HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_VMAC_Shoreline_Tree_Removal_RVMP_20240930_FINALDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_VMAC Shoreline Tree Removal_RVMP_20240930_FINAL
PLANNING DIVISION
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: September 30, 2024
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA24-000262, RVMP
PROJECT NAME: VMAC Shoreline Tree Removal
PROJECT MANAGER: Ashley Wragge, Assistant Planner
APPLICANT/ CONTACT: Sean Vanos
Seattle Seahawks
12 Seahawks Way, Renton, WA 98056
OWNER: Port Quendall Company
12 Seahawks Way, Renton, WA 98056
PROJECT LOCATION: 12 Seahawks Way, Renton, WA 98056 (APNs 2924059015 and 2924059001)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, on behalf of Port Quendall Company, is requesting a Routine Vegetation
Management Permit (RVMP) to remove two (2) trees. Both the trees are black cottonwood (Populus trichocarpa)
trees. The trees are located at 12 Seahawks Way (APNs 2924059015 and 2924059001). The Seahawks Training
Facility is approximately 1,166,407 square feet (26.8 acres) in area and is situated within the Commercial Office
Residential (COR) zone and within the Kennydale Planning Area (Attachments A, B, and E).
An Arborist Report, prepared by Jake Johnson from Big Tree Supply dated August 18, 2024 (Attachment C), was
submitted with the application. According to the arborist, the two (2) proposed black cottonwood trees for
removal range from twenty-nine inches (29") in diameter at breast height (dbh) to thirty-six inches (36") with
heights of approximately 60-75 feet (60-75’). The Arborist Report describes the damage and death of the south
tree and notes similar damage to the north tree that is still alive. The arborist has indicated that the north tree will
likely die due to similar beaver damage girdling the base of the tree (Attachment D). The arborist states that the
trees should be removed to mitigate any potential hazards.
CRITICAL AREA: High Seismic Hazard Areas, Regulated Slopes, Shoreline High Intensity Overlay District,
Lake Washington Reach C
GENERAL REVIEW CRITERIA 4-9-195D.4:
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 Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-4-130.H, compliance
with tree retention requirements necessitates a minimum rate of thirty (30) tree credits
per net acre. This property features a quarter (1/4) mile of restored shoreline along the
Docusign Envelope ID: A4DFF695-F557-4C30-A47A-512922E1C9D5
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit VMAC Shoreline Tree Removal LUA24-000262, RVMP
Permit Date: September 30, 2024 Page 2 of 4
D_VMAC Shoreline Tree Removal_RVMP_20240930_FINAL
regulated shoreline of Lake Washington, in which the parcels with the trees requested for
removal occupy. The 26.8-acre property includes a number of small, medium, or large
species trees that likely meet or exceed the minimum tree credits required for the site.
Along with the removal of the top growth on the two (2) cottonwoods located at the NW
corner of the training fields, the applicant is recommending to increase the tree credits
onsite by planting seven (7) new trees at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. In addition,
the trees would be irrigated through an automated irrigation system. Therefore, staff
recommends as a condition of approval that within six (6) months of permit issuance, the
applicant shall plant a minimum of seven (7) new replacement trees within the project’s
shoreline. The new trees shall consist of the following tree species (or an approved equal):
two (2) western red cedar (thuja plicata), two (2) Douglas fir (pseudotsunga menziesii),
two (2) shore pine (pinus contorta), and one (1) sitka spruce (picea stichensis). The
replacement trees shall be a minimum two-inch (2”) caliper in size or a minimum of six feet
(6’) in height. Once installed, the applicant shall notify the Current Planning Project
Manager to complete a final landscape inspection.
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: Per City of Renton (COR) Maps, the trees proposed for removal are within
a regulated shoreline-Lake Washington Reach C. It is not anticipated that the proposed
removal would have any negative environmental impacts. According to the Arborist
Report, the applicant is proposing to leave a 15- to 20-foot (15-20’) habitat snag from the
trunk of the tree. The remaining tree debris would be distributed along the native area in
the shoreline to create additional wildlife habitat that would be beneficial to wildlife and
Lake Washington water quality. In accordance with the arborist’s recommendation, the
applicant shall leave the two (2) black cottonwood trees to a safe height (approximately
15 to 20 feet tall) and the trees shall be left as an environmental habitat snag as
determined by the Current Planning Project Manager.
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.
Staff Comments: According to RMC 4-4-130.F.2.c.i, a landmark tree may be removed if it
is determined to be high risk. In RMC 4-11-200, a high-risk tree is classified as such if it has
a probable or imminent likelihood of failure. The arborist has stated that the south tree is
dead due to girdling, with bark and cambium layers completely removed around the
circumference of the tree, from clear beaver activity and is now structurally unsound
(Attachments C and F). The arborist notes that similar damage is found on the north tree
that is still alive and is corroborated from site photos of the north tree (Attachments D and
F). The failure of the southern tree and probable failure of the northern tree make them
both high-risk trees and therefore meet the requirements for removal to a habitat snag.
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 black cottonwood trees (Populus trichocarpa) are 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.
Docusign Envelope ID: A4DFF695-F557-4C30-A47A-512922E1C9D5
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit VMAC Shoreline Tree Removal LUA24-000262, RVMP
Permit Date: September 30, 2024 Page 3 of 4
D_VMAC Shoreline Tree Removal_RVMP_20240930_FINAL
Staff Comments: Not Applicable. The black cottonwood trees (Populus trichocarpa) were
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.
N/A 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 two (2) black cottonwood trees are located within the regulated
shoreline along Lake Washington and the neighboring properties are similarly zoned.
Removal of the top growth would not remove any required visual screening or any required
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 removal would contribute
to a hazardous condition and material from the trees would be used to continue fostering
the restored shoreline habitat. As noted above, the submitted documentation shows
beaver activity. Staff is recommending that the applicant plant seven (7) new trees in the
general area of the proposed trees for removal. Beaver protection, cylinder cages made of
sturdy galvanized welded wire fencing with two-inch (2”) mesh opening and at least three
feet (3’) high, would be installed to decrease the known potential hazard related to beaver
activity.
YES 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: The proposal is consistent with requirements of the Shoreline Master
Program and Vegetation Conservation and Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations.
In RMC 4-3-090.F.1.i.iv, it is written that removal of dangerous trees located in a buffer
require a routine vegetation management permit. Through satisfying the Vegetation
Conservation and Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations, as seen in Comments 1-3
above, and applying for a routine vegetation management permit, this criterion is satisfied.
DECISION: The VMAC Shoreline Tree Removal, LUA24-000262, RVMP is Approved with Conditions*.
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
1. As recommended in the Arborist Report, the applicant shall leave the two (2) black cottonwood trees to a
safe height (approximately 15 to 20 feet tall) and the trees shall be left as an environmental habitat snag
as determined by the Current Planning Project Manager.
2. Within six (6) months of permit issuance, the applicant shall plant a minimum of seven (7) new
replacement trees within the project’s shoreline. The new trees shall consist of the following trees (or an
approved equal): two (2) western red cedar (thuja plicata), two (2) Douglas fir (pseudotsunga menziesii),
two (2) shore pine (pinus contorta), and one (1) sitka spruce (picea stichensis). The replacement trees shall
be a minimum two-inch (2”) caliper in size or a minimum of six feet (6’) in height. Once installed, the
applicant shall notify the Current Planning Project Manager to complete a final landscape inspection.
Docusign Envelope ID: A4DFF695-F557-4C30-A47A-512922E1C9D5
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit VMAC Shoreline Tree Removal LUA24-000262, RVMP
Permit Date: September 30, 2024 Page 4 of 4
D_VMAC Shoreline Tree Removal_RVMP_20240930_FINAL
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
________________________________________ ____________________________________
Matthew Herrera, 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 October 14, 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 thirty (30) days in advance of the
expiration of the original permit and shall include a statement of justification for the extension.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Project Site Map
Attachment B: Neighborhood Detail Map
Attachment C: Arborist Report, prepared by Jake Johnson, dated August 18, 2024
Attachment D: Correspondence emails with Arborist, dated September 17, 2024 and September 18, 2024
Attachment E: Site Drawings
Attachment F: Tree Photos
Docusign Envelope ID: A4DFF695-F557-4C30-A47A-512922E1C9D5
9/30/2024 | 8:39 AM PDT