The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutD_Harsch_RVMP_16379 129th AVE SE_231220_FINDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT D_Harsch_RVMP_16379_129th_Ave_SE_231220_Final PLANNING DIVISION ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT EVALUATION FORM & DECISION DATE OF DECISION: December 20, 2023 PROJECT NUMBER: LUA23-000401, RVMP PROJECT NAME: Harsch RVMP-16379 129th Ave SE PROJECT MANAGER: Mariah Kerrihard, Assistant Planner APPLICANT: Brad Case 2602 64th Ave NE Tacoma, WA 98422 OWNER: Patti Harsch 7804 129th Ave SE Newcastle, WA 98056 CONTACT: Same as Applicant PROJECT LOCATION: 16379 129th Ave SE (APN 2473381080) PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is seeking approval for a Routine Vegetation Management Permit (RVMP) for the removal of a single landmark tree, a 35-inch (35”) DBH Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), on the property located at 16379 129th Ave SE, Renton, WA. The lot size of the property is 0.16 acres (7000 square feet) necessitating the applicant to maintain a minimum of five (5) tree credits. Upon the removal of the 12 credit landmark tree, the remaining tree credits on the property will amount to 18 tree credits. The remaining two (2) trees would be a Blue Spruce with a 28-inch (28”) DBH and a Norway Maple with a 20-inch (20”) DBH both in good health and low risk. The applicant, supported by an arborist report from ISA Certified Arborist Brad Case conducted, a comprehensive tree survey describing the physical damage that has occurred to the to the home, walkway, and driveway and the risk to individuals. CRITICAL AREA: None EXPIRATION DATE: One (1) year from issuance GENERAL 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: In accordance with RMC 4-4-130.H, tree credit requirements must meet a minimum rate of 30 credits per net acre. The applicant provided a tree credit calculation within the arborist report (see Attachment 1), indicating that the site initially held a total of DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit Harsch RVMP 16379 129th Ave SE LUA23-000401, RVMP Permit Date: December 20, 2023 Page 2 of 4 D_Harsch_RVMP_16379_129th_Ave_SE_231220_Final 30 tree credits. Following the removal of one (1) tree, resulting in a loss of 12 credits, the site would then possess a total of 18 tree credits. Considering the site's total area, approximately 0.16 net acres, and applying the rate of 30 credits per acre (30 credits x .16 acres = 4.8 credits), the site would comply with the tree credit requirement. This is contingent on the removal of the one (1) Douglas Fir tree (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and the retention of the preserved trees with a 20-28” caliper. N/A 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. The subject lot is not mapped with applicable critical areas. YES 3. Removal of a landmark tree shall meet the review criteria for removal off 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: Criterion ii. has been met. The applicant is requesting to remove one (1) landmark tree—a 35-inch (35”) DBH Douglas Fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii). A Routine Vegetation Management Permit is mandatory for the removal of any landmark tree, which is not a part of a land development permit. Numerous large branch failures in the crown have caused obvious physical damage to the dwelling. Additionally, extensive surface roots are inflicting harm on the property and posing hazards for pedestrians using the walkway. A certified arborist's written report (see Attachment 1) identified this Douglas Fir as causing obvious physical damage, meeting the criteria for tree removal. This specific tree has resulted in obvious physical damage to both the driveway and the residence. Presently, the property features two (2) landmark trees and one (1) significant tree. The arborist who assessed the tree, identified it as posing a high risk and recommends its removal following attempted maintenance options. Staff visited the site on December 11, 2023, and visually inspected the tree. In consultation with the applicant’s arborist and during this site visit, it was determined that pruning the tree’s roots beneath the driveway or pruning the tree canopy were not reasonable alternatives due to attempting this alternative prior to the last branch failure. According to the arborist, there are no other reasonable alternatives to the roots that continue to grow underneath the aggregate walkway at the front door creating a trip hazard, cutting any more roots could destabilize the tree. Therefore, staff concurs with the determination of obvious physical damage and recommends approval for the removal of the landmark tree. DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit Harsch RVMP 16379 129th Ave SE LUA23-000401, RVMP Permit Date: December 20, 2023 Page 3 of 4 D_Harsch_RVMP_16379_129th_Ave_SE_231220_Final 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 tree is not a part of street frontage, parking lot or landscaping trees. 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 was not required as part of a land development permit for landscaping or tree requirements. Neither street frontage nor parking landscaping is proposed to be removed. 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 is adjacent to a lot with a detached dwelling and is a use of equal intensity. Removal of the tree would not remove required visual screening and buffering between land uses of differing 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: Provided documentation did not indicate that the removal of the tree would create or contribute to a hazardous condition. N/A 8. The land clearing and tree removal shall be consistent with the requirement of the Shoreline Master Program, pursuant to RMC 4-3-090F1, 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 Harsch RVMP-16379 129th Ave SE, LUA23-000401, RVMP is Approved . *CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: None SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION: ________________________________________ ____________________________________ Matthew Herrera, Acting Planning Director Date DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 12/20/2023 | 12:07 PM PST City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit Harsch RVMP 16379 129th Ave SE LUA23-000401, RVMP Permit Date: December 20, 2023 Page 4 of 4 D_Harsch_RVMP_16379_129th_Ave_SE_231220_Final 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 January 3, 2024. 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 Planning Division for a period of one 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. Attachment: Attachment 1 – Arborist Report cc: owner DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 Austin Yancy Matt’s Tree and Landscape ISA Certified Arborist ISA TRAQ Certified PN-9564A (903)229 -2237 ADDITIONAL NARRATIVE CUSTOMER: Patti Harsh ADDRESS: 16379 129th Ave SE, Renton, WA 98058 TREE IN QUESTION: 35”/90’ Douglas Fir - This tree has caused many issues in the past and will continue causing issues if it is not removed in the near future. The customer currently has a tenant living on site and this tenant has brought attention to the front entrance being a high risk tripping hazard due to the roots lifting up the concrete. If anything was to happen and the tenant happened to trip, then the customer could be held liable for not mitigating this risk. Additionally there have been numerous times where a large branch has fallen on the roof causing property damage (photos attached). In fact, a couple days ago this happened again (December 3rd, 2023). Matt’s Tree service has trimmed the tree in the past to help mitigate branch failure but because of the high winds we get here, branch failure continues to happen and cause damage to the property. In addition to this, a water pipe breakage occurred years ago likely due to the invading roots from this tree. DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 Austin Yancy Matt’s Tree and Landscape ISA Certified Arborist ISA TRAQ Certified PN-9564A (903)229 -2237 This branch fell on the roof and then landed on the ground in front of the house a year ago.. DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69 Austin Yancy Matt’s Tree and Landscape ISA Certified Arborist ISA TRAQ Certified PN-9564A (903)229 -2237 This is the branch that fell a couple days ago which the tenant reported to the customer DocuSign Envelope ID: B12E2EC4-6BF3-43DA-83BC-2FA3A6AE3A69