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Home My WebLink AboutD_RVMP Decision_The Aviator Apartments Tree RemovalDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT D_RVMP Decision_The Aviator Apartments Tree Removal PLANNING DIVISION ROUTINE VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PERMIT EVALUATION FORM & DECISION DATE OF DECISION: November 23, 2020 PROJECT NUMBER: LUA20-000275, RVMP PROJECT NAME: The Aviator Apartments Dangerous Tree Removal PROJECT MANAGER: Angelea Weihs, Associate Planner APPLICANT/CONTACT: Izzy Nosan, A Plus Tree, Inc., 3490 Buskirk Ave, Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 OWNER: GRE Sunset Vista LLC, 10408 SE 174th St, Renton, WA 98055 PROJECT LOCATION: 10408 SE 174th St, Renton, WA 98055 PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant is requesting approval of a Routine Vegetation Management Permit (RVMP) to allow for the removal of one "landmark" (thirty caliper inches or greater) red maple tree located at 10408 SE 174th St (APN 2923059134). The property, The Aviator Apartments, is approximately 192,700 square feet (4.4 acres) in size (Attachment A). The property is located within the Commercial Arterial (CA) zone and the Urban Design District D overlay. The applicant is proposing to remove one (1) red maple tree with a caliper size of 32 caliper inches. However, another tree is located next to the tree proposed for removal. In order preserve the nearby tree and prevent damage caused by disturbance of the root structure, staff recommends as a condition of approval that the applicant only remove the one (1) proposed red maple landmark tree along Mill Ave S (SE 174th St). The stump of the red maple tree proposed for removal shall be ground to just below grade to provide adequate space for a three-inch (3’) layer of bark mulch. The tree roots shall remain in place. In addition, no other trees are permitted to be removed as part of this RVMP decision. Pursuant to Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-11-200, Definition of Tree, a tree 30 caliper inches or greater is considered a landmark tree. A landmark tree requires RVMP approval per RMC 4-4-130.F.2.d, Removal of Landmark Tree. Per RMC 4-4-130.F.2.d, removal of a landmark tree may be granted if the tree is determined to be a dangerous tree. The applicant proposes to remove the dangerous tree due to potential hazards the tree may pose to property and life safety. The tree is located west of the western entrance to The Aviator Apartments community, overhanging Mill Ave S (SE 174th St). According to the Arborist Report (Attachment B), the tree has active vertical cracking between two large-diameter leaders. The report further states that the tree has outgrown its usefulness, and given its species characteristics, it is of an over-mature condition and has become a liability to public safety. Mill Ave S (SE 174th St) and a street parking area are directly beneath the drip line of the tree. DocuSign Envelope ID: B2938602-0B01-4F38-A82E-6BC48B074B2D City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit The Aviator Apartments Dangerous Tree Removal LUA20-000275, RVMP Date of Permit: November 23, 2020 Page 2 of 3 D_RVMP Decision_The Aviator Apartments Tree Removal The City's Urban Forestry and Natural Resource Manager, Ian Gray, evaluated the Arborist report and concurs with the assessment for the removal of the hazardous tree. Unclassified coalmine hazards are mapped in the vicinity of the tree location. Sensitive slopes are mapped on the northeast corner of the project site, more than 60 feet from the tree location. CRITICAL AREA: Sensitive Slopes (15-40%), Unclassified Coal Mine Hazard EXPIRATION DATE: November 23, 2021 GENERAL REVIEW CRITERIA 4-9-195.D.4: YES 1. The lot shall comply with minimum tree density requirements pursuant to RMC 4-4-130, Tree Retention and Land Clearing Regulations. Comments: Numerous mature trees are located on the project site and are proposed to be retained. The applicant is proposing to remove only one dangerous landmark tree for the purposes of public safety. 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. Comments: No trees are located on the regulated slopes present on the site. 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. Comments: Removal of a landmark tree is permitted in cases where the tree is determined to be a dangerous tree. The applicant proposes to remove the tree due to potential hazards the tree may pose to property and life safety. An arborist report (Attachment B) was submitted with the request that identifies the tree as hazardous. YES 4. Street frontage and parking lot trees and landscaping shall be preserved, unless otherwise approved by the Administrator. Comments: Not applicable. The tree proposed for removal is not part of the street frontage. YES 5. The land clearing and tree removal shall not remove any landscaping or protected trees required as part of a land development permit. Comments: Not applicable. The original development was constructed 1967 and no permits are on file with the City. 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. Comments: Not applicable. The proposed dangerous tree removal does not remove any existing visual screening or buffering between different land uses. 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. DocuSign Envelope ID: B2938602-0B01-4F38-A82E-6BC48B074B2D City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Routine Vegetation Management Permit The Aviator Apartments Dangerous Tree Removal LUA20-000275, RVMP Date of Permit: November 23, 2020 Page 3 of 3 D_RVMP Decision_The Aviator Apartments Tree Removal Comments: The RVMP is being requested due to safety concerns regarding the hazardous condition of the landmark tree. The Urban Forestry and Natural Resources Manager confirmed that removal of the hazardous tree would alleviate this hazardous condition (Attachment C). DECISION: The Aviator Apartments Dangerous Tree Removal Routine Vegetation Management Permit is Approved with Conditions* and subject to the following conditions: *CONDITIONS OF APPROVAL: 1. The applicant shall only remove the one (1) proposed red maple landmark tree along Mill Ave S (SE 174th St). The stump of the red maple tree proposed for removal shall be ground to just below grade to provide adequate space for a three-inch (3’) layer of bark mulch. The tree roots shall remain in place. The mulch shall be installed and the applicant shall notify the Current Planning Project Manager for an inspection following tree removal and mulch installation. 2. No other trees are permitted to be removed as part of this RVMP decision. SIGNATURE & DATE OF DECISION: ________________________________________ ____________________________________ Vanessa Dolbee, 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 December 7, 2020. 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. 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: A) Site Plan, B) Arborist Report and C) Correspondence from the City's Urban Forestry and Natural Resource Manager, Ian Gray DocuSign Envelope ID: B2938602-0B01-4F38-A82E-6BC48B074B2D 11/23/2020 | 10:01 AM PST DocuSign Envelope ID: B2938602-0B01-4F38-A82E-6BC48B074B2D 1 Arborist Recommendation Report Izzy Nosan - ISA Certiﬁed Arborist WE-11653A Created for: - Aviator Apartments - 10408 SE 174th St, Renton,WA 98055 Friday, September 4th, 2020 Discussion of Findings This report was created with regards to Aviator Apartments in Renton, WA. The report discusses 1 tree, its present condition, and recommended tree mitigation action. Photos are included. 1.32” DBH red maple - Acer rubric - A Plus Tree ID#: 1000857165 -This tree has active vertical cracking between two large-diameter leaders. The tree has outgrown its usefulness, and given its species characteristics, it is of an overmature condition and has become a liability to public safety. Mill Ave S and a street parking area are directly beneath the drip line of the tree. The tree is located west of the western entrance to the Aviator Apartments community, overhanging Mill Ave S. -If retained, the tree is expected to suffer a large-scale splitting failure between the 2 leaders in a heavy loading event or under normal circumstances. If any of the tree parts were to fail and contact a car or pedestrian, severe consequences would be expected. -This tree is being recommended for removal as soon as possible in order to minimize residual risk. A Traffic Control Plan and Traffic Control Service will need to be utilized for safe and efficient removal of this tree. Photos on following page. Please see Site Plan on last page of report. DocuSign Envelope ID: B2938602-0B01-4F38-A82E-6BC48B074B2D 2 Photo 1: Red maple overhanging Mill Ave. S and street-parking area. DocuSign Envelope ID: B2938602-0B01-4F38-A82E-6BC48B074B2D 3 Photo 2: Vertical cracking between 2 large-diameter leaders. DocuSign Envelope ID: B2938602-0B01-4F38-A82E-6BC48B074B2D 4 Photo 3: Vertical cracking between 2 large-diameter leaders. DocuSign Envelope ID: B2938602-0B01-4F38-A82E-6BC48B074B2D 5 Aviator Apartments Site Plan DocuSign Envelope ID: B2938602-0B01-4F38-A82E-6BC48B074B2D From: Ian Gray Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2020 10:41 AM To: Angelea Weihs Subject: RE: Dangerous Tree Arborist Report I concur. Thanks for looping me in! Best, Ian Gray Urban Forestry & Natural Resources Manager Phone: 425-430-6601 Email: IGray@RentonWA.gov From: Angelea Weihs <AWeihs@Rentonwa.gov> Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2020 10:26 AM To: Ian Gray <IGray@Rentonwa.gov> Subject: Dangerous Tree Arborist Report Hello Ian, I have another dangerous tree removal located at the Aviator apartments. The arborist report is attached. I’m planning on approving the RVMP, but I wanted to make sure you had a chance to take a peek at the arborist report just in case you did not concur with the analysis. Thanks, Angelea Weihs Associate Planner, City of Renton 1055 S. Grady Way Renton, WA 98057 (425) 430-7312 DocuSign Envelope ID: B2938602-0B01-4F38-A82E-6BC48B074B2D