13-102132 CITY OF CITY HALL
Federal Way 33325 8th Avenue South
Mailing Address: PO Box 9718
Federal Way,WA 98063-9718
(253)835-7000
www.cityoffederalway.com
June 13,2013
Mr. Steven L. Wilson
616 SW 331'Place F ILE
Federal Way, WA 98023-6173
Re: File#13-102132-00-AD; APPROVAL OF TREE REMOVAL
Wilson—Tree Removal; 616 SW 331"Place
Dear Mr. Wilson:
The Community and Economic Development Department has received your request to remove 19 alder
trees at or near the top of the hillside at the above address for the purpose of relieving stress to the fir trees
on the property.According to a site visit,the area in question appears to meet the definition of a
geologically hazardous area.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
Proposed tree work utilizing hand tools and/or hand powered tools is hereby approved per the findings
and conclusions provided below.
CONDITION
Stumps for the 19 alder shall not be removed.
DECISIONAL CRITERIA
Planning Division staff reviewed the request and provided a bulleted response to each of the director's
decisional criteria below.
I. The proposed activity will not adversely affect water quality. Tree roots will not be
disturbed and adequate erosion protection to the slope 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
in question is not known to contain any specific habitat areas and therefore,the removal
File 613-102132.00-AD Doc.I D.63517
Mr. Steven L. Wilson
Page 2 of 3
June 13,2013
will not damage a significant habitat area.The site is heavily forested and will contain a
large number of trees,even after cutting completed.
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 arse.: contribute to drainage and stormwater retention failures.
:,.
sr re
4. The pro rsjiact ity will not lead to unstable earth conditions, nor create erosion
hazards. The tree removal is limited in scope.Tree stumps along with the remaining
vegetation will stabilize any possible erosion.
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. The tree work will reduce
the likelihood of property damage and the result of the tree work 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 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.The 19 alder trees in question
are impeding the growth of the existing fir trees on the property.The removal of these
alder trees will enable future growth of fir trees and will therefore;result in maintenance
of a healthy tree canopy.
7. The proposed activity does not require review under the State Environmental Policy Act
(SEPA). The department concludes that this activity is exempt from SEPA review.
8. The proposed activity is consistent with the requirements of FWC Chapter 19.120,
"Clearing, Grading, and Tree and Vegetation Retention."The removal of 19 alder trees
is consistent with the purpose statement and regulations of FWRC 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 Planning Intern Reece Golz at 253-835-2634,or
CDvolunteer@cityoffederalway.com,should you have any questions regarding this decision.
Sincerely,
Isaac Conlen, Planning Manger
for Patrick Doherty, Director
c: Planning Intern Reece Golz
File 1113-102132-00-AD Doc.I .63517
= J3 -/ 1_
Isaac Conlen
From: Steven Wilson <jamesislandfish@gmail.com> Co (0 SLO 33 1st- Pt,.
Sent: Monday, May 06, 2013 9:45 AM
To: Isaac Conlen
Cc: Raelene Wilson
Subject: tree removal/replacement at our residence
Attachments: img046.pdf
Hi Isaac . .
I apologize for my tardiness in sending the diagram of our yard(you should find it attached).
As we discussed when you visited April 17th, it is our ultimate intent to remove up to 19 (nineteen) alder trees
at or near the top of the hillside. The work would be done by licensed professionals who will be instructed to
leave a portion of the trunk(a couple of feet up from the ground) for each tree cut. Admittedly, we may not
have all the work done at one time as our budget may not be within the estimates we receive. The remaining
trees on the hillside down to the fence line will not be removed, however some light pruning may occur to
relieve stress on the growing fir trees. By standing on the sidewalk along SW 330th Street, you can readily see
the few fir trees being bent over. There were several trees "tagged" with blue painter's tape near the fence on
SW 330th Street but those trees will not be considered for removal.
It is our goal to replant the hillside, primarily the SW side where the fir trees have died(most likely due to lack
of sunshine caused by the alder trees canopy). The Weyerhaeuser seedling sale at Rochester, WA will take
place next Feb. and/or March(2014) and we will plant soon after- we bought about 100 fir trees when last we
planted those you saw growing on the hillside. I don't think half have survived the shade.
I have read the 4 page document you sent and believe our intent to remove the 19 alder trees will (as per our
conversation in our yard and as stated in #6a on page 3) "insure the health of existing vegetation." And as a
matter of being good neighbors, we have talked with ours (both the home owner to the East and the renters to
the West) and shared our intentions. They have no problems with our plans.
Thank you again for taking the time to visit our yard and review our concerns and offer direction. Please don't
hesitate to call or write with any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Steve Wilson
(253) 732 4617
i
. /
54-e-Qe--t Qcte-ke,ne, \NI; 15 D n (Got 6 SW. 53\Si i ihr jera I GJ ay
__.
---
no real close. kb 5ca
T•k
5 .......— -
— ...--
___„ „.
----
__...... .....,..".„.....-„......„..
..,
, r
. , \ (...,----,,,,
\
9/ .
:).* •ti . _, ,. ,,,.
v3'N1 -, .... .. '
t \
ae
,, \
4.7. VSV.,.., t „./ ,
, i .,,, M \
,
..( ,L'.--" co .7 ,,,,./ , A
.,
.3-- -.7•4- / ,....., p..;,„ ,,,,,t..2.) ...„ - , , \
..." -..',A IS, r 1ik4 4'®3, '\
,,-' .
g~ ,,,, 6,1) -:'4,. , ' 41 ••
,
,, '' . i 4
'
ec...-, -,., .,.
y ciit 0.d.,,
f
c,
.176 ,
,---,,,
0
r. ,..''.
''
,
L - ...-
,
. ‘,..
/ I L V;
,,, ileiLtSt /
- \iint-sAtIt- 4,--" '''
k...-1 fel - ' --
Red - 2 ReawocetS 44/r1 "144) ..7 tad 65.1A.I. 331Sir (
-., z.... ) t
5? -
N„,..t.,
Ictriio "\-, /1---/
7
0 C6-14ot-r1/4064 (2.d z-3 Apekri) / N
\
\
,c. 11
,
,
,
C4 +kmk C) ri,a-kive, alder +rees, Sornt. ‘, zi
f'AkA4i—S4ernryte,d, ftgueSi 'lb bt. remove
-,t AU Yntrou5 Vokx514tS ci IrS i-o+1AL Isi aid E
,N7 Go
o4 ±I 5 saIdcr --k-rce ,(us ovle onetdront - ret