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Home My WebLink AboutD_Union_670_HOA_RVMP_20231222DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT D_Union_670_HOA_RVMP_231222 PLANNING DIVISION ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT EVALUATION FORM & DECISION DATE OF DECISION: December 22, 2023 PROJECT NUMBER: LUA23-000414, RVMP PROJECT NAME: Union 670 HOA RVMP PROJECT MANAGER: Mariah Kerrihard, Assistant Planner APPLICANT: Kim Southwell 4116 NE 6th Pl Renton, WA 98059 OWNER: Union 670 Condo Association Address CONTACT: Kim Southwell 4116 NE 6th Pl Renton, WA 98059 PROJECT LOCATION: 4114 NE 6th Pl (APN 8809600000) PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is seeking approval for a Routine Vegetation Management Permit (RVMP) to remove two high-risk Cottonwood trees and maintain one moderate-risk Cottonwood tree (7-inch DBH) at the property located at 4114 NE 6th Pl, Renton, WA, with a lot size of 0.71 acres (31,112 square feet). According to the arborist report, the trunks 14-16 and trunks 18-20 are two (2) separate trees with multiple trunks. Trunks 14-16 with a 24-inch (24”) DBH, 19-inch (19”) DBH, and 16-inch (16”) DBH; trunks 18-20 with 20-inch (20”) DBH, 22-inch (22”) DBH, and 23-inch (23”) DBH. Notably, the two trees with multiple trunks are considered landmark trees. The property requires a minimum of 21 tree credits, and after removing 54 tree credits, at least 143 tree credits would remain. Supported by an arborist report from ISA Certified Arborist Terrence Flately and ISA Certified Arborist Alan Haywood, a comprehensive tree survey outlines physical property damage and risks to individuals. The arborist identifies two sprout-origin trees as high-risk due to size, top-heaviness, severe lean, and lopsided root systems. The fallen tree, as per the owner, exhibited conks (a type of fungus) on its main stem. This resulted in a partial failure of tree number 21, causing evident physical damage to the residence, fencing, and driveway. With a 27-inch DBH, the Cottonwood tree (Tree number 21) is identified as the source of the property damage, leading the owner to seek removal of its trunk due to the presence of fungus. The arborist report suggests an alternative to complete removal—reducing the tree heights to a level below the property distance. Tree number 6, identified as a moderate-risk Cottonwood (7-inch DBH) in the report, will be maintained and reduced to a height below the property distance. CRITICAL AREA: None DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit Union 670 HOA RVMP LUA23-000414, RVMP Permit Date: December 22, 2023 Page 2 of 4 D_Union_670_HOA_RVMP_231222 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. Only the trees on the east side of the property were evaluated and inventoried. There are at least 197 tree credits on the site. Following the removal of three (3) trees, resulting in a loss of 54 credits, the site would then possess at least 143 tree credits. Considering the site's total area, approximately 0.71 net acres, and applying the rate of 30 credits per acre (30 credits x .71 acres = 21 credits), the site would comply with the tree credit requirement. This is contingent on the removal of the three (3) Cottonwood trees and the retention of the preserved trees on the property. 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: COR maps has identified a landslide hazard area on the property. The designation was likely made prior to the area being developed based on the improvements made to the neighborhood and current topography. 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 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 two (2) landmark trees—one Cottonwood tree with multiple trunks 14-16 with a 24-inch (24”) DBH, 19-inch (19”) DBH, and 16-inch (16”) DBH. The other Cottonwood tree with multiple trunks 18-20 with 20-inch (20”) DBH, 22-inch (22”) DBH, and 23-inch (23”) DBH. A Routine Vegetation Management Permit is mandatory for the removal of any landmark tree, which is not a part of a land development permit. A certified arborist's written report (see Attachment 1) identified the Cottonwood trees that have potential root decay associated with a decaying parent-stump and waterlogged soils 3 to 4 months out of the year, he considers them high-risk trees. These trees have buildings and individuals as targets, meeting the criteria for tree removal. The arborist who assessed the tree, identified it as posing a high risk and recommends its removal following attempted maintenance options. DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit Union 670 HOA RVMP LUA23-000414, RVMP Permit Date: December 22, 2023 Page 3 of 4 D_Union_670_HOA_RVMP_231222 According to the arborist, there is a reasonable alternative for some of the high-risk trees, The reasonable alternative is reducing the height of the trees to a height less than the distance to the property. This can provide additional wildlife habitat. Therefore, staff concurs with the determination of obvious physical damage and recommends approval for maintenance and partial removal for the high-risk trunks of the landmark tree. 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 Union 670 HOA RVMP, LUA23-000414, RVMP is Approved . *CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: None DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit Union 670 HOA RVMP LUA23-000414, RVMP Permit Date: December 22, 2023 Page 4 of 4 D_Union_670_HOA_RVMP_231222 SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION: ________________________________________ ____________________________________ Matthew Herrera, Acting 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 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 5 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 dated December 16, 2023 cc: Applicant DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 12/22/2023 | 12:28 PM PST ARBORIST REPORT 4114 NORTHEAST 6 PLACE, RENTON, WASHINGTON 98059 In Association With Alan Haywood Certiﬁed Arborist/ TRAQ DECEMBER 16, 2023 Prepared by Terrence J. Flatley Forester/Certiﬁed Arborist UNION 670 CONDOMINIUMS HOA DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 Union 670 Condominium Homeowners Association 4114 NE 6 Place, Renton, Washington 98059 Introduction The Union 670 Condominium Homeowners Association (HOA) reference address is 4114 Northeast 6 Place, Renton, WA 98059. The development contains three buildings with 2 units per building and an undeveloped wooded area along Northeast 6 Place. County records indicate this is parcel number 8809600000 and comprises 31,112 square feet of land. The parcel is further identified as being located in the Southwest Quarter of Section 10, Township 23 North, Range 5 East of King County but within Renton city limits. While other trees exist on the developed portion of the property, this report focused on the wooded area at the east end of the parcel. Two trees failed in this area during the week of December 4, 2023 causing extensive damage to one of the buildings and other property damage. The residents that live there were home but uninjured and are now fearful being in the building because of other trees nearby they are concerned about. Data Collection Methods All trees in wooded areas were visually inspected by viewing surface roots, the root collar, trunk flare, trunk and branches. Trees were tapped or sounded with a mallet to ascertain defects such as hollows or decay not visible from outside the trees. Targets were located and included fences, yards, buildings, driveways, utilities, vehicles, sidewalks, streets and other areas where damage to property or people might occur if a tree failed in whole or in part. One cottonwood tree has buckled the asphalt roadway. Equipment used to inspect trees included a steel D-tape for measuring tree diameters at 54 inches from the ground, commonly referred to as DBH (diameter at breast height). A mallet for tapping tree trunks up to 8 feet as well as visible roots in order to sound for hollows or wood decay and rot interior of the bark. Binoculars were used for observing the upper crowns and a camera. Following recording of tree data, each suspect tree was numbered using yellow forestry tape and black marker. DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 ARBORIST REPORT Alan Haywood, an International Society of Arboriculture Certified Arborist with a Tree Risk Assessment Qualification (TRAQ) completed seven TRAQ forms for trees to consider for removal. Tree Location Maps Page of 2 9 Union 670 Condominium HOA Figure 1. Neighborhood Area Map with Parcel Highlighted in Yellow Figure 2. Tree Location Map DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 ARBORIST REPORT Tree Inventory Table 1 contains the entire tree inventory on the east end of the parcel. There are at least 7 other trees within the footprint of each building but not represented in the table. The tree numbers in the table correspond with their locations in Figure 2. Trees shown with red background in the table are those of greatest concern to the HOA. Table 1. Tree Inventory Tree No.Species DBH (Inches)Height (Feet)Condition (%)Risk Rating 1 Cottonwood 32 128 100 Low 2 Cottonwood 29 125 80 Low 3 Cottonwood 23 131 90 Low 4 Oregon ash 8 32 100 Low 5 Cottonwood 13 95 60 Low 6 Cottonwood 7 60 0 Moderate 7 Cottonwood 20 130 90 Low 8 Oregon ash 9 45 60 Low 9 Oregon ash 4 12 30 Low 10 Cottonwood 12 56 40 Low 11 Red alder 6 25 60 Low 12 Bigleaf maple 10 25 50 Low 13 Oregon ash 8 32 50 Low Trunk 14 Cottonwood 19 128 30 Moderate Trunk 15 Cottonwood 24 128 60 Moderate Trunk 16 Cottonwood 16 90 0 High 17 Bigleaf maple 10 32 70 Low Trunk 18 Cottonwood 23 128 50 High Trunk 19 Cottonwood 22 120 20 Moderate Trunk 20 Cottonwood 20 125 0 High Tree No. Page of 3 9 Union 670 Condominium HOA DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 ARBORIST REPORT For clarification on trees 14, 15 16, and trees 18,19 and 20, though they are listed as separate trees they can also be interpreted as one tree with three stems therefore, instead of six trees they can also be considered as only two trees by some. For the purposes of this report, consider each stem a separate tree trunk. Tree Risk Assessment - TRAQ Forms Alan Haywood provided the completed TRAQ forms usually requested by the City of Renton prior to permitting. The forms can be found at the end of this report. Timeframe This report is valid for a twelve month period under normal weather conditions. More frequent inspections might be warranted following severe weather conditions. Tree Photographs Photographs were taken of the trees highlighted red from Table 1. They are shown below. 21 Cottonwood 27 128 80 22 Austrian pine 13 50 100 Low 23 Austrian pine 12 40 60 Low 24 Giant sequoia 17 40 70 Low 25 Giant sequoia 33 144 100 Low 26 Redwood 31 130 80 Low 27 Redwood 30 130 80 Low Species DBH (Inches)Height (Feet)Condition (%)Risk RatingTree No. There are an additional 7 trees, 6 inches or greater in dbh at 3 units. Page of 4 9 Union 670 Condominium HOA Moderate DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 ARBORIST REPORT Page of 5 9 Union 670 Condominium HOA Figure 3. Two recent trunk failures to black cottonwood trees. DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 ARBORIST REPORT I Page of 6 9 Union 670 Condominium HOA Figure 4. Trees of greatest concern DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 ARBORIST REPORT Page of 7 9 Union 670 Condominium HOA Figure 5. Stump sprout origin DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 ARBORIST REPORT Page of 8 9 Union 670 Condominium HOA Figure 6. Severe lean toward house DocuSign Envelope ID: 6FCE0D09-1CA2-445C-9462-FD8B683FC5E8 ARBORIST REPORT Conclusions The main concern of the HOA are trees that are severely leaning towards HOA property and adjacent properties. Because all but Tree 6 are of sprout origin, the size of trees, their severe lean, top-heaviness, lopsided root systems, potential root decay associated with a decaying parent-stump and waterlogged soils 3 to 4 months out of the year, they are considered high risk trees. An alternative to complete tree removal would be reducing the heights of trees to a height less than the distance to property. Creating wildlife trees in this manner may reduce tree removal costs in some instances and provides additional wildlife habitat. Some of the information in this report can be duplicated when completing City of Renton permit applications. The information in this report is based upon ground level observations and considers tree conditions under normal weather conditions. Periodic inspections of the forested areas should be considered as site conditions change over time. For further information please contact Terry Flatley, 425-891-2625, tjflyfishing@me.com . 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