13-102252CITY OF
Federal Way
May 28, 2013
Isai Nava
29401 Military Road South, #23
Federal Way, WA 98003
CITY HALL FILE
33325 8th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
(253) 835-7000
www. cityoffederalway.. com
RE: File #13-102252-00-AD; TREE REMOVAL INQUIRY
Laurelwood Valley MHP, 29401 Military Road South, #23, Federal Way
Dear Mr. Nava:
The Community and Economic Development Department has received your request to remove trees at
29401 Military Road South, behind site #23, due to potential hazard of falling on your mobile home and
adjacent shed. City staff conducted a site visit on May 14, 2013, to verify the location and condition of the
trees. The trees are located behind the existing fence line of the mobile home site, in what appears to be
land owned by Laurelwood Valley Mobile Home Park. There is a smaller tree with branches leaning over
the fence and onto a shed. Four larger trees have limbs that broke off during the winter storm and/or have
been cut down to prevent falling onto the roof. These four trees are proposed to be cut down.
According to the city's critical areas inventory, the trees are located in a Regulated Wetland Buffer area
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.
In order to authorize tree removal under the guidelines issued under Interpretation # 10-01, the department
requires written verification from a certified arborist stating that the trees meet the following FWRC
hazardous or nuisance definitions:
Hazard tree means any tree which, in the opinion of the city or an expert approved by the city
(such as, but not limited to, a professional forester, certified arborist, or landscape architect),
poses an unreasonable risk of failure and poses a hazard to a permanent structure or high use
outdoor area.
Nuisance vegetation shall mean any tree or vegetation that, in the opinion of the city or an expert
approved by the city (such as, but not limited to, a professional forester, certified arborist, or
landscape architect), is an invasive variety, is an allergen, or due to its location is causing or is
likely to cause damage to a permanent structure, or other economic or environmental harm or
harm to human, animal, or plant health that cannot be mitigated without removal of the tree or
vegetation.
Additionally, the certified/licensed professional should include what the proposed method of removal will
be, if stumps should remain, and if replacement planting is warranted. Please provide a site plan or
drawing showing the trees proposed for removal.
Mr. Nava
May 28, 2013
Page 2
At this time, if you are granted perm ission by the property owner, the department approves the removal
of the one smaller tree leaning against the shed, as it is obviously hazardous, and pruning of the lower tree
limbs leaning onto your mobile home site.
Should you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact me at 253-835-2641 or
Rebecca.Chapin@cityoffederalway.com.
Sincerely,
j A�
Becky Chapin
Assistant Planner
enc_ Interpretation#10-01
c: Email to: isain22@gmail.com
13-102252
Dx LD. 63500
� -,- 13 - ( 022.S2-
Rebecca Chapin
From: Isaac Conlen
Sent: Friday, May 10, 2013 2:32 PM
To: Rebecca Chapin
Subject: FW: Tree cut down at 29401 Military Rd s #23 Federal way 98003
Hi Becky,
Would you please call Mr. Nava back today and set up a time to go look at his trees? He wants to remove several trees
he feels are hazardous from a wetland area. I might be able to go with you for the site visit.
Isaac
From: Isai Nava Imailto:1sain22 gmail.com
Sent: Wednesday, May 08, 2013 1:31 PM
To: Isaac Conlen
Subject: Re: Tree cut down at 29401 Military Rd s #23 Federal way 98003
Hi
Yeah i am available anyday you can call me and i could meet up with you at any time my cell phone 253 249
4596
On Thursday, May 2, 2013, Isaac Conlen wrote:
Hi Isai,
Got your email. We need to make a site visit to take a look at the trees. Why don't you email me a couple of
dates/times that work or call me to discuss.
Best,
Isaac
253 835 2643
From: Isai Nava [ma !Ito:isain22 gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, April 27, 2013 2:30 PM
To: Isaac Conlen
Subject: Tree cut down at 29401 Military Rd s #23 Federal way 98003
Greetings Isaac
This email is refering a couple trees we were cuting down but we were interuped by an officer. I went to the city
hall on monday the 22nd of april i talked to you regarding this concerns. In this email im sending you pictures
of the trees.