12-102271 CITY OF CITY HALL
Federal Way 3332Feder 8th Avenue South
Federal Way,WA 98003-6325
(253)835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.corn
July 11,2012
F LE
Mr.Brian Erickson
Evergreen Tree Care
3020 Issaquah/Pine Lake Road
Sammamish, WA 98075
Re: File#12-102271-00-AD; TREE TRIMMING APPROVAL
Sayles Hazardous Tree Removal; 2842 SW 302"d Place,Federal Way
Dear Mr.Erickson:
The Community and Economic Development Department has received your request to address potential
hazards represented by three mature trees: a 32"dbh Oregon broad leaf maple,a 22"dbh bitter wild
cherry, and a 20"dbh red alder that are located within a 100'major stream setback area.
According to the city's critical areas inventory, the trees are within a major stream buffer and therefore,
removal does not qualify as an exempt action listed in Federal Way Revised Code(FWRC) 19.120.030.
The department has issued Interpretation#10-01 that provides clarification of the proper procedure,
application materials, and decisional criteria for vegetation removal within identified critical areas.
DECISION
Trimming of the three trees utilizing hand tools and/or hand powered tools is hereby approved per the
findings and conclusions provided below.
CONDITIONS
1. Each of the three trees shall be reduced in height to a habitat stump ranging from 20 to 30
feet in height.The height of each stump will vary from 20 to 30 feet amongst the trees to
allow for a more natural appearance.
2. Ongoing maintenance will be conducted as least once every 5 years by a certified arborist
to monitor tree health and conduct maintenance pruning as may be required.
3. All tree cutting will be done by climbers with hand tools/hand powered tools.
4. Debris will be lowered and removed from the area using no heavy equipment within the
sensitive area.
File e12-I02271-00-AD Doc.ID.61281
Mr Brian Erickson
Page 2
July 11,2012
BACKGROUND
The subject property owner,Joan Sayles, obtained the services of ISA Certified Arborist H. Brian
Erickson to assess the condition of the above-referenced trees. As detailed in a letter, email,and exhibits
provided by Mr.Erickson,the trees are leaning toward neighbors' property,or showing signs of decline.
Mr. Erickson hagFrecottimettdedcutting the tops of each of the trees to create a"habitat stump"as they
pose a potential future risk toile subject property and neighboring properties.According to Mr.Erickson,
the property owner has'reeentl} planted the surrounding area with 8-10 foot tail native cherry and western
red cedars, so no new plantings are proposed.
DECISIONAL CRITERIA
Planning Division staff reviewed your request and provided a bulleted response to each of the director's
decisional criteria below.
1. The proposed activity will not adversely affect water quality.
• Trees will be trimmed to 20-30 foot tall"habitat stumps."Tree roots will not be
disturbed,and the property owner has already planted native cherry and western red cedar
in the area so that the canopy and adequate erosion protection to the stream will be
retained.Further,the decision has been conditioned to allow removal via hand tools only
to limit impact on surrounding soils.
2. The proposed activity will not destroy nor damage a significant habitat area.
• The parcel is not designated a Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Area.Habitat
stumps will be retained and the area has been planted with native cherry and western red
cedar,which will serve as habitat area.
3. The proposed activity will not adversely affect drainage or stormwater retention capabilities.
• Tree stumps and root systems will be retained so work will not alter the drainage course
or contribute to drainage and stormwater retention failures.
4. The proposed activity will not lead to unstable earth conditions nor create erosion hazards.
• Tree trimming is limited in scope. Remaining vegetation and removal conditions will
provide adequate stabilization and erosion controls.
5. The proposed activity will not be materially detrimental to any other property nor to the city as a
whole, including the loss of significant open space.
• Tree trimming will reduce the likelihood of private property damage. Result of tree
trimming will not contribute to loss of open space.
6. The proposed activity is necessary to: a)maintain existing pathways and landscaping,ensure the
health of existing vegetation,achieve limited pruning to allow for view maintenance, reduce tree
File#12-102271-00-AD Doc.ID.61281
Mr Brian Erickson
Page 3
July 11,2012
mass or redirect tree growth, or similar purposes; and/or b)the proposed activity is necessary to
minimize potential impacts from dead, dying, diseased, or otherwise dangerous or nuisance
vegetation.(Emphasis added.)
• Certified Arborist H. Brian Erickson has determined the trees are leaning toward adjacent
properties and/or are diseased and have the potential for future property damage.His
recommendation is to reduce the trees to habitat stumps to eliminate the property damage
risk.
7. The proposed activity does not require review under the State Environmental Policy Act.
• The department concludes hazardous tree removal within critical areas is a maintenance
activity and categorically exempt from an environmental threshold determination
pursuant to FWRC 14.15.070.
8. The proposed activity is consistent with the requirements of Chapter 19.120,"Clearing, Grading,and
Tree and Vegetation Retention."
• A limited scope of work, recent planting of trees within the area where the canopy is
being reduced, and preservation of existing vegetation is consistent with the purpose
statement and regulations of Chapter 19.120.
CLOSING
This administrative decision shall not waive compliance with future City of Federal Way codes,policies,
and standards relating to this site. Please contact Senior Planner Janet Shull at 253-835-2644, or
janet.shull@cityoffederalway.com, if you have any questions regarding this decision.
Sincerely,
Isaac Conlen, Planning Manager
for Patrick Doherty, Director
c: Janet Shull,AICP,Senior Planner
Joan Sayles,2842 SW 302nd Place,Federal Way,WA 98023
File#12-102271-00-AD Doc.ID.61281
Janet Shull
From: Janet Shull
Sent: Monday,June 04, 2012 3:12 PM
To: 'BrianE@Evergreentic.com'
Subject: Sayles Hazardous Trees Inquiry
Dear Mr. Erickson,
I am reviewing your request for tree removal at the Sayles property in Federal Way (file number 12-102271-
AD). Could you please provide the following additional information to assist in our review:
1. Please provide more information as to what is meant by "habitat stub" (narrative description and
representative photo/drawing).
2. Provide detail as to the height each tree will be after reduction, and the plan for ongoing
management/maintenance of the trees for grow back over time.
3. Please provide detail as to the means of tree reduction. For example, in sensitive areas such as a stream
setback area, we only allow hand tools, no heavy equipment in the area.
4. Please indicate whether or not any replanting of vegetation is proposed.
You may respond to this email or in writing to me at City of Federal Way, 33325 8th Avenue South, Federal
Way, WA 980003.
Sincerely,
Janet Shull, AICP, CSBA, LEED Green Associate
Senior Planner
City of Federal Way
Community and Economic Development
253-835-2644
1
Janet Shull
From: Brian Erickson <briane@evergreentic.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 19, 2012 11:19 AM
•
To: Janet Shull
Cc: Brian Erickson
Subject: RE: Sayles Hazardous Trees Inquiry
Follow Up Flag: Follow up
Flag Status: Flagged
Thank you Janet,
I will correlate my responses with the numbers below:
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1. Habitat Stub/Stump =; *` �'. ;: .. , _ These are
usually 20 30 ft to mitigate hazard.
1
2. I would recommend different heights for aesthetics.(20-30ft) I also recommend 5 to 10 year maintenance
program for new growth depending on volume and height of co-dominant growth.
3. All reductions will be done by climbers and hand chainsaws. Debris will be lowered and removed from area
using no heavy equipment in sensitive area.
4. Customer has already planted trees in and near sensitive area all are 8-10 ft native cherry and western red
cedars. Propose no new plantings as this should be sufficient for habitat protection.
Thank you again,
H. Brian Erickson
ISA Certified Arborist#PN-6223A
ISA Certified Tree Risk Assessor CTRA 1706
206-713-1576
BrianePEvergreentic.com
From: Janet Shull jmailto:Janet.Shull cityoffederalway.coml
Sent: Monday, June 04, 2012 3:12 PM
To: Brian Erickson
Subject: Sayles Hazardous Trees Inquiry
Dear Mr. Erickson,
I am reviewing your request for tree removal at the Sayles property in Federal Way(file number 12-102271-
AD). Could you please provide the following additional information to assist in our review:
1. Please provide more information as to what is meant by"habitat stub" (narrative description and
representative photo/drawing).
2. Provide detail as to the height each tree will be after reduction, and the plan for ongoing
management/maintenance of the trees for grow back over time.
3. Please provide detail as to the means of tree reduction. For example, in sensitive areas such as a stream
setback area, we only allow hand tools, no heavy equipment in the area.
4. Please indicate whether or not any replanting of vegetation is proposed.
You may respond to this email or in writing to me at City of Federal Way, 33325 8th Avenue South, Federal
Way, WA 980003.
Sincerely,
Janet Shull, AICP, CSBA, LEED Green Associate
Senior Planner
City of Federal Way
Community and Economic Development
253-835-2644
Confidentiality Notice:This e-mail message.including any attachments,is for the sole use of the intended recipient(s)and may contain confidential and privileged
information.Any€nauthorized review,use,disclosure or distribution is prohibited.If you are not the intended recipient,please contact the sender by reply e-mail
and destroy at copies of the original message.
2
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EVER GAT
3020 Issaquah Pine Lake Rd
PMB#503
Sammamish, WA 98075
(800)684-8733
Customer and Location:
Joan Sayles
2842 SW 302nd place
Federal Way,WA 98023
Species:
Oregon Broad Leaf Maple (Acer Macrophyllum) 32" dbh
The Maple is mature and leaning toward and over neighbors home. That being said, with
any tree in an environmentally protected area, I would recommend reducing the size to
mitigate the hazard.
Bitter wild Cherry (Prunus emarginata) 22"dbh
The Cherry is mature and showing signs of decline with large open split in bark layer --
(phloem) exposing heart wood at 20ft from base. This leaves 25ft+ of the tree above the
weak area. This cherry should be reduced to alleviate the hazard and property damage.
Red Alders (alnus rubra) 20" dbh
This is a three stem Alder that is co-dominant and leaning over homes to the east. Alders
are a great northwest native tree, but are fast growing and their susceptible to crown
breaking. They have a very weak branch attachment genetically. Alders are known for
not being able to contain decay (CODIT).
Arborist Recommendation:
I recommend mitigating the height of these trees to a habitat stub and allowing for a safe
environment.
Thank you,
H. Brian Erickson
Evergreen Tree Care
BrianE@Evergreentic.com
(206)713-1576 RECEIVED
ISA Certified Arborist
PN-6223A MAY 2 2 2012
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
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