12-100013crtv of
�. Federal Way
January 10, 2012
Steve Ikerd
City of Federal Way-PRCS
33325 S'h Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003
RE: File #12-100013-00-AD; RESPONSE TO INQUIRY
West Campus Division #6, *NO SITE ADDRESS*
Dear Mr. Ikerd:
CITY HALL
33325 8th AvenFsouJ E
Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
(253) 835-7000
www. cityoffederalway.. com
The City of Federal Way's Community and Economic Development Department has reviewed and
approves your request to remove hazardous, dead, dangerous, or diseased vegetation from open space
Tract C within West Campus Subdivision #6.
The area of concern is parcel #926495-1140, located behind the private residence located at 33301 12`h
Avenue SW. An Arborist's report dated January 3, 2012, prepared by Thundering Oak Enterprises,'
reviewed the conditions of two trees located on the tract. Specifically, it was found that two multi -
stemmed cottonwood trees have a moderate seam of included bark, which is considered a significant
contributor to tree failure. The risk of failure increases with time, and both trees have the potential to
adversely impact one or more adjacent properties. You confirm these findings in your tree removal
request dated December 30, 2011.
The open space tract is located within the 50-foot setback from a minor stream, and the request was
reviewed pursuant to Interpretation #10-01 to the Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC). Interpretation
# 10-01 of FWRC addresses temporary intrusions into environmentally sensitive and associated buffer
areas for vegetation maintenance. It states that trees located in a critical area may be removed if granted
Director's approval. Criteria evaluated in your proposed action plan were consistent with Interpretation
# 10-01, and demonstrated that the removal of the identified sections of trees did not adversely affect the
natural environment. It is important to note that any work within the hazardous area would be limited to
the use of hand tools (including power tools). Replacement trees are not required.
Please contact Planning Intern Alexa Heidrich at 253-835-2622 or Alexa.Heidrich@cityoffederalway.com
if you have any questions regarding this letter.
Sincerely,
Alexa Heidrich
Planning Intern
1 ISA Certified Arborist #PN0232
Doc. LD.60019
AP
(DO° l 3
Federal Way
Parks and Facilities Division
Date: December 30, 2011
To: Isaac Conlen, Planning Manager
From: Stephen Ikerd, Parks & Facilities Manager
I.S.A. Certified Arborist #PNI942A
Subject: Tree removal request
The City received a tree concern report from Mr. Bui on Dec 19, 2011. 1 inspected the
site and confirmed the trees in question are on City property and found 2 large multi
stem cottonwood trees that have defects that make them susceptible to future failure.
Each of these trees is tall enough that should any part fail could hit adjoining private
properties. As a result of my findings I asked our contracted Arborist for a second
opinion and recommendations.
I concur with the attached Thundering Oak report and request permission to remove
these cottonwood trees. The trees in question are located behind Mr. Bui's home
located at 33301 12`h Ave SW. These trees are between his fence and a gravel path
/service road.
RECEIVED
JAN 0 3 2012
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
CDS
r•;y
January 3, 2012
Steve Ikerd
Federal Way Parks
Re: #55 Joe Bui Tree concerns
P.O. Box 1 847
AUBURN, WA 98071-1 847
OFFICE 253-288TREE (8733)
FAX: 253.939.51 26
WWW.THUNDERINGOAK.COM
Hi Steve,
I visited the greenbelt section behind Mr. Bui's home on 12t' Ave. SW. last week. He is
concerned about the cottonwood trees behind (south) his home on city -owned property.
This area is a lengthy greenbelt space with an asphalt path through it. There are three trees
worthy of notice that I saw while walking the area behind Mr. Bui's home.
The first, and probably the one he called about, is a two -stem cottonwood approximately 20 feet
from his fence.. One of the stems leans toward his home; the other toward the asphalt path and
apartments beyond. There is a moderate seam of included bark between the stems where they
diverge at 2 feet above ground. Included bark is'a well -documented and significant contributor
to tree failure, and will only become more pronounced as the stems get larger. The failure risk of
this tree will only increase over time.
The second tree group is a 3-stem system about 15 feet to the northeast of the first. The stem
diameters of these trunks are slightly larger than the first, around 20 inches. This tree has
identical structural problems, except that there are 3 targets instead of two. Though unlikely that
all three would fail simultaneously, it is also impossible to determine which one would go first.
Either way, the entire tree would need to be removed if one did fall. The targets for this tree
include Mr. Bui's home for one stem, his neighbor directly across the street for the 2nd, and the
apartments to the south for the 3ra
Since there is no way to effectively fix these structural issues, which will only get larger and
worse over time, I strongly recommend their removal.
Respectfully submitted,
Bryce Landrud
I.S.A. Certified Arborist #PN0232