Loading...
14-102640 fles CITY OF CITY HALL 33325 8th Avenue South ��. Federal Way Federal Way,WA 98003-6325 (253)835-7000 www.cityoffederalway..corn July 9,2014 Bill Hazelett Hazelett Family LLC III 14258 SE 270th Place Kent,WA 98042-8001 RE: Permit#14-102640-00-AD; FOREST PARK OFFICE BLDG 33320 9th Avenue South,Federal Way Dear Mr.Hazelett, The City of Federal Way's Department of Community Development has completed review of your email request to remove select trees from your property: Forest Park Office Building, located at 33320 9th Ave. South,Federal Way.Because a number of the trees are located within the buffer of a Category II wetland and/or its buffer,any modification to them is subject to review per interpretation#10-01,which provides clarification of the proper procedure and decision criteria for vegetation removal within identified critical areas.Additionally,Federal Way Revised Code(FWRC) 19.120.130 requires tree retention to meet the minimum required density as described on page 3. Based on the findings of the Community Development Department,the outright removal of the fir trees within the wetland buffer is not warranted at this time without the recommendation of a certified arborist. However,the limbs of the 3 large fir trees that are facing and overhanging the south side of the office building are deemed suitable to be pruned, by a certified professional,as to not cause a potential hazard to the property.Additionally,the 3 smaller fir trees closest to the southwest corner and the 2 fir trees closest to the southeast corner of the office building may be removed to prevent further damage to the parking lot. CONDITIONS • 1. Applicant is required to plant 5 trees(1.5-inch caliper)from the approved species list within 25 feet of tree removal areas, located on the southwest and southeast corners of the office building,within 60 days of tree removal. 2. The applicant must plant trees from the species list below: • Yellow Dogwood,Redtwig Dogwood,Vine Maple, Service Berry, Shore Pine, Weeping Willow, `Eddie's White Wonder' Dogwood. 3. Applicant is required to replant/supplement the property line abutting 9th Avenue South in order to conform to the Type III landscaping requirements pursuant to FWRC 19.125.060,Landscaping requirements by zoning district(enclosed). 4. The 3 trees south of the building, located within the wetland/buffer may be limbed by a certified professional to the extent their health will not be compromised. Mr.Hazelett July 9,2014 Page 2 5. Debris must be lowered and removed from the area using no heavy equipment within the sensitive area. 6. Call Kalon Thomas at 253-835-2622,or email kalon.thomas@cityoffederalway.com for inspection upon planting of trees. TREE REMOVAL IN WETLAND/BUFFER Approval criteria for Interpretation#10-01 to allow vegetation cutting/trimming in a wetland/buffer are addressed below: Trees south of building:Refers to the 3 large fir trees that are facing and overhanging the south side of the office building. Trees within parking lot areas:Refers to the 3 smaller fir trees closest to the southeast corner and the 2 fir trees closest to the southwest corner of the office building. 1. The proposed activity will not adversely affect water quality. Trees south of building: The cutting/maintenance of the above-mentioned trees will have no adverse impact on water quality. Trees within parking lot areas:The removal of the above-mentioned trees will have no adverse impact on water quality. 2. The proposed activity will not destroy nor damage a significant habitat area. Trees south of building:The trees are located within a wetland/buffer.As such, it provides potential habitat to birds and small mammals.The removal of the trees will impact wildlife habitat as these trees are an integral component of the wetland environment.These trees should not be removed unless they are found to be hazardous based on the assessment of a qualified expert.The trees may be trimmed,as recommended by a qualified expert, in such a manner that their health will not be impacted. Trees within parking lot areas:The trees are located within a wetland buffer.As such, it provides potential habitat to birds and small mammals.These trees are dangerous and/or causing damage to site improvements.The condition to require replanting of trees in these areas will replace lost habitat functions. 3. The proposed activity will not adversely affect drainage or stormwater retention capabilities. Trees south of building:The work will have no impact on drainage courses. Trees within parking lot areas:The work will have no impact on drainage courses. 4. The proposed activity will not lead to unstable earth conditions, nor create erosion hazards. Trees south of building: The pruning of trees will have no effect on earth conditions, nor create erosion hazards. Trees within parking lot areas: These trees are not located in an area subject to 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. Trees south of building: The tree work would not appear to have a detrimental impact on the property of others or result in loss of open space. 14-I02640 Doc.I.D.66028 Mr.Hazelett July 9,2014 Page 3 Trees within parking lot areas: The tree work will remove unsafe overhanging limbs and prevent further damage to the parking lot. Removal of these trees would not appear to have a detrimental impact on 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(Emphasis Added). Trees south of building: It is not clear that the trees within the wetland buffer are hazardous or nuisance vegetation. Trees within parking lot areas:The trees are visibly damaging the existing parking lot. Removal is necessary to prevent further damage. 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 FWRC Chapter 19.120, "Clearing, Grading, and Tree and Vegetation Retention."See below. COMPLIANCE WITH FWRC 19.120.130 TREE AND VEGETATION RETENTION STANDARDS Pursuant to FWRC 19.120.130,the minimum tree and vegetation requirements for Office Park(OP)must be met.The lot size of the above-mentioned property totaling 2.64 acres requires a minimum tree density of 53 tree units.Based on observations made by the Department,the removal of the 5 fir trees from within the parking lot areas and the 8 fir trees along 9 Avenue South will not bring the subject property below the minimum tree retention requirement threshold.However, if further tree removal is to take place,a tree density analysis will have to be conducted on the entire property before additional tree removal can take place. CLOSING This administrative decision shall not waive compliance with future City of Federal Way codes,policies, and standards relating to this site. If you have any questions regarding this letter,please contact Planning Intern Kalon Thomas at(253)835-2622,or Kalon.Thomas@cityoffederalway.com. Sincerely, Isaac Conlen Planning Division Manager enc: Landscaping requirements by zoning district c: Email to:bhazelett@hotmail.com Kalon Thomas,Planning Intern 14-102640 Doc.1 D.66028 Ape , 14— IOZ(e ZD (1©26LJO Fins P '.AR 69441 ovAc__ Isaac Conlen 33 3 zo R'j H Ro16 3. From: BILL HAZELETT<bhazelett©hotmail.com> Sent: Monday, June 02, 2014 10:31 AM To: Isaac Conlen Subject: Bill Hazelett/Forest Park office building Tree Removal Attachments: 1c0ef763b50d50d7dd141030ea3d3216.jpg; 2f50cae594f7ac3f6fd60143d60630be.jpg; 5a171f6db20fd33bda63293f6be2126d.jpg; 39acfc4288692f1c67d643d58ce1baec.jpg; 909f53d08ec51212404e9e8c77c3e8da.jpg; 5426fc125c2f632fb40b8bc20bcbdcc3.jpg; 43149ea70a4f7b206982dc50ce719598.jpg; 349908467149d8089f6bf9c5a8aa9ac6.jpg; 407059147558c99e12005ece6fccc4f9.jpg; cd49785906a07f5e03ce57b62f772746.jpg; d279cd901bd6c942891a01604fc0fabf.jpg; e504269a4b41e652424e8a8e3e8a0707.jpg; f81fa9e9b0b6b67d960ac05744677425.jpg; IMG_20140529_145829_897.jpg; IMG_20140529 _145835_142.jpg; IMG_20140529_145943_238.jpg; IMG_20140529_145947_557.jpg; IMG_ 20140529_145958_863.jpg; IMG_20140529_150053_107.jpg; IMG_20140529_150146_ 177.jpg; IMG_20140529_150208_202.jpg; IMG_20140529_150239_896.jpg; IMG_20140529_ 150917_370.jpg Hi Isaac, Janet suggested I email you with a request for permission to remove about 15 Douglas Fir trees from my property: Forest park Office Building, 33320 9th Ave. S, Federal Way. I propose that we remove 5 big firs along 9th avenue, which would allow the flowering ornamental trees and other plants to grow as intended.These firs along this section have just grown too big.There are also many others around the property that are causing damage to the parking lot, and are too close to the building. We will be leaving all ornamental trees and plantings and many, many firs. I have attached some pictures so you can see how overgrown some of these trees have become. If you would like to meet at the property and walk the lot, I would be happy to meet there and even mark out the specific trees if you like. Thanks, Bill Hazelett Manager Hazelett Family LLC III 253-740-0100 RECEIVED JUN062014 CITY OF FEDERAL WAY i CDS