The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutD_CAE_Benson Downs Tree Removal_210610_v2_FINALDEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT D_CAE_Benson Downs Tree Removal_210610_v2_FINAL PLANNING DIVISION CERTIFICATE OF EXEMPTION FROM CRITICAL AREAS REGULATIONS EVALUATION FORM & DECISION DATE OF DECISION: June 10, 2021 PROJECT NUMBER: LUA21-000215, CAE PROJECT NAME: Benson Downs Tree Removal PROJECT MANAGER: Alex Morganroth, Senior Planner OWNER: SHLP Benson Downs LLC 7601 E Technology Way, Suite 600, Denver CO 80237 CONTACT: Amanda Pole, A Plus Tree, Inc 985 Walnut Ave, Vallejo, CA 94592 PROJECT LOCATION: 11100 SE Petrovitsky Rd PROJECT DESCRIPTION: The applicant, A Plus Tree, Inc, is requesting approval of a Critical Areas Exemption to remove three (3) significant trees at the Benson Downs multifamily complex. The property is located at 11000 SE Petrovitsky Road (APN 2923059015) and is approximately 25 acres in size. The parcel is zoned Residential -14 (R-14) du/ac. The applicant is proposing to remove three (3) trees in various locations across the site (Attachment A). The trees proposed for removal include an 11-inch DBH Red alder, a 14-inch DBH Red alder, and a 13.5-inch DBH Red maple. The two Red alder trees are located on the west side of the site near the boundary of an uncategorized wetlands and the single Red maple tree is located on the east side of the site near the boundary of a separate uncategorized wetlands. The applicant submitted an Arborist Report with associated tree risk assessment recommending removal of all three (3) trees (Attachment B). According to the report, the 11- inch DBH Red alder and 13.5-inch DBH Red maple are completely dead and the 14-inch DBH Red alder contains a dead co-dominant leader. The report concludes that the condition of the trees represents a danger to the adjacent apartment buildings due to their proximity to the trees. Staff concurs that all three (3) trees meet the definition of a ‘dangerous tree’ per RMC 4-11-200 and therefore removal is appropriate. Due to the close proximity to structures on the site, the report recommends removal of both the 11-inch DBH Red alder and 13.5- inch DBH Red maple down to the stump. For the 14-inch DBH Red alder, the report recommends removing only a portion of the tree to create a wildlife snag and retaining the alive leader. In addition, the report recommends that all debris from the tree removals be deposited in wetlands area near the site of the trees. Other critical areas on the site include sensitive slopes and a moderate coal mine hazard. CRITICAL AREA: Uncategorized Wetlands, Sensitive Slopes, Moderate Coal Mine Hazard EXEMPTION JUSTIFICATION: Pursuant to Renton Municipal Code (RMC) 4-3-050C.3.c.iii, Renton Municipal Code, Section 4-3-050C.3.c.iii. Dangerous Trees: Removal of non-native invasive ground cover or weeds listed by King DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations Benson Downs Tree Removal LUA21-000215, CAE Permit Date: June 10, 2021 Page 2 of 3 D_CAE_Benson Downs Tree Removal_210610_v2_FINAL 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. The applicant states that all three (3) trees present a danger to the adjacent structures due to their poor health. The applicant intends to deposit all debris associated with the removal into the adjacent wetlands area. 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 hereby Approved with Conditions*. 1. As recommended in the Arborist Report prepared by the applicant (Exhibit 2), a wildlife snag shall be created during removal of the 14-inch DBH Red alder. 2. As recommended in the Arborist Report prepared by the applicant (Exhibit 2), debris from the removal of all three (3) trees shall be deposited in the adjacent wetlands area. 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 to the original decision is found or if he finds there was misrepresentation of fact. After review of the DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 6/10/2021 | 2:08 PM PDT City of Renton Department of Community & Economic Development Certificate of Exemption From Critical Areas Regulations Benson Downs Tree Removal LUA21-000215, CAE Permit Date: June 10, 2021 Page 3 of 3 D_CAE_Benson Downs Tree Removal_210610_v2_FINAL 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: This administrative land use decision will become final if not appealed in writing to the Hearing Examiner on or before 5:00 PM on June 24, 2021. An appeal of the decision must be filed within the 14-day appeal period (RCW 43.21.C.075(3); WAC 197-11-680).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 mus t 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: Five (5) years from the date of decision (date signed). Attachments: Site Plan, Arborist Report DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 Attachment A DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 ARBORIST REPORT for - Benson Downs - Simpson Property Group Parcel: 2923059015 11100 SE Petrovitsky Rd, Renton,WA 98055 Thursday, May 14th, 2021 (Site-plan on last page of report) By Izzy Nosan | ISA Certiﬁed Arborist WE-11653A | izzy@aplustree.com 3490 Buskirk Ave., Pleasant Hill, CA 94523 | (206) 550-6679 | www.aplustree.com Exhibit 2 DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 Background Information A Plus Tree, Inc. was contacted by Benson Downs apartments requesting a tree risk assessment of all trees on site. The assessment was regarding the present conditions, tree integrity, and future expectations of the trees. The trees were assessed with speciﬁc focus on the trees’ potential risk to the property, residents, and visitors. The trees included on this report were viewed as being high risk, given nearby targets and occupancy rates, and have been recommended for removal or wildlife snag reduction. The recommended removal and wildlife reduction are within close proximity to critical targets such as apartment homes and parking areas. Assignment (and any limiting factors) A Plus was requested to assess the trees at Benson Downs apartments and provide a report regarding recommendations for safety concerns and potential impact to the property, and to distinguish which, if any, trees posed a risk. Benson Downs management intends to reduce the risk of any tree failures and/ or structural damage on site by acquiring arborist services for mitigation of high risk trees. This report discuses the assessment of each individual high risk tree encountered on site and being recommended for removal. If the City of Renton ultimately requires replacement trees to be planted, Benson Downs management intends to replant according to tree replacement regulations. The only limiting factors encountered was an immense amount of blackberry brambles obscuring the bases of trees. Report continues on following page DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 Observations 1)1 11” DBH red alder (Alnus rubra) •A Plus Tree ID# 1000859476 a.This tree is dead. b.The tree is at a signiﬁcant lean toward the adjacent apartment homes. c.The tree is on the edge of a wetland. d.The adjacent apartment home is within the drip line of the tree. e.If retained, the tree is expected to either suffer whole-tree failure, trunk failure, and/or other individual tree part failures in a heavy loading event or under normal circumstances. Large- diameter tree pieces are found within the canopy. If any of these tree parts were to fail and contact the adjacent apartment home, mild to signiﬁcant consequences would be expected. f.This tree is being recommended for removal in order to minimize residual risk. The debris should be deposited in the greenbelt area in order to replicate the natural decomposition processes of the ambient environment 2)1 14” DBH red alder (Alnus rubra) •A Plus Tree ID# 1000168207 a.This tree is codominant with 1 completely dead leader. b.The tree is at a signiﬁcant lean toward the adjacent apartment homes. c.The tree is on the edge of a wetland. d.The adjacent apartment home is within the drip line of the tree. e.If retained, the codominant leader of the tree is expected to either suffer trunk failure, and/or other individual tree part failures in a heavy loading event or under normal circumstances. Large-diameter tree pieces are found within the canopy. If any of these tree parts were to fail and contact the adjacent apartment home, mild to signiﬁcant consequences would be expected. f.This tree is being recommended for wildlife snag reduction in order to minimize residual risk. The debris should be deposited in the greenbelt area in order to replicate the natural decomposition processes of the ambient environment 3)1 13.5” DBH red maple (Acer rubrum) •A Plus Tree ID# 1000168715 a.This tree is dead. b.The adjacent apartment home and a parking area are within the drip line of the tree. c.If retained, the tree is expected to suffer trunk failure, and/or other individual tree part failures in a heavy loading event or under normal circumstances. Large-diameter tree pieces are found within the canopy. If any of these tree parts were to fail and contact the adjacent apartment home or vehicles, mild to signiﬁcant consequences would be expected. d.This tree is being recommended for removal in order to minimize residual risk. The debris should be deposited in the greenbelt area in order to replicate the natural decomposition processes of the ambient environment DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 Testing and Analysis No soil assessment or advanced testing procedures were conducted. Discussion Upon inspection of the site, the 2 red alders and 1 red maple discussed in this report were viewed as high risk and likely to fail under normal conditions or a heavy loading event. Given the associated targets, occupancy rates, and signiﬁcant consequences upon failure, the trees presented on this report were ranked as being high-risk to the Benson Downs apartment community and visitors. Given the dead conditions and high-risk of the trees, they have exhausted their usefulness as landscape trees and have become liabilities; expected to fail towards critical target areas with occasional to constant occupancy. Future failures are expected to occur in a heavy-loading event, or under normal conditions, if these trees are retained as-is. Given that the associated targets are within the dripline of the trees, they are expected to cause future property or personal damage if retained. Benson Downs management intends to plant replacement trees if deemed necessary by the City of Renton. Recommendations Following the site visit to Benson Downs apartments, and the assessment of the trees included on this report, the following is recommended: •The 11” DBH red alder should be removed to the ground, and stump retained. •The 14” DBH red alder should have the dead leader reduced to a wildlife snag and the alive leader retained. •The 13.5” DBH red maple should be removed to the ground and stump retained. •If required, replacement trees should be planted in a species-appropriate location with adequate access to essential resources. It is being recommended that Western redcedars (Thuja plicata) are utilized as replacement species. Other acceptable species would be: Douglas-ﬁr, Paciﬁc dogwood, vine maple,. Alternative mitigation options were considered, but removal and wildlife snag reduction were deemed the preferred recommendations out of practicality and to minimize residual risk. Photos On Following Pages DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 Attachments: Photo 1a: ArborPlus inventory data: Tree ID: 1000859476 Dead red alder on edge of wetland. At lean toward apartment homes. Report continues on following page DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 Photo 1b: Report continues on following page DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 Photo 1c: Report continues on following pages DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 Photo 2a: ArborPlus inventory data: Tree ID: 1000168207 Codominant red alder with 1 dead leader on edge of wetland. At lean toward apartment homes. Report continues on following page DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 Photo 2b: Report continues on following page DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 Photo 3a: ArborPlus inventory data: Tree ID: 1000168715 Dead red maple near building and parking area. Report continues on following page DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597 Site Map DocuSign Envelope ID: DFF60512-DF1A-410D-97E7-F9BB581B7597