HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_3420_NE_7th_St_LUA19-000168_190813_v2DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING DIVISION
ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE:
PROJECT NUMBER:
PROJECT NAME:
PROJECT MANAGER:
OWNER:
APPLICANT:
LOCATION:
DESCRIPTION:
August 13, 2019
LUA19-000168, RVMP
3420 NE 7th St
Adriann LaMear, Intern
Van Vo
3420 NE 7th St
Renton, WA 98056
Van Vo
684 Newport CT NE
Renton, WA 98056
3420 NE 7TH ST
The applicant is requesting approval of a Routine Vegetation Management Permit
to order to remove (1) Landmark (thirty caliper inch or greater) Douglas Fir Tree
on the property located on the Northwest corner of Olympia Ave NE and NE 7th
St. The tree measures 32 caliper inches. The lot is zoned Residential-8 (R-8) and
is 26,920 square feet in size. There is an existing single family home on the site
and no critical areas are mapped on the project site. The request to remove
the Douglas Fir comes as a result of previous topping where the tree was reduced
to 55 feet. The tree now has two large co-dominant tops that measure 16 inches in
diameter and 17 inches in diameter and are both 45-55 feet tall. An aerial
inspection was performed 3/18/19 to measure the size of the co-dominant tops
and to inspect for decay at the original topping cut. The stem was tested for decay
by using a sound mallet. There was no visual decay present at the sire of the old
topping cut, but it is possible that there is internal decay in the main stem below
the attachments of the co-dominant tops, based off of the sound of the mallet. The
report states that should the tree fail at the previous topping cut or complete root
failure, the consequences would be severe. The report concludes that the tree
shall be removed since it is located within close proximity to several houses and
the street below.
A Landmark Tree requires a routine vegetation management permit (RVMP)
approval per RMC 4-4-130F.2.d 'Removal Landmark Tree.' Per RMC 4-4-130F.2.d,
removal of a Landmark Tree may be granted for situations where: the tree is
determined to be a dangerous tree; or 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 alternatives to tree removal exists; or
removal of tree(s) to provide solar access to buildings incorporating active solar
devices; or the Administrator determines the removal is necessary to achieve a
specific and articulable purpose or goal of the Title. Dangerous significant trees, as
defined in RMC 4-11-200 Definitions T, that have been certified as such by a City
approved, licensed landscape architect or certified arborist may be removed
without the issuance of a Routine Vegetation Management Permit.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: CF5B8085-01B5-49A8-A485-B698BC763EC6
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
3420 NE 7th St
Routine Vegetation Management
Permit LUA19-000168, RVMP
Staff believes that sufficient evidence has been provided to determine that the tree
is dangerous, justifying its removal.
EXPIRATION DATE: August 13, 2020
GENERAL REVIEW CRITERIA 4-9-195D4:
YES The lot shall comply with minimum tree density requirements pursuant to
RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations.
1.
YES 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.
2.
Comments: No critical areas on site
YES Removal of a landmark tree shall meet the review criteria for removal of a
landmark tree, pursuant to RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land
Clearing Regulations.
3.
Comments: A Landmark Tree requires routine vegetation management permit (RVMP) approval
per RMC 4-4-130F.2.d 'Removal of Landmark Tree.' Per RMC 4-4-130F.2.d, removal of a Landmark
Tree may be granted for situations where; the tree is determined to be a dangerous tree; or 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; or removal
of tree(s) to provide solar access to buildings incorporating active solar devices; or the Administrator
determines the removal is necessary to achieve a specific and articulable purpose or goal of this
Title. The applicant proposes to remove the trees due to advanced decay and hollowing that
compromises the health and stability of the trees, making them dangerous to the surrounding
properties. The tree has been determined to be dangerous in an arborist report written by certified
arborist (PN-1392A) Jason Hayes at The Davey Tree Expert Company.
YES Street frontage and parking lot trees and landscaping shall be preserved,
unless otherwise approved by the Administrator.
4.
YES The land clearing and tree removal shall not remove any landscaping or
protected trees required as part of a land development permit.
5.
YES 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
6.
YES 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.
7.
Comments: The arborist report provided with the application did not evaluate the potential for
blowdown if one of the fir trees was removed from this larger stand of trees. As such, staff
recommends as a condition of approval that the applicant provide the City an updated arborist
report identifying that the removal of this tree would not increase the potential for blowdown
contributing to a hazardous condition.
DECISION: The 3420 NE 7th St Routine Vegetation Management Permit is Approved with Conditions*.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: CF5B8085-01B5-49A8-A485-B698BC763EC6
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development
3420 NE 7th St
Routine Vegetation Management
Permit LUA19-000168, RVMP
*CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL:
The applicant shall provide the City an updated arborist report identifying that the removal of this tree would not
increase the potential for blowdown contributing to a hazardous condition.
SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION:
Date Jennifer Henning
August 13, 2019
Appeals of permit issuance must be filed in writing on or before 5:00 p.m. on September 03, 2019, together with
the required fee with: Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057. Appeals to the
Examiner are governed by RMC 4-8-110 and more information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from
the Renton City Clerkâs Office, 425-430-6510.
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 to 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.
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.
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DocuSign Envelope ID: CF5B8085-01B5-49A8-A485-B698BC763EC6