HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Critical_Areas_Exemption_Hopkins Tree MaintenanceDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY
AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING DIVISION
CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION
FROM CRITICAL AREAS REGULATIONS
EVALUATION FORM & DECISION
DATE: September 10, 2020
PROJECT NUMBER: LUA20-000210
PROJECT NAME: Hopkins Tree Maintenance Critical Area Exemption
PROJECT MANAGER: Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner
APPLICANT: Richard Hopkins
2511 Park Pl N
Renton, WA 98056
OWNER: Lin Yao
2416 Park Pl N
Renton, WA 98056
OWNER: Sobrato Development Co.
10600 N Deanza Blvd, #200
Cupertino, CA 95014
OWNER: Gary Palmer
2507 Park Pl N
Renton, WA 98056
PROJECT LOCATION: Parcel Numbers 2296500200 and 2296500140.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting a Critical Areas Exemption to
reduce/trim nine (9) trees located near the Bella Vista Apartments, on parcel numbers
2296500200 and 2296500140. The proposed tree reduction/trim will be located within a
moderate landslide hazard and protected slope. The applicant provided an arborist report
with the project application (Exhibit 1), which was later reviewed by the City's Arborist, Ian
Gray. Following City Arborist inspection and comment, the applicant revised the scope of
work to reflect City recommendation (Exhibit 2). Based on the provided arborist report and
City comment, the applicant proposes to reduce trees numbered B3 & B6 in the Arborist
Report to 20-foot wildlife snags. For Tree number A4, the applicant proposes to reduce the
branch bending out back to the trunk of the tree. The applicant proposes to reduce the
crown and/or thin the canopy for trees numbered A1, A3, B1-2, and B4-5. The purpose of
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption from Critical Areas Regulations
Hopkins Tree Maintenance Critical Area Exemption LUA20-000210
DATE OF PERMIT: September 10, 2020 Page 2 of 3
this tree maintenance is to mitigate any potential risk that the trees pose to nearby
structures.
CRITICAL AREA: Moderate Landslide Hazards and Protected Slopes
EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: Renton Municipal Code, Section 4-3-050C.3.c.iii.
Dangerous Trees: Removal of non-native invasive ground cover or weeds listed by King
County Noxious Weed Board or other government agency or dangerous trees, as defined in
Chapter 4-11 RMC which have been approved by the City and certified dangerous by a
licensed landscape architect, or certified arborist, selection of whom to be approved by the
City based on the type of information required. Limited to cutting of dangerous trees; such
hazardous trees shall be retained as large woody debris in critical areas and/or associated
buffers, where feasible.
FINDINGS: The proposed development is consistent with the following findings pursuant to
RMC section 4-3-050C.2.d:
i. The activity is not prohibited by this or any other provision of the Renton Municipal
Code or State or Federal law or regulation;
ii. The activity will be conducted using best management practices as specified by
industry standards or applicable Federal agencies or scientific principles;
iii. Impacts are minimized and, where applicable, disturbed areas are immediately
restored;
iv. Where water body or buffer disturbance has occurred in accordance with an
exemption during construction or other activities, revegetation with native vegetation
shall be required;
v. If a hazardous material, activity, and/or facility that is exempt pursuant to this
Section has a significant or substantial potential to degrade groundwater quality, then
the Administrator may require compliance with the Wellhead Protection Area
requirements of this Section otherwise relevant to that hazardous material, activity,
and/or facility. Such determinations will be based upon site and/or chemical-specific
data.
DECISION: An exemption from the critical areas regulations is Approved.
DATE OF DECISION ON LAND USE ACTION:
SIGNATURE:
________________________________________________________ ________________
Vanessa Dolbee, Planning Director Date
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
9/10/2020 | 8:11 AM PDT
City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption from Critical Areas Regulations
Hopkins Tree Maintenance Critical Area Exemption LUA20-000210
DATE OF PERMIT: September 10, 2020 Page 3 of 3
The administrative land use decision will become final if the decision is not appealed within 14
days of the decision date.
APPEALS: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to
the Hearing Examiner on or before 5:00 PM on September 24, 2020. An appeal of the
decision must be filed within the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-
680), together with the required fee to the Hearing Examiner, City of Renton, 1055 South
Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057. RMC 4-8-110.B governs appeals to the Hearing Examiner and
additional information regarding the appeal process may be obtained from the City Clerk’s
Office, (425) 430-6510. Due to Governor Jay Inslee’s Proclamation 20-25 (“Stay Home, Stay
Healthy”), the City Clerk’s Office is working remotely. For that reason, appeals must be
submitted electronically to the City Clerk at cityclerk@rentonwa.gov. The appeal fee,
normally due at the time an appeal is submitted, will be collected at a future date. 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. If
the situation changes such that the City Clerk’s Office is open when you file your appeal, you
have the option of filing the appeal in person.
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: Five (5) years from the date of decision (date signed).
Attachments: Arborist Report and City Correspondence/Scope of Work
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
H Brian Erickson
ISA Cert. Arborist PN-6223A
Tree Risk Assessment Qualified
PO Box 3492
Redmond, WA 98073
Customer:
Richard Hopkins and Neighbors
2511 Park Place N
Renton, WA 98056
Introduction:
This neighborhood group has concerns about the indicated volunteer cottonwood and maples
on their property. Their concerns stem from the height of the trees, their age, and that they lean
towards areas frequented by people. They are applying for a permit to remove them with intent
to reduce the risk of damage to property and people should these trees fail. They believe these
trees are adjacent to, or just within, boundaries of sloped areas, as determined using published
maps by the city of Renton.
There is also concern about financial liability should the trees fall and contact the Belle Vista
Apartment building or cars in the apartment’s parking lot. The customer reported that one
cottonwood fell into the parking lot area of Belle Vista apartments in late 2018 or early 2019,
requiring a chain saw for removal.
They is also concern about trees adjacent to The Friends of Youth sports field. Because these
trees lean towards this field, they believe their failure would most likely fall across the facility’s
sports track and into the sports field itself. Besides being a risk to the students, there is also risk
of falling trees damaging sports equipment (e.g. soccer nets, etc.).
Site location:
A: West property line
2415 Park Pl N
Renton, WA 98056
B: Southwest property line
2416 Park Pl N
Renton, WA 98056
C: Southeast property line
Friends of Youth
2500 Lake Washington Blvd. N
Renton, WA 98056
Figures 1 and 2 show the locations of the trees evaluated in this report. A unique identifier is
assigned to each tree. This identifier is used in supporting photographs and in the evaluation
details for each tree.
Species:
AREA A: 2 cottonwoods and 1 maple - attached are photos and TRAQ reports, showing
photographic growth west towards the parking, pedestrians and Apartments. See
Figures 8, 9, and 10.
AREA B: 6 cottonwoods - attached are photos and TRAQ reports, showing
photographic growth west towards the parking, pedestrians and Apartments. See
Figures 3 - 7.
AREA C: 3 cottonwoods and 1 maple - attached are photos and TRAQ reports, showing
photographic growth toward and over play field, track and youth activity area. See
Figures 11 and 12.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
Impact to Remaining Trees not Removed:
The remaining trees are healthy at the time of inspection or are far enough away to not create
risk.
Arborist Notes:
My findings show that there are multiple failures in the area where trees have uprooted, root
failure, and low trunk breaks (possible low trunk rot, or wind shear).
The trees are all growing toward pedestrian traffic, vehicle parking, and buildings (targets).
I agree with property owners that the trees in questions should be removed or highly reduced to
create a healthy buffer between green areas and targets. This is the only way I see to mitigate
future harm or damage.
H Brian Erickson
briane@evergreentlc.com
(206)-713-1576
Certified Arborist PN-6223A
TRACE Certified CTRA-1706
Limiting Conditions:
Unless expressed otherwise: information contained in this report covers only those items that were examined and
reflects the conditions of those items at the time of inspection; and the inspection is limited to a visual examination of
the items without dissection, excavation, probing or coring. There is not a warranty guarantee, expressed or implied,
that problems or deficiencies of the plants or property in question may not arise in the future.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
From: Angelea Weihs
Sent: Thursday, September 03, 2020 1:15 PM
To: 'Rich & Susan Hopkins'; 'Marcie Palmer'; Vanessa Dolbee; Randy
Corman
Cc: 'Gary Palmer'; 'Lin'
Subject: RE: Revised Arborist report
Hello Rich Hopkins,
Vanessa is currently out of the office and will be returning mid next week. I will work to provide a
decision based on the revised scope of work as noted below. Once Vanessa returns, she will be able to
review the decision and it can be issued.
Thank you,
Angelea Weihs
Associate Planner, City of Renton
1055 S. Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 430-7312
From: Rich & Susan Hopkins <h4hopkins@comcast.net>
Sent: Wednesday, September 2, 2020 10:28 PM
To: 'Marcie Palmer' <pkplmarcie@gmail.com>; Vanessa Dolbee <VDolbee@Rentonwa.gov>; Randy
Corman <Rcorman@Rentonwa.gov>
Cc: Angelea Weihs <AWeihs@Rentonwa.gov>; 'Gary Palmer' <gary.palmer07@gmail.com>; 'Lin'
<linxinus@yahoo.com>
Subject: RE: Revised Arborist report
Vanessa,
I met with the contractor doing the tree work for our group, reviewed your recommendations below
with them, and obtained a revised contract based on these recommendations. Please proceed with
issuing the permit that includes your recommendations below.
Having not been through any permitting processes before, please advise me as to what happens next,
and a typical schedule. Will you email me a permit document? Is any additional action required on my
part? This information will help me reserve a time window for the actual work to be completed.
…Rich Hopkins
From: Marcie Palmer [mailto:pkplmarcie@gmail.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 19, 2020 12:02 AM
To: Vanessa Dolbee; Randy Corman
Cc: h4hopkins@comcast.net; Angelea Weihs; Gary Palmer; Lin
Subject: Re: Revised Arborist report
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
Hi Vanessa,
Thank you for the update & all your hard work & time put into our permit request. We Park
Place neighbors are encouraged to read your email. I will leave it to our Lead Rich Hopkins,
with our approval, to move forward as you suggested.
Best regards,
Marcie P
425-306-0918
On Tue, Aug 18, 2020 at 11:58 AM Vanessa Dolbee <VDolbee@rentonwa.gov> wrote:
Rich and Marcie,
I have reached out to Ian Gray the City’s Urban Forester, he has been out to the site and looked at all
the trees and has reviewed the Arborist report provided to the City. Based on his review of the report
and a subsequent site visit the City is recommending the following:
1. The trees in location ‘C’ are in an undeveloped right-of-way owned by the city and the risk there
does not rise to a level where urgent action is needed. These will be monitored and dealt with at a later
date. Please note, these are City trees therefore they would not be your responsibility to maintain.
2. The trees located on your property (not in the City ROW) Ian has provided the following
recommendations:
a. B3 & B6 should be reduced to 20’ft wildlife snags
b. A4 reduce branch bending out back to trunk
c. A1 & A3 reduce crown and/or thin
d. B1-2 & B4-5 reduce crown and/or thin
These actions would allow for a balance the risks associated with trees and ensure the tree roots
systems are retained in place to ensure slope stability along the protected slope. As we discussed, one
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
of the challenges with this site is balancing the needs of slope stability (which trees provide) with the
risk of tree fall and tree removal.
If the above actions are acceptable to you, we would be happy to issue you a permit to complete these
action in short order. Thank you for letting us know.
Take care,
Vanessa Dolbee
Current Planning Manager
City of Renton | 425-430-7314
1055 South Grady Way
Renton WA, 98057
COVID-19 UPDATE
City Hall is currently closed to the public but we are still available to assist you.
· Pay Invoice and Apply for Over-the-Counter Permit: Permitting Portal
· Schedule an Inspection: Permitting Portal -OR- Building: 425-430-7202; Civil/Site: 425-430-7203
· Contact Staff:
o Building or General Permitting: permittech@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7200
o Planning: planningcustomerservice@rentonwa.gov or 425-430-7294
o Public Works Permitting: pwpermitting@rentonwa.gov or 206-402-8626
o Code Compliance: Renton Responds or 425-430-7373.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
From: Vanessa Dolbee <VDolbee@Rentonwa.gov>
Sent: Monday, August 17, 2020 3:12 PM
To: Ian Gray <IGray@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: FW: FW: Revised Arborist report
Ian,
Please see the e-mail chain below. I left you a voice mail regarding this. I have talked with Marcie and
would like to bounce a few solutions past you.
Thank you,
Vanessa Dolbee
Cell: 425-282-9380
From: Judith Subia <JSubia@Rentonwa.gov>
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2020 10:40 AM
To: Jennifer T. Henning <Jhenning@Rentonwa.gov>; Vanessa Dolbee <VDolbee@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: FW: FW: Revised Arborist report
FYI …
From: Marcie Palmer <pkplmarcie@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 9, 2020 8:02 PM
To: Randy Corman <Rcorman@Rentonwa.gov>; Susan & Rich Hopkins <h4hopkins@comcast.net>; Gary
Palmer <gary.palmer07@gmail.com>; Chip Vincent <CVincent@Rentonwa.gov>; Lin
<linxinus@yahoo.com>
Subject: Fwd: FW: Revised Arborist report
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
Hi Randy,
We along with our neighbors are concerned about some very tall (some over 80 ft. high)
cottonwoods leaning towards the Bella Vista Apts. and the Griffin Home track & field
below our homes in our "greenbelt". We have applied for a City permit to remove these trees
as a precaution to not be liable should they fall onto the apartment complex property &
Griffen Home---on cars, kids play area, etc. We received a response that our permit will likely
be denied. In the past, the City Arborist, Terry Flahtley, did a site visit to assess the current
situation. He then approved most of those trees we had concerns about. This denial of trees
previously sighted by us as dangerous years ago is without a site visit, and demands we pay for
a City appointed outside arborist for a 2nd opinion.
If the City will not allow removal of these dangerous trees---at our expense--- then the City
is liable should they fall & cause damage.
In my opinion, the Permit Staff needs to be much more realistic and less confrontational with
Renton residents.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Marcie Palmer
425-306-0918
---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: Rich & Susan Hopkins <h4hopkins@comcast.net>
Date: Sun, Jul 26, 2020 at 9:15 PM
Subject: FW: Revised Arborist report
To: Marcie Palmer <PkPlMarcie@comcast.net>
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
Gary & Marcie,
Here is an update on the status of cutting down the cottonwood trees along the Belle Vista
Apartments property line (and Griffin Home property line). It looks like very bad news. Please
review all the content below, and the attachments. I would then like to meet with you (at a
social distance) to discuss what steps to take next. I am hoping that Marci’s knowledge of the
workings of city hall and their existing processes can get us back on track. Maybe a meeting
with them?
I received the email below on Thursday on the status of the tree cutting permit I submitted to
the City of Renton. It appears they will reject my permit request on the basis the cottonwood
trees we want to remove are not hazardous enough to need cutting down. I find this amazing.
Attached to this email is the arborist report that was submitted with the permit. It is divided into
2 files.
ArborRpt1R.PDF - Report cover page, introduction, summary, location map with each
tree uniquely identified, and photos of each tree.
ArborRpt2R.PDF - Report details on the health of each tree.
Upon receiving Angelea’s email, I did some additional research based on her comments. My
findings are:
1. After looking at additional property boundary maps, it does appear that the trees in Group C
(next to Griffin Boys Home) are on the zoned Pelli Street land, owned by the city. Although I
can’t be sure, it looks like the outside east edge of the running track at the Griffin Home is the
approximate boundary line – that the track goes right up to the edge of the street.
I initially wanted to cut these cottonwoods down to improve our view. After viewing these
trees from the Griffin Home property, I also realized they imposed a hazard to them. Two of
the trees have already had their tops broken off, and have since grown split tops, which make
them even more dangerous – per the arborist.
Since it appears I can’t request a permit to cut these trees down, is there a process by which the
Griffin Home can request the city to remove these trees and the hazard they pose? Last year,
the city hired a contractor to cut down about 10 cottonwoods on N 26th street (a half block N of
us) because they could fall across the street and hit the new homes there (or fall the other way
onto the Mao’s house).
2. In reviewing the arborist report, I noticed that (1) the probability of failure was rated only
as “Possible” for all trees, and (2) the fall distance for some was only “50 feet”. I think some of
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
these trees are closer to 80’ tall than 50’. And (3), the report doesn’t appear to include the
consequences should a tree failure occur. Specifically, that many of the trees are already
leaning downhill, and if they fell (even at 60’ tall) they would contact cars and/or buildings. In
other words, the report’s contents are not helpful in describing the risks. I am contacting
Evergreen Tree Care to discuss these issues with them and see about getting a revised arborist
report. Otherwise, it looks like they will lose our business.
3. Many of the trees Gary is focused on removing appear to be in the yellow zone, not red, on
the slopes map. See attachment. I assumed these need a tree cutting permit, but maybe they
don’t. Is there a process we can pursue to determine if a permit, or a relaxed permit process, is
available for these trees?
4. The permit determination appears to be based solely on the arborist report. I don’t see that
paying some other arborist to read it would yield a different answer based on its current
content. Last time we removed cottonwood trees in 2013, which were adjacent to a couple of
these (those in Group A), Gary and I met Terry Flately at the site and he was able to make a
determination from visual observations. Is there some process we can initiate to get the new
City of Renton arborist out to the sites and get him to do a visual?
A brief history of this project:
July 17, 2019 I met with Ian Gray, Urban Forestry & Natural Resources
Manager for City of Renton, and showed him photos of the cottonwood trees I
wanted to get a permit to remove. He identified the forms I would need to
complete. After looking at my aerial mapping photos, he advised me that the
trees “appear to be in a ‘red’ critical slope zone.” He also alerted me that the
“CED can help establish that. If they need me to weigh in on the issue and
inspect the trees as part of an active permit application process they will need to
be the ones to request that.” CED is the Community & Economic Development
Department. When we met and Ian looked at my photos, his comment to me was
that it didn’t look like getting a permit would be a problem.
April 15, 2020 I submitted a tree cutting permit form, and accompanying
Master Application forms signed by property owners, and an arborist report
prepared by Evergreen Tree Care.
May 2, 2020 I received an email from Angelea Wells, Associate Planner for
City of Renton, saying the arborist report had deficiencies. Mainly, the location
of each tree was not uniquely identified on the aerial photos. She also provided a
sample of an arborist report that was much, much simpler and shorter in content
than the one prepared by the Evergreen Tree Care’s arborist.
May 13, 2020 I contacted Thor Adkinson at Evergreen Tree Care and
initiated work to get a revised arborist report.
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
June 10, 2020 I submitted a revised arborist report to planning department
correcting the deficiencies.
July 23, 2020 I received the email below from Angelea Wells.
July 23, 2020 I forwarded the email below to Thor Adkinson at Evergreen
Tree Care asking that we meet.
July 24, 2020 I did an email reply to Angelea Wells I would get back to her
late this coming week or so.
I look forward to your help on this.
…Rich Hopkins
425-226-9289
From: Angelea Weihs [mailto:AWeihs@Rentonwa.gov]
Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2020 9:55 AM
To: 'Rich & Susan Hopkins'
Subject: RE: Revised Arborist report
Hello Richard,
I wanted to provide you some options before I issued a decision just in case you are unhappy
with the outcome. As I have previously stated, trees within critical areas are only permitted for
removal if the trees have been determined to be dangerous, and there is no alternative to tree
removal. Our city arborist reviewed your arborist report and provided the following comments:
· Group C trees appear to be on City unimproved public ROW, not on private property. As
such, these trees belong to the City and would not be permitted for removal.
· Regarding the other trees, the risk ratings come back as low and moderate which are low
hazard in the scheme of things and does not necessitate urgency
· The only trees which might be worth reducing (as an alternative to removing) by the
applicant to 20’ foot wildlife snags would be B3 & B6, but considering the issue with
property lines, a revised site plan would be necessary to prove that the correct property
owner has signed the master application form for permission. The site plan should
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
indicate to location of trees B3 and B6 in reference to the property lines and label the
parcel number so the property owner can be verified.
As an alternative, you can request secondary review, in which case an arborist will be picked by
the City, at your cost, to provide a determination regarding the arborist report you have
provided. However, based on what I have seen in the report, secondary review may not give you
the answer you are hoping for, as the trees are still required to be determined dangerous by an
arborist, with no alternative to tree removal, as state in City code.
Let me know if you have any additional questions,
Angelea Weihs
Associate Planner, City of Renton
1055 S. Grady Way
Renton, WA 98057
(425) 430-7312
From: Rich & Susan Hopkins <h4hopkins@comcast.net>
Sent: Monday, July 13, 2020 11:40 AM
To: Angelea Weihs <AWeihs@Rentonwa.gov>
Subject: FW: Revised Arborist report
Angela,
Please provide me an update on the status of my request for a tree cutting permit. Knowing that
you are working from home, I would appreciate knowing that you received my email with the
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
revised arborist report that was requested, and were successful in being able to open it. If there
were any problems, I want to correct them as quickly as possible.
If you have any questions, please email me at once. I look forward to your reply.
Richard Hopkins
From: Rich & Susan Hopkins [mailto:h4hopkins@comcast.net]
Sent: Friday, June 26, 2020 10:59 AM
To: 'Angelea Weihs'
Subject: Revised Arborist report
Angela,
On June 10, I sent you an email containing the revised arborist report you said was needed to
process my request for a tree cutting permit. When we last communicated, you were working
from home. This email contained large files as attachments, which can sometimes get blocked
for residential customers. Please send me an email to verify that you received my email
successfully.
If you did receive it, I would also appreciate an update on where my permit request is in the
process, and any estimates of what I might expect my next communication for the City of
Renton.
Again, thank you for your help on this matter.
Richard Hopkins
425-226-9289 (home)
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A
425-591-5711 (cell)
DocuSign Envelope ID: F49D37F3-B3FA-41E5-8CB4-33C0945D986A