19-103356CrTY HALL
CITY OF 33325 8th Avenue South
A% ecj�k6� Federal Way, WA 98003-6325
Federal Way (253) 835-7000
Centered on Opportunity WWW. cityoffederalway, corm
Jim Ferrell, Mayor
July 19, 2019
Eileen Strauss Emailed: eileenstauss )earthlink-imt
32636 7h Avenue SW
Federal Way, WA 98023
RE: File #19-103356-AD; PARTIAL EXEMPTION th
Strauss Vegetation Maintenance/Tree Removal, 406 SW 316 Street, Federal Way
The Department has completed review of your request to remove dead and hazardous trees along the
eastern property line in a wetland buffer (prior rating Category 1). You request to remove one dead large
-.1-1w 1-2x-Wix small trees, and several diseased alders in close proximity to two accessory buildings.
The request also includes linibing a large willow located in the wetland buffer that has collapsed. Per
FWRC 19.145.120(7), Partial Exemptions, the director may authorize removal of hazard tree removal,
removal of nuisance vegetation, and limited prunin for views in a critical area buffer.
9
[PECISION
l!ursuant to your arborist/forester's recommendation (Stow Jensen, Branches Garden Center), the
Atoigmr-mt-De—pul�ment li�erebw authorizes the removal of the above -mentioned trees dim
to the potentially hazardous condition of the trees. Your request and vegetation plan identifies removag
with hand -powered tools and the area will be restored with replacement trees that are both native and
viable in the wetland setting and location. Dead trunks, limbs and tree snags will be left in place for
habitat.
CONDITIONS
1. Staff recommends installing split rail fencing along the south east property edge to separate existing
lawn area from the native wetland vegetation and understory associate with Mirror Lake.
2. 1 The subject approval is applicable only to the maintenance proposed; future work within a wetland
buffer area is subject to Community Department review and approval and an arbonist report.
CLOSING
es, - olicies, and tandards
relating to this site. If you have any questions regarding this letter, please contact Leila Willoughby -
Oakes, at (253) 835-2644, or Leila.Willoughby-Oakes@cityoffederalway.com.
Sincerely,
�Davis
Co-tvit-unity Development Director
c: Leila Willoughby -Oakes, Associate Planner
enc: Approved Vegetation Maintenance Plan
Doc, 1D. 79389
19-103356-00-AD
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Property Address:
406 SW 316" St
Federal Way WA 98023
Several trees near southeast property edge within/bordered by wetlands have died. The branches
either contained minimal brown leaves or were entirely bare. The trees were dead from top to bottom.
Green foliage was absent on the trees. The wood trunk and branches were dead. Pests infested some
dead samples. See E.
The dead and/or hazardous trees were all located along the eastern portion of the property:
A) 1 large western red cedar 60+ ft located east of the grove of 5 tall trees nearest house.
B) 6 smaller trees -- cedars and alder, each 15 ft est located east of the 2 sheds.
C) Smaller alders 12 ft est located further south.
D) 1 large willow tree with one main branch collapsed, also located south of the sheds.
The Trees A and B have been cut down. Trees C are requested to be cut. Tree D needs to have
hazardous branches and/or trunk removed. See A, B, C and D.
The property has been inspected by Leila Willoughby -Oakes on July 5. The trees and/or cut
components thereof were also examined on site by Steve Jensen, owner of Branches Garden Center in
Auburn. 253-941-7705. He inspected the entire site and confirmed that the primary trunks/branches of
the cut trees were dead and had been so for many months. See A and B. He confirmed some small
alders are also dead. See A and C. He examined the willow tree and confirmed that it should be
substantially trimmed and possibly cut down if the tree remains hazardous. See D.
In addition, in most areas beneath and near the trees, large amounts of trash were discovered.
Trash included electrical wires, large metal pipes, containers and other junk. It is believed that such
trash had been illegally dumped on the site during years prior to current ownership of the property. It
was hidden by mounds of blackberry bushes. Some items have already been removed from the site.
Remaining items should be removed. Trash extended along the eastern side of the property from the
house to the south border of the property. It was interspersed on the ground or in mounds. One area
nearer the house was filled with trash with blackberry bushes interwoven throughout. See F.
New foliage will be planted to replace the prior trees, and to remedy the trashy and cut areas. See
G. Steve has provided suggestions for plants that should thrive in this wetland environment. Portions of
the cut dead trunks, currently in rows (see A), will be interspersed more evenly on the ground. Some
dead wood will be used for firewood. See F.
Thank you for your consideration.
Eileen Stauss, 206-399-2046 cell
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FILE NumBER.-
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CITY _ '.STATE ZIP
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Code Interpretation/Clarification
Critical Areas Letter( alysi eer Review
Request for Extension (band se/Plat Approval)
Revisions to Approved Permit
13 Tree Removal
Zoning Compliance Letter
El
'ate
COMMUNiTy DEVELOPMENTDEPARTMENT
33325 8'h Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 9800
253-835-2607;Fax 253-835-2609
&YAj.ojt 0 ederaIwwray.com
Bulletin #079 —January 4, 2016 Page 1 of 1 k:ffl douts\R eest for Administrative Decision