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04-104823 F ILE ` CITY OF CITY HALL ' 33325 Avenue South• Box 9718 Federal Way Federal Way,WA 98063 97171 8 (253)835-7000 www.cityoffederal wa y.com April21,2005 Dean Michelson Redondo Bay Homeowners Association 324 South 295th Place Federal Way,WA 98023 RE: File No:04-104823-000-00-UP;USE PROCESS I APPROVAL Redondo Bay HOA Greenbelt Vegetation Management Plan Dear Mr.Michelson: The City has completed an administrative review of the proposed April 11,2005 Vegetation Management Plan, prepared by Bryce R.Landrud,ISA Certified Arborist#PN0232,of Arborscan for a portion of the Greenbelt at the Survey of Redondo.The proposed Vegetation Management Plan is hereby approved based on the following two conditions: 1) This approval applies only to the area shown on the approved plan. 2) No Land Surface Modification,which includes clearing or removal of trees,shrubs,groundcover and other vegetation and all grading,excavation and filling activities,is permitted in the Greenbelt area. Removal of Himalayan Blackberry and Scotch Broom is permitted pursuant to Federal Way City Code (FWCC)Section 22-1093(9). The Vegetation Management Plan shall be construed as an ongoing maintenance plan for vegetation within the Greenbelt.Please be advised that the City shall retain the right to rescind this approval should any of the following be determined to have occurred as a result of implementation of the Vegetation Management Plan: 1)adverse affect to water quality within the Greenbelt;2)destruction or damage of significant habitat area;3)adverse affect to drainage or stormwater retention capability;and/or,4)create unstable earth conditions or create erosion hazards. This decision shall not waive compliance with future City of Federal Way code,policies,and standards relating to this site.The effective date of this decision is April 25,2005.Pursuant to Federal Way City Code(FWCC) Section 22-356,any person who received notice of the administrative decision may appeal this decision to the Federal Way Hearing Examiner by May 9,2005.Please be aware that no work on the proposal can commence until the end of the appeal period.However,in that you are the only party of record,you may waive your right to appeal this decision.The City must receive this waiver in writing.Waiver of the right to appeal does not affect the effective date of this decision.Therefore,if you choose to waive your right to appeal,you could begin work on the proposal on April 25,2005. Should you have any questions about this letter,please call Jane Gamble,Associate Planner,at 253-835-2644. Sincerely, '=e; 11,1 Kathy McI lung,Director Community Development Services enc: Approved Site Plan 04-104823 Doc.I.D.31326 F ILE ` CITY OF CITY HALL Federal Way 33325Feder 8th Avenue South• Box 9718 Federal Way,WA 98063-971718 a,= (253)835-7000 www.cityoffedera l wa y.com March 23,2005 Dean Michelson Redondo Bay Home Owners Association 324 295th Place Federal Way, WA 98023 RE: File No: 04-104823-000-00-UP;RESPONSE TO SUBMITTED VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN Redondo Bay HOA Greenbelt . Dear Mr.Michelson: The City of Federal Way Department of Community Development Services staff has reviewed the Vegetation Management Plan submitted to the City February 24,2005.The Vegetation Management Plan,prepared by Arborscan on February 23,2005,proposes removing approximately 1/3 of the 210 alder saplings in the Native: Growth Protection Easement(NGPE)of the Record of Survey for Redondo Bay.Pursuant to Federal Way City code(FWCC)22-1 (enclosed),removal of trees,among other activities,constitutes a Land Surface Modification . (LSM).which is regulated under FWCC Section 22-1093(enclosed). In that the proposed Vegetation Management Plan LSM is not permitted outright as identified iii=FWCC Section 22-1093 (1-13),the proposal would be subject to Process III review and the decisional criteria for Process III approval identified in FWCC Section 22-1094(c)(3)(a-c).Please be advised,any proposal involving a non . . exempted LSM exceeds the scope of the Temporary Encroachment in Environmentally Sensitive Area.Setback for Vegetation Control and View Enhancement,as identified in the July 31, 1997,memorandum from Gregory - Moore,Director of Community Development Services.Upon reviewing code requirements,staff has determined • that the proposed removal of alder saplings within the NGPE will not likely meet any of the decisional criteria. identified in FWCC Section 22-1094(c)(3)(a-c),and as such would not qualify for Process III approval. If the applicant nonetheless chooses to pursue Process III approval pursuant to FWCC Section 22-1094,please be advised that State Environmental Policy Act(SEPA)review would likely be required. In order to proceed with the proposal under the current Process I application,the applicant is required to revise the egetat:ion Management Plan to include only tree and vegetation trimming and exclude removal of any vegetation i=.,cutting of trees,whether significant or not).The applicant may want to include a seasonal maintenance plan w€tr the.Vegetation Management Plan,so that approval can be ongoing. If you have any questions regarding this letter,please feel free to contact me at 253-835-2644. Sincerely, *61/40 Jane Gamble Associate Planner enc. FWCC 22-1 FWCC Section 22,D=vision.7,Land Modifications M-104823. Doc.I.D.31019 k CITY OF CITY HALL 33325 Federal Way Feder Avenue South• Box 9718 Federall Way,WA 98063-971718 (253)835-7000 www.cityoffedera/waycom December 6,2004 " FR 2 4 2005 Dean Michelson uI FY OF FEDERAL WAY Redondo Bay Homeowners'Association BUILDING DEPT. 324 SW 295m Place Federal Way, WA 98023 RE: File No: 04-104823-000-00-UP;REPLY TO INQUIRY FOR VEGETATION CONTROL Redondo Bay Greenbelt,Federal Way Dear Mr.Michelson: On November 30,2004,the City of Federal Way Department of Community Development Services received your Use Process I application to top,thin,and maintain trees within the designated Native Growth Protection Easements of Redondo Bay Survey.Please be advised that the submitted information is inadequate for the City to proceed with the review of your application at this time. Enclosed is a July 31, 1997 memorandum, from the Director of Community Development Services,which identifies the minimum application requirements to apply for a temporary encroachment in environmentally sensitive area setback for vegetation control and view enhancement. This memorandum also identifies the Decisional Criteria by which such an application would be reviewed. In order to proceed with your proposal,the following issue must be addressed:A vegetation control plan,prepared by a certified arborist and containing all of the information identified in the July 31, 1997 memorandum(referred to above),must be submitted for review. The required vegetation control plan must clearly demonstrate how the proposal meets all six of the Decisional Criteria. Please be advised that the site plan submitted on November 30,2004,indicates that an extensive area of Native Growth Protection Easement is involved in the proposed vegetation control application.The identified regulatory mechanism for permitting temporary encroachment into environmentally sensitive area setbacks for vegetation and view control is intended for minor ve etation control projects. Upon receipt of the required planimetric map identifying_the extent of the proposed vegetation control an enoting each affected tree and proposed action,the City will detenmme whether your proposal meets the intent olthe temQoraci.encroachmentjgulation. If the proposal exceeds`the scope oi''a minor vegetation control project,the applicant will be required e uird to either Modify tfie io s for wi-gi-iw the a p1ication.— ...__...__. .� q fy For your information,the vegetation control plan for a temporary encroachment into an environmentally sensitive area setback may be required to be reviewed by the City's environmental consultant in order to confirm that the proposal meets the identified decisional criteria.Third party review is conducted on a cost recovery basis. The •scope and scale of the proposal will determine the need for third party review. If you have any questions regarding this letter,please feel free to contact me at 253-835-2644. Sincerely, e Gamble Associate Planner enc: July 31, 1997 memorandum from Gregory Moore,Director of Community Development 04-104823 Doc I.29784 r • vale'4' '- i8e . ...po..............+'..=mmets. ...e • \ A _..•... "1 LOT I 1 LOT 2 . •\14 al ' *Mt a r ' t,"17-- . a t6 .=.=, jok-s*.• ***AL • _11*gt.r *'_"*„.• Ik ''''' ....-t-•7:4--4:S‘i—St•v",--i- - . . cc;z 74,.."7,7•T-,'PT;7.1•71' *-• mX1. .....Li• i..\ I - .. A C *LAT •, r•A A.At' . 1 ..••• •4.--. • _ ,... • 1 \ . • 1 ,•....ri L • --e 4-. --,.... ., , , . . - .. v . '.. • •,• ...,. ,„ . I, . ......_. - 1-7,-,7 ..1.:*‘\ • t k . • i-Immili.&14 -.. 1 _ . - .1 • • . . .... 1.-., i i .....______...„... .:-...-- - . A _ i•1•••••11•10• P••Si Altsihi , j V•sitis.„., .. 1111114t. . , . ir D F.: • t . • It t 1 ...d. ...7 t.: . t \ • .0, ,. 1. .i. 1.• _ *. r• ti SireverViaLet‘ ii 'n" -PAM I" ..-44196/POltd•Wassvr • it • - AdPatif#PAIVP ..,-•• ...ST I, • •• rr '.it - i 1. . BUENNA SPRINGS EAST LOT 35 • 'MM. **EA..To.tofi 1114401 R . FT ,• * MulliMI YAW . ., • i..r17. 4p. - - tria--cotww men Mir 411... ..umnit . • — C:F R 2 4 2005 orry OF FEDERAL WAY =Areas with trees affected by proposal BUILDING DEPI RBOA TREE CONSERRSCVN ATION CO.,INC. 31813 44TH AVE. S. •AUBURN, WA 98001 • www.arborscan.com King Co.: (253) 735-5290 • Pierce Co.: (253) 535-0037• FAX: (253) 735-8864 • Lic#:ARBORTC014Q5 RECEIVED February 23, 2005 FFR 2 4 2005 Mr. Dean Michelson Redondo Bay Homeowner's Assn. ?. q` F E Rai WAY 324 SW 295th Pl. ,ai� iNC DEPT. Federal Way, Wa. 98023 Re: Vegetation Management Plan Dear Mr. Michelson, I visited the green space buffer strips throughout your association's property on Wednesday,the 9th of February. The purpose of my visit was to examine these buffer areas and the trees within them to assist in developing a management plan. This plan should allow the maintenance of the vegetative cover,wildlife habitat and water quality while helping to reclaim some of the view corridors that were present when the homes were built. Though largely stocked now with native species such as red alder and Bigleaf maple, several non-native and invasive species are now common, such as Himalayan blackberry, English ivy and holly. All of the deciduous trees within the area of concern either grew from seed after the property was cleared(alder and maple)or from the stumps of trees felled during initial site preparation(maple). The density of these pioneer saplings and sprouts make it impractical to individually identify them on a survey or map,but the location of all trees within an area contained between the homes and along the stream banks makes them easy to find. There are no significant trees in the proposed vegetation management area. All alders and maples within the cutting area are 11"in diameter or less. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN The scope of work on this project is the cutting of approximately 1/3 of the 210 alder saplings in the drainage system identified on the accompanying map. In addition,up to V2 of the maple sprouts that are growing out of old stumps will be removed. There are too many trees to individually identify on a map; the area shaded in green denotes the limits of the cutting area. These trees are all volunteers; they were not planted nor planned,but simply seeded this area as pioneer vegetation following the original clearing for home construction. Since none of the trees have attained significant tree size,but yet are reaching up into the view corridor, removal of the largest of these individuals will accomplish several objectives. It will allow for better individual tree growth. Attaining a ARBORSCAN TREE CONSERVATION CO., INC. 31813 44TH AVE. S. •AUBURN, WA 98001 • www.arborscan.com King Co.: (253) 735-5290 • Pierce Co.: (253) 535-0037• FAX: (253) 735-8864 • Licit: ARBORTC014Q5 spacing of at least 5 feet between trees will reduce competition and allow remaining individuals to develop better stem growth. Dead and weak or failed trees can be removed to further encourage remaining stems. This system allows for all of the attributes of an NGPE to remain virtually unchanged by periodic `rotational thinning' of the tallest trees without the unsightly and expensive topping programs which shorten tree life and increase disease and decay problems. This system works extremely well with maples too, as a)large maples growing out of old stumps tend to be higher risk trees,poorly attached and crowded and,b)new shoots continually develop from the cut areas, keeping the stumps and roots functional and with a diverse collection of stem sizes. Plant material cut will be slashed and scattered on the ground; most trees have very little material in the form of branches or brush, and will quickly decompose to add organic material to the soil surface scarified during original clearing. There will be no net loss to the function of the tree canopy from this activity. The trees in question are not yet large enough to be considered a forest. The area of trees to be trimmed is too small to affect the overall vegetative quality. Invasive non-native plants such as blackberry have already reclaimed much of this area. Native plants in the cutting area such as ferns,Indian plum, and salmonberry will not be damaged. DECISIONAL CRITERIA 1) The saplings to be removed, 1 — 10"in diameter,have not been in place long enough to have acquired much in the way of water quality improvement. The area of trees to be removed is in the least sloped portion of the site. Remaining roots and tree stems, combined with ample ground vegetation will continue to perform water retention and erosion control purposes. 2) This is not a significant habitat area. Several potential nesting trees are on this site, but are at least 300 feet from the cutting area. 3) This area appears to function adequately as a storm water drainage area. The removal of a portion of these trees will not enhance or impede that function, as the remaining trees will readily adapt to occupy any vacant air and root space. 4) The steep slope areas do not have trees to be cut,and, since this area is,by and large, manmade, it is likely that the drainage was engineered so as to eliminate unstable earth conditions. 5) There will be no detrimental affect to the City or any other property owners,as the net result of this work will be virtually undetectable. Screening will be maintained while enhancing scenic vistas. 6) Though this plan does not effectively return the view vista to nearly the level present following the initial clearing operations or what the original homeowners RB lik , . TREEO CONSERVATION CO., INC. ' 31813 44TH AVE. S. •AUBURN, WA 98001 • www.arborscan.com King Co.: (253) 735-5290• Pierce Co.: (253) 535-0037 • FAX: (253)735-8864 • Lic#: ARBORTC014Q5 enjoyed and are still taxed upon, it does allow an improvement and the ability to restrict the continued loss of those views. Thank you once again for your interest in our firm,and please do not hesitate to call should you have any further questions. Respectfully submi d, .,,z2,..iot .%,if, Bryce R. Landrud ISA Certified Arborist#PN0232 DEPARTMENT OF COIV MUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Memorandum TO: Planning Staff and Interpretation Notebook E GE R/F p FROM: Gregory D. Moore, AICP 61\ °a 4 2005 Director of Community Development Services Y jF. f=[D[_fRAL WAY BG DATE: July 31, 1997UI['DIN DEPT. SUBJECT: Temporary Encroachment in Environmentally Sensitive Area Setback for Vegetation Control and View Enhancement • Interpretation Temporary intrusions within an environmentally sensitive area(ESA) buffer are not specifically contemplated in the Federal Way City Code(FWCC). Traditionally, temporary intrusions into environmentally sensitive area setbacks have been reviewed subject to the underlying land use process identified for constructing structures or improvements within an ESA setback area (Process IV). Under certain circumstances such as temporary ESA setback encroachment for view enhancement and minor vegetation control projects, an extensive review is not warranted and a Process I (Administrative Review) is most appropriate unless the Director of Community Development Services determines the nature of the project is so minor, that no formal review process is required by the City. Process I review equals the process identified for minor • improvements in wetland or stream setback areas (FWCC 22-1359(c) &22-1312(b)). Discussion The City has received an increasing number of inquiries regarding vegetation control and view enhancement within environmentally sensitive area setbacks. Vegetation management projects which are well designed and executed should result in minimal impact on the function and quality of ESA setback areas when established guidelines are followed. Temporary vegetation control projects in an ESA setback shall be reviewed through Process I review and subject to minimum application requirements and decisional criteria listed below, unless the Director of Community Development Services determines the nature of the project is so minor, that no formal review process is required by the City. 1 -3 A /ti-1 t yl —t--. 'J r ,�`^ -/-f%/`�- r K� r f rA— F e ' Minimum Application Requirements: t� L ..' �k� • Submit a completed master land use application. • The application is subject to a Process I decision by the Director of Community Development Services. • . Process I review is subject to an hourly review fee. • A vegetation control plan shall be developed by a certified arborist for tree maintenance/control projects. For understory vegetation control projects, a maintenance plan shall be developed by a qualified individual as determined by the Director of Community Development Services. The vegetation control plan must show how decisional criteria 1- 6 below are met and shall include the following information. i A. A planimetric map at appropriate scale denoting all tree locations, type and "- '` cal_ r_on the subject parcel. <vv" . A\ -- v( v B Identify the extent of the proposed vegetation control, denoting each affected i A -61 ( - tree and the proposed action. - " C. No trees defined as significant in the FWCC shall be trimmed, unless the trimming is to provide a benefit to the tree's health, due to an-existing damaged or dangerous condition na `: D. As a result of the completed project no net loss to the function of the tree canopy shall occur on the site. Elevation and planimetric views of the existing tree canopy and proposed tree canopy shall be provided for review purposes. E. Identify methods of vegetation control, equipment used, and discuss how the . 1-0. ' debris will or will not be removed from the site. F. The plan shall include a long term vegetation control/maintenance strategy if ( • ) r •proposed. , T J A{ r A C^ , ..- �,- , (. ' Decisional Criteria: ? The vegetation control plan shall demonstrate how the proposal meets each of the following criteria. ' -- • r.AA-Et 3, �'i C3Dt (.1) 'It will not adversely affect water quality. r c;'C2—° ' (2) It will not destroy nor damage a significant habitat area. ---- (3) It will not adversely affect drainage or stormwater retention capabilities. (4) It will not lead to unstable earth conditions nor create erosion hazards. J It will not be materially detrimental to any other property nor to the city as a whole, including the loss of significant open space or scenic vista. . (6) It is necessary to maintain a pre-existing scenic vista or view corridor, or is necessary to minimize potential impacts from dead, dying, diseased, or otherwise dangerous or invasive non-native vegetation. _ -7 ,—t--1 t/J� • S_ k\misc\in erp.esa ��);-.� r j .fl. �, ;��,� �' I ' ',Z�..f w--f' J r hJ r, I (\ (_L t } - 7 _ ,, _. 'r' r I ,1 5- J \.) —1�,-'J ARBORSCAN TREE CONSERVATION CO., INC. : . • 31813 44TH AVE. S. •AUBURN, WA 98001 • www.arborscan.corn King Co.: (253) 735-5290• Pierce Co.: (253) 535-0037 • FAX: (253)735-8864• Lic#: ARBORTC014Q5 `iL1. i;/ J Lam' April 11,2005 %�t,/, r' t,r i 2t�t05 Mr. Dean Michelson � a� Redondo Bay Homeowner's Assn. 324 SW 295th Pl. Permit' AL wither: O�( 23— vF' Federal Way, Wa. 98023 By' �� Re: Vegetation Management Plan Comments: Dear Mr. Michelson, I visited the green space buffer strips throughout your association's property on Wednesday,the 9th of February. The purpose of my visit was to examine these buffer areas and the trees within them to assist in developing a management plan. This plan should allow the maintenance of the vegetative cover, wildlife habitat and water quality while helping to reclaim some of the view corridors that were present when the homes were built. Though largely stocked now with native species such as red alder and Bigleaf maple, several non-native and invasive species are now common, such as Himalayan blackberry, English ivy and holly. All of the deciduous trees within the area of concern either grew from seed after the property was cleared(alder and maple) or from the stumps of trees felled during initial site preparation(maple). The density of these pioneer saplings and sprouts make it impractical to individually identify them on a survey or map,but the location of all trees within an area contained between the homes and along the stream banks makes them easy to find. There are no significant trees in the proposed vegetation management area. All alders and maples within the trimming area are 11" in diameter or less. VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN The scope of work on this project is the trimming of approximately 1/2 of the 210 alder saplings in the drainage system identified on the accompanying map. In addition, up to '/z of the maple sprouts that are growing out of old stumps will be trimmed. There are too many trees to individually identify on a map; the area shaded in green denotes the limits of the management area. These trees are all volunteers; they were not planted nor planned,but simply seeded this area as pioneer vegetation following the original clearing for home construction. Since none of the trees have attained significant tree size,but yet are reaching up into the view corridor,trimming off of the upper portions of these individuals will accomplish several objectives. It will allow for better individual tree ARBORSCAN TREE CONSERVATION CO., INC. • • • 31813 44TH AVE. S. •AUBURN, WA 98001 • www.arborscan.com King Co.: (253) 735-5290 • Pierce Co.: (253) 535-0037 • FAX: (253) 735-8864 • Lic#: ARBORTC014Q5 growth. Removing some of the top growth of the larger individuals will allow more light through to the smaller trees and allow them to develop better stem growth. This system allows for all of the attributes of an NGPE to remain virtually unchanged by periodic `rotational trimming' of the tallest trees. This system works extremely well with maples too, as a) large maples growing out of old stumps tend to be higher risk trees,poorly attached and crowded and,b)new shoots continually develop from the cut areas,keeping the stumps and roots functional and with a diverse collection of stem sizes. Removal of the non-native trees, shrubs and vines may accompany the trimming program to help reduce the impact of these invasive species on the native growth easement. Plant material cut will be slashed and scattered on the ground; most trees have very little material in the form of branches or brush, and will quickly decompose to add organic material to the soil surface scarified during original clearing. There will be no net loss to the function of the tree canopy from this activity. The trees in question are not yet large enough to be considered a forest. The area of trees to be trimmed is too small to affect the overall vegetative quality. Invasive non-native plants such as blackberry have already reclaimed much of this area. Native plants in the cutting area such as ferns, Indian plum,and salmonberry will not be damaged. DECISIONAL CRITERIA 1) The saplings to be trimmed, 1 — 10" in diameter,have not been in place long enough to have acquired much in the way of water quality improvement. The area of trees to be trimmed is in the least sloped portion of the site. Remaining roots and tree stems, combined with ample ground vegetation will continue to perform water retention and erosion control purposes. 2) This is not a significant habitat area. Several potential nesting trees are on this site, but are at least 300 feet from the cutting area. 3) This area appears to function adequately as a storm water drainage area. The reduction of the overall height of the largest of these trees will not enhance or impede that function, as the remaining trees will readily adapt to occupy any vacant air and root space. 4) The steep slope areas do not have trees to be cut, and, since this area is,by and large, manmade, it is likely that the drainage was engineered so as to eliminate unstable earth conditions. 5) There will be no detrimental affect to the City or any other property owners, as the net result of this work will be virtually undetectable. Screening will be maintained while enhancing scenic vistas. RBORSCAN TREE CONSERVATION CO.,INC. • 31813 44TH AVE. S. •AUBURN, WA 98001 • www.arborscan.com King Co.: (253) 735-5290 • Pierce Co.: (253) 535-0037 • FAX: (253)735-8864 • Lic#:ARBORTC014Q5 6) Though this plan does not effectively return the view vista to nearly the level present following the initial clearing operations or what the original homeowners enjoyed and are still taxed upon, it does allow an improvement and the ability to restrict the continued loss of those views. Thank you once again for your interest in our firm,and please do not hesitate to call should you have any further questions. Respectfully submitted, Bryce . drud hP 1 ` 2005 ISA Certified Arborist#PN0232 ....er"'4,».- R.1[ .— ' k . 4 ` LOT ! t LOT 2 + ., \\ •Ias so sss+ s► • ,?‘$1- 8- 1 ■ 1 •,..:•us yen, 14si\ MAte.Ac,s_ r. x.'---iiiitaiti"X;-7. \ V • -Ti y: r TM.pr^ ='� =v ; jrr tm A - ■w1.w11is:„1 -- _ ' r �, r . • N _ :. , Y { siiiiii 1 Sftt PLAN APPROVAL V' Permit Number: ( f - /0`{ V 2:3 - ( P 'N � . Approved By:� 2� /R 4 Date: �� "Lt a/oS . 1 '.0"II • Nt\ /W", I 110 . ,�.4 ):143 t ' 1 ' 'N'� r Lo r ° - r } tv^ tsso] s' t t� ti i k• 3 ... . t 44 r il Ltd Al4rr i _ray S. I f•,- •..r f'1 R BUENNA SPRINGS EAST 4 LO: 3s t'' TOTFt toe.••4.lot Magi A •0445 TA a NRH+Y saw. ,• M..Y oft r ♦�..M 2 4 2005 =Areas with trees affected by proposal i[Y Oi i EDEIihL VVAY i;l)ILDING DEPT