HomeMy WebLinkAboutD_Reconsideration_Decision_Pilawski_RVMP_201214
December 14, 2020
Craig Pilawski and Emily Sandbo
2010 Aberdeen Pl SE
Renton, WA 98057
SUBJECT: Reconsideration of Condition of Pilawski Routine Vegetation Management Permit
(LUA20-000234, RVMP)
Dear Mr. Pilawski:
We received your timely request for reconsideration with regard to the Pilawski Routine
Vegetation Management Permit (RVMP). In your request, you express concern with the partial
approval of your RVMP due to the trees exposure to w ind and elements. You also note that a
Certified Arborist, hired by you had visited the project site on August 28, 2020 and determined
that five of the eight trees had a high risk rating with multiple houses as potential targets. These
trees were topped decades ago and have grown back with codominant trunks making the trees
weaker and posing a higher risk rating. He noted that two of the trees were healthy, and do not
have codominant trunks. You further indicated that it was your plan to remove these two trees as
the two trees allowed without a permit, as described in the Tree Regulations of the City of Renton.
Staff has reviewed the request and the City’s Arborist has concluded that sufficient information
has not been provided to the City to warrant the removal of more than the 3 trees permitted in
the original RVMP decision. The City’s Arborist does not consider these trees as ‘edge’ trees and
they would not be susceptible to wind throw. The trees on this site in fact have grown and been
established in the prevailing wind conditions. Opening the grouping to better wind movement
would in fact decrease the risk of failure of the surrounding trees. Furthermore, the City Arborist
has found that the trees were in fact not topped but instead the trees maintai n some structural
anomalies like spurs and codominance. In some of the trees on site, these anomalies could be
mitigated with a modicum of maintenance pruning.
Based on the facts noted above, sufficient information to change the original decision has not
been provided to the City for review. Therefore, staff upholds the original RVMP decision.
Craig Pilawski
Page 2 of 2
December 14, 2020
Furthermore, Staff would like to clarify the claims made in the request for reconsideration that
two additional trees may be permitted for removal per the Renton Tr ee Retention Regulations.
Because the applicant is requesting the removal of more than the two trees permitted within a 12
month period under RMC 4-4-130C.9 the proposal is subject to the approval of a Routine
Vegetation Management Permit. Two of the requested trees would qualify as the two trees
permitted for removal and staff approved the removal of one additional tree under the Routine
Vegetation Management Permit for a total of three trees permitted for removal.
Decision: The original Partially Approved with Conditions Pilawski RVMP is upheld.
This decision to uphold the original Pilawski RVMP is subject to a 14-day appeal period. The above
decision will become final if not appealed in writing by 5:00 pm on Monday December 28, 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 gover ned 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.
Sincerely,
Vanessa Dolbee
Planning Director
cc: C.E. “Chip” Vincent, CED Administrator
Paul Hintz, Interm Current Planning Manager
Ian Gray, Urban Forestry and Natural Resources Manager
Jill Ding, Senior Planner
Amanda Aguirre / AA Tree Service