the
power lines. The consequences of failure would be severe for the trunk striking the
power lines.
The tree proposed for removal meets the definition of a high -risk tree and is
dangerous. Removal of the tree meets review criteria for removal of a landmark
tree.
YES 4.Street frontage and parking lot trees and landscaping shall be preserved unless
otherwise approved by the Administrator.
Staff Comments: Not applicable. The tree is not a street frontage tree or a parking
lot tree. Neither street frontage or parking landscaping is proposed to be removed.
YES 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: Not applicable. Detached dwellings are adjacent to 564 Nile Ave
NE and are of an equal intensity as the existing detached dwelling.
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 RVMP is being requested due to the necessity to remove one
(1)high risk tree. The Arborist Report did not indicate that the removal of the tree
would create or contribute to a hazardous condition, but instead indicated that it
could cause greater damage in the future if retained.
DECISION: 564 Nile NE Tree Removal, for the removal of one (1) Douglas Fir tree as shown in the
arborist report (Attachment 1) is Approved.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
________________________________________ ____________________________________
Vanessa Dolbee, Planning Director Date
D_RMVPLUA22-000270_v3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5EFDFF45-9145-4573-B9AB-AA982FA86D13
9/26/2022 | 10:53 AM PDT
Routine Vegetation Management Permit
LUA22-000314, RVMP
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
564 Nile Ave NE Tree Removal
Permit Date: September 26, 2022 Page 4 of 4
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 their decision if material evidence not
readily discoverable prior to the original decision is found or if they find 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 October 10, 2022.
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 the ongoing state of emergency enacted by Governor’s Proclamation 20-28.14 (and as
amended), the City Clerk’s Office is working remotely. For that reason, 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. Appeal s 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 (1) year from the date of
decision. An extension may be granted by the Planning Division for a period of one (1) year upon
application by the property owner or manager. Application for such an extension must be made at least
30 days in advance of the expiration of the original permit and shall include a statement of justification for
the extension.
Attachments:
Attachment 1: Arborist Report prepared by Brad Case, May 29, 2022
Attachment 2: Site Plan
D_RMVPLUA22-000270_v3
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5EFDFF45-9145-4573-B9AB-AA982FA86D13
8716 304th Ave Ct E Graham, Wa 98338
Client and Location:
Van Tran
564 Nile Ave NE
Renton, WA 98059
OBSERVATIONS:
Tree #1, (Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) 34” DBH approx. 90’ height) is a nearly
dead tree, on our Client’s property. The fir tree is located adjacent to utility lines, on the
western side of the property close to Nile Ave. The tree is nearly dead with approx. 10%
living foliage remaining. The tree has had multiple limb failures in the past several
months.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
It is my recommendation, the removal of this tree should be done immediately, to
eliminate threat to the residence, utility lines, pedestrians, and motor vehicles traveling
close to this property. Our client is willing to replant native species on the property.
BRAD CASE
ISA - TRAQ CERTIFIED ARBORIST
PN – 7332A
(253) 850-7677
brad@devotedgroup.com
Limiting conditions:
Unless expressed otherwise: information contained in this report covers only those items that were examined and
reflects the condition of those items at the time of inspection; and the inspection is limited to a visual examination of
the items without dissection, excavation, probing or coring. There is not a war ranty guarantee, expressed or implied,
that problems or deficiencies of the plants or property in question may not arise in the future.
RECEIVED
PLANNING DIVISION
08/24/2022
AVanGordon
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5EFDFF45-9145-4573-B9AB-AA982FA86D13
RECEIVED
PLANNING DIVISION
08/17/2022
AVanGordon
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5EFDFF45-9145-4573-B9AB-AA982FA86D13
RECEIVED
PLANNING DIVISION
08/17/2022AVanGordon
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5EFDFF45-9145-4573-B9AB-AA982FA86D13
Van Tran Property – 564 Nile Ave NE Renton, WA 98059
Parcel number: 2739200040
X - Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) – Dead
1. Apple 13.4” Avg DBH
2. Apple 18.9” Avg DBH
3. Apple 21.3” Avg DBH
4. Flowering Cherry 3”
5. Flowering Cherry 3.5”
6. Quince 7.7” Avg DBH
7. Doug fir 29.2”
8. Flowering Cherry 5.9” Avg DBH
9. Flowering Cherry 6.2” Avg DBH
10. Japanese Maple 4”
11. Japanese Maple 12” Avg DBH
N
RECEIVED
PLANNING DIVISION
09/01/2022
AVanGordon
DocuSign Envelope ID: 5EFDFF45-9145-4573-B9AB-AA982FA86D13