12-105601 ` CITY OF CITY HALL
iiderm
33325 8th Avenue
Federal Way Federal Way,WA98003-6325
(253)835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.corn
December 20,2012
Melody N Craff
31124 30t Avenue SW
Federal Way, WA 98023-7844
RE: File#12-105601-00-AD; CONDITIONAL TREE REMOVAL AUTHORIZATION
Craff,31124 30th Avenue Southwest,Federal Way
Dear Ms. Craff:
•
The City of Federal Way's Department of Community and Economic Development has completed an
administrative review of your request to remove one tree located on your property at 31124 30th Avenue
Southwest. Your request indicates that you would like approval to remove one Leyland Cypress tree and
replace it with one recommended species for this location.The arborist report submitted with your request
states that(paraphrased)the cypress has overgrown its planting area and if left poses a possible risk to the
foundation, walkway,and any water lines nearby.
You are hereby authorized to remove the subject tree.As a condition of this approval,you are
required to maintain the minimum number of tree units for your property by replacing the subject
tree in the Spring of 2013 with a native species per your arborist's recommendation(see enclosure).
Staff finds that the tree in question is nuisance vegetation as defined by Federal Way Revised Code
(FWRC) 19.05.140. Therefore,removal of the Leyland Cypress tree meets exemption#12 of FWRC
19.120.030 and no clearing/grading plan or tree/vegetation plan approvals are required. Pursuant to
FWRC 19.120.130, Tree and vegetation retention standards,a single-family residence is required to have
25 tree units per acre.
Enclosed is a tree unit calculator for your use to ensure your property maintains the required number of
tree units. As you stated, the Cypress will be replaced by a native tree more suited for this location and
that planting will occur in the Spring of 2013 as recommended by your arborist to avoid subjecting a
newly planted replacement tree to the winter frost.
Please make available copies of this approval to your contractors for verification should they be
questioned by city inspectors or neighboring residents during tree removal and replacement. You may
contact me at 253-835-2634 or kennith.george@cityoffederalway.com if you have any questions
regarding this letter.
Sincerely,
Kennith Geo e
Planning Intern
enc: Bulletin#073
Doc.CD.62787
M : ± z - ; o 56c ( --Co
, Grace Skidmore
From: Tina Piety
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2012 8:59 AM
To: PermitCenter
Subject: FW: Hazard/nuisance tree replacement
Please see and respond to the following.Thank you,
Tina
From: Melody Craff[mailto:melocraff@gmail.com]
Sent: Monday, December 17, 2012 8:56 AM
To: Melody Craff
Cc:Tina Piety; Patrick Doherty
Subject: Re: Hazard/ nuisance tree replacement
P.S. The hazard tree in question is less than 6" diameter when measured 4.5' from the ground. Thanks again.
Sent from my iPhone
On Dec 17,2012, at 8:46 AM, Melody Craff<melocraff@gmail.com>wrote:
Hi Tina and Patrick,
I called last week and got a voicemail in return, but am not clear to whom to send this request
and justification.
Attached is the arborist's assessment of the Leyland Cypress growing by my porch,which
structurally threatens our house on Corella Estates, 31124 30th Ave SW, Federal Way, WA
98023.
I would like to remove the cypress now and replace it with one of the recommended species for
this location(the arborist recommended planting the replacement in March to avoid frost killing
the newly planted replacement tree).
Please could you advise me, how should I seek approval from the city for this tree removal and
replacement on my property?
Thank you in advance.
Melody Craff(home owner)
Cell phone: (425) 319-3636
Sent from my iPhone
Begin forwarded message:
RECEIVED
From: Alec Schroader<alec@treeresource.com>
Date: December 14,2012 12:28:47 PM PST DEC 1 7 2012
1 CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
CDS
To: melocra..4,gmail.com
Subject: Tree Assesssment Form and Reccomendations •
Hi Melody,
I have attached the form that you can present to your HOA and city
if necessary. I have also attached the recommended trees list. Your
estimate will be following this email very shortly. Thank you
Alec W.G. Schroader
ISA Certified Arborist I ISA Certified Tree Worker
Crew Lead I Tree Resource
253.535.4499
<Craff STRaHA_121312.pdfy
2
Assessment Field Form
��p- Practicing
Date
Consulting
TREE
RESOURCE'CE'' Arborists. Assessor Name
❑PVA or STRaHA Alec W.G.Schroader
Client Name Property Location Phone email
Melody Craff 31124 30th Ave SW Federal Way,WA 98023 425.319.3656 melocraffQgirtail.com
Assignment
Assessment of Leyland Cypress on the South corner of the front patio.
Observations
PVA only STBaHA
Species: Cupressus x leylandii Height:-25ft CBH: -6"
Vigor: Poor I Fair I Good I Excellent
Structure: Poor I Fair I Good I Excellent CFF: CGL:
Other: HLB: Lean: Slight,south
Overgrowing its area. Spread of the tree is Crown
wider that the allotted area for growth.Patches
of diminished canopy in the mid canopy from Spread:—loft Slope:
roof and gutters within ift of the trunk.Base of
tree and root system within 2ft of structures. ART: Wind: SW
Root Flare: Poor I Fair I Good I Excellent
Root Conflicts: Yes I No -path,foundation
Site Map Trunk Taper: Poor I Fair I Good I Excellent
Co-Dominant: Yes I No
No.of Trunks: 1 1 2 1 3 1 4 1 5 1 +
coral ba Foliage color: Poor I Fair I Good I Excellent
Maple
\.01 Foliar Density: Poor I Fair I Good I Excellent
iy Structure: Poor I Fair I Good I Excellent
Japanese Age Class: Young I Mature I Senescent
Maple
Architecture: Simple I Complex
Associates:
111C 6146) TRACE(Tree Risk Assessment)
Leyland Cypress Japanese P T S 0
Snowball
1 + 3 + 1 = 5
Recommendations
Due to the fast growing nature of the Leyland cypress and the area in which this particular tree has been
planted,the best course of action is to remove and replant.Attached with this document is a list of possible
replacement trees that would be more beneficial to the area.
If left,the tree in question,poses a possible risk to the foundation,walkway,and any water lines nearby due
to the excessive growth of this species.Removal of the tree and planting of a slower growing/smaller tree can
mitigate these risks.
Tree Resource.com I Practicing Consulting Arborists I info@treeresource.com