HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_423_Windsor_Way_NE_Tree_Removal_FINALDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
D_423 Windsor Way NE Tree Removal_Final
PLANNING DIVISION
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE OF DECISION: October 14, 2024
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA24-000310, RVMP
PROJECT NAME: 423 Windsor Way NE Tree Removal
PROJECT MANAGER: Ashley Wragge, Assistant Planner
APPLICANT/ CONTACT/
OWNER: Clarence Holmes
423 Windsor Way NE, Renton, WA 98056
PROJECT LOCATION: 423 Windsor Way NE, Renton, WA 98056 (APN 9476200360)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, Clarence Holmes, is requesting a Routine Vegetation Management
Permit (RVMP) to remove one (1) willow tree (Salix sp.) located at 423 Windsor Way NE (APN 9476200360)
within the Residential-8 (R-8) zone and the Highlands Community Planning Area. The subject property is
approximately 6,289 square feet (.14 acres).
An arborist report, prepared by Robert Wild Reed, dated May 24, 2024 (Attachment A) was submitted with the
application. According to the arborist, the willow (Salix sp.) proposed for removal is twenty-six inches (26”) in
diameter at breast height (dbh) and approximately twenty feet (20’) in height. The report describes the poor
health of the tree through observations of decay and fungal bodies present as well as mature English ivy (hedera
helix) girdling and stifling out the tree. The arborist recommends removal of the tree due to the high likelihood
of crown failure within three (3) years and to mitigate the potential for harm to nearby powerlines caused by a
limb failure.
CRITICAL AREA: High Erosion Hazard, Regulated Slopes (>25% & <=40%), High Landslide Hazard
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, compliance with tree credit
requirements necessitates a minimum of 30 tree credits per net acre. The subject property,
which is approximately 6,289 square feet (0.14 acres), is located at 423 Windsor Way NE
(APN 9476200360). Based on the property size, four (4) trees are required to meet the
minimum tree density requirement (30 tree credits/acre × 0.18 acres = 4.2 credits).
The Tree Risk Assessment Form (Attachment A) indicates that one (1) hazardous tree of
landmark size is proposed for removal. Landmark trees are classified as trees with a caliper
Docusign Envelope ID: ADA26837-2A9D-44A8-AEB6-335982FDE638
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit 423 Windsor Way NE Tree Removal LUA24-000310, RVMP
Permit Date: October 14, 2024 Page 2 of 4
D_423 Windsor Way NE Tree Removal_Final
of twenty-four inches (24") or greater, except for big leaf maples, black cottonwoods, and
red alder trees, which qualify as landmark trees with a caliper of thirty inches (30") or
greater. Currently, there are forty-one (41) tree credits on this property and the removal of
this tree would reduce the tree credits by ten (10). The retention of trees two through nine
(2-9) on the property, as identified in the inventory table (Attachment A), maintain a total
of thirty-one (31) tree credits.
The retention of eight (8) trees and thirty-one (31) tree credits will maintain the minimum
tree density for the subject property following the removal of the hazardous tree.
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: According to the City of Renton (COR) maps, the tree proposed for
removal is located within the following designated critical areas:
1. Regulated Slopes (>25% & <=40%)
2. High Landslide Hazard
3. High Erosion Hazard
Per Renton Municipal Code (RMC 4-3-050.G.2.5, Geologically Hazardous Areas Defined),
the slope is a sensitive slope with high landslide and erosion hazards. The removal of the
willow tree (Salix sp.) is consistent with restrictions for critical areas due to the nature of
the work not being development or within a critical area that has higher negative
consequences for vegetation removal. The surrounding area with minimal vegetation show
the existing conditions being safe without trees. Based on the existing conditions and
topography of the site, staff finds that removing the tree would not impact the slope or the
related conditions of potential landslide and erosion hazards. Therefore, the proposed
action is consistent with the critical areas regulations.
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: Per RMC 4-4-130.F.2.c, a landmark tree may be removed if it is
determined to be high risk, or if the tree is causing obvious physical damage to utilities.
Per RMC 4-11-200, a high-risk tree is classified as such if it has a probable or imminent
likelihood of failure. The arborist report states that the willow tree (Salix sp.) has a
probable likelihood of failure given the signs of decay such as fungal bodies and due to the
mature English ivy (hedera helix) hindering the tree’s ability to maintain health. Staff
concurs the tree has a high likelihood of failure.
According to the arborist, the subject tree also has the potential to cause physical damage
to utilities if a limb or trunk failure were to occur. It is below powerlines and the branches
are beginning to interfere with the cables (Attachment A). While this does not currently
pose a threat, if the tree continues to grow, there is a greater threat of the utilities being
damaged.
Staff concurs that the tree should be removed due to criteria i and ii in RMC 4-4-130.F.2.c
being satisfied.
N/A 4. Street frontage and parking lot trees and landscaping shall be preserved unless otherwise
approved by the Administrator.
Docusign Envelope ID: ADA26837-2A9D-44A8-AEB6-335982FDE638
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit 423 Windsor Way NE Tree Removal LUA24-000310, RVMP
Permit Date: October 14, 2024 Page 3 of 4
D_423 Windsor Way NE Tree Removal_Final
Staff Comments: Not applicable. The willow tree (Salix sp.) 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 zoning intensity of all surrounding properties are all single-family
residences and zoned Residential 8 (R-8) so there is no disruption between use 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: The removal of the hazardous tree, as recommended by the arborist,
would not create a hazardous condition. Instead, it would mitigate the risk of tree collapse
and damage to the overhead power lines on the property.
N/A 8. The land clearing and tree removal shall be consistent with the requirement of the
Shoreline Master Program, pursuant to RMC 4-3-090.F.1, 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 423 Windsor Way NE Tree Removal, LUA24-000310, RVMP is Approved.
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 28, 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).
Docusign Envelope ID: ADA26837-2A9D-44A8-AEB6-335982FDE638
10/14/2024 | 8:55 AM PDT
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit 423 Windsor Way NE Tree Removal LUA24-000310, RVMP
Permit Date: October 14, 2024 Page 4 of 4
D_423 Windsor Way NE Tree Removal_Final
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: One (1) year from the date of decision (date signed).
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Arborist Report, prepared by Robert Wild Reed, dated May 24, 2024 and supporting submittal
documents.
Docusign Envelope ID: ADA26837-2A9D-44A8-AEB6-335982FDE638