18-104287 RESUBMITTED
DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES
Federal Way,WA 98003-6325
CITY OF 110111%ftwo/ CRY OF FEDERAL WAY 253-835-2607;Fax 253-835-2609
Federal VVaYcOMMUNV DEVELOPMEr www.cityoffederalway.com
RESUBMITTAL INFORMATION
This completed form MUST accompany all resubmittals.
**Please note: Additional or revised plans or documents for an active project will not be accepted
unless accompanied by this completed form. Mailed resubmittals that do not include this form or that
do not contain the correct number of copies will be returned or discarded. You are encouraged to
submit all items in person and to contact the Permit Counter prior to submitting ifyou are not sure
about the number of copies required. **
ANY CHANGES TO DRAW/NGS MUST BE CLOUDED.
Project Number: g - ICIL l 2 g- 7 - 0 - -�
Project Name: k U 'r s T L gE .O wi-/
Project Address: 330 it 35-i,t,. Ave s
Project Contact: p u i S Phone: 2 5 3 - 8 3 - 9 ?
RESUBMITTED ITEMS:
#of Copies*' Detailed Description of Item
Rey ,/451 wI Yr fair hhq doe/4 .•> 5
**Always submit the same number of copies as required for your initial application.**
Resubmittal Requested by: �� LGv Letter Dated: / /
(Staff Member)
t;:,,A3OFFVE USE ONLYm,44,-.*KAt
RESUB#:• Distribution Date: By:
Dept/Div Name # Description
Building
X Planning to i I a
PW
Fire
Other
Bulletin#129—January 1,2011 Page 1 of 1 k:\Handouts\Resubmittal Information
RESUBMITTED
SEP 1 7 2018 September 17,2018
To: Leila Willoughby-Oakes CITY OF FEDERAL WAY
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Planning Division,City of Federal Way
From: Norman and Lois Kutscha
3302138`h Avenue South, Federal Way,WA 98001
Phone: 253-835-9781; Email: kutscha@comcast.net
Subject: Re: Shoreline/Wetland Buffer Tree Removal(File 18-104287-00-AD)
Leila:
Thank you for your email on Friday,September 14,2018. Here are our responses.
1. Norman P. Kutscha's Forestry Qualifications(Attachment 1).
2. Site plans showing the location of tree to be removed by chainsaw are shown in Attachments 2
and 3. The tree is about 65 feet from the edge of North Lake and about 13 feet from the
northwest corner of our house at 33021 38th Avenue South. It is a western hemlock(Tsuga
heterophylla),with a diameter-at-breast height(DBH)of 32 inches.
3. The base of the tree is distorted(Figure 1) indicating the tree was probably pushed over in a
northeasterly direction by a windstorm many years ago. The tree was probably injured in its
base in the form of wind cracks and possibly a certain amount of ensuing decay. The neighbor
to the north just had a large tree cut which contained wind cracks which prevented the logs
from being sold for lumber. The entire trunk of this tree has a vertical curvature,suggesting that
after being pushed over by the wind,the tree tried to straighten itself out by formation of
compression wood on the underside of the leaning tree.Compression wood is weaker than
normal wood.
The entire trunk is also definitely leaning in a northeasterly direction (Figure 2),toward our
neighbor's house at 33017 38'Avenue South. The prevailing winds off North Lake are in a
northeasterly direction.
Because of the distortion in the base of the tree,which may contain wind cracks or even decay,
and its current leaning position,we are concerned with the possibility of the tree falling on our
neighbor's house. Our neighbors are concerned as well (Attachment 4). In 2015(12/19/15)a
very large Douglas-fir tree on the vacant lot to our south with Douglas-fir root rot blew over in a
windstorm,fell across the entire width of our lot,breaking an underground water pipe,and
extended onto our neighbor's lot(33017 38th Avenue S)to the north.
We,and our neighbor, highly recommend that this tree be removed,including the stump and
roots because large roots are currently exposed on the surface of the ground. The tree removal
site will be landscaped to match the surrounding lawn.
4. We have recently planted the following trees on our property:
Tree Height Diameter
Bristlecone pine 9 feet
Eucalyptus 1%inches
Flowering plum 3'inches
Smoke tree 3''A inches
Chinese fir 7 feet
Palm 6 inches
Banana 3 inches
If this is not sufficient for meeting the requirement of planting a replacement tree,we will plant
a Sitka spruce in the location shown in Attachment 3.
920.1- ... f). 9e.,, ,,,,„, yeaS gaicAA,
Norman Kutscha Lois Kutscha
Attachment 1: PERSONAL QUALIFICATIONS
Norman P. Kutscha
1. Bachelor of Science Degree,cum laud(1959)
Wood Science and Technology, New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University,
Syracuse, NY
Specialized Training In:
Tree growth and physiology
Tree pathology and wood deterioration my microorganisms
Forest ecology Timber mechanics
2. Master of Science Degree(1961)
Forestry, University of Wisconsin, Madison,WI
Specialized Training In:
Microscopic analysis of wood, including wood decay by wood decay fungi
3. Ph. D. Degree(1967)
Wood Science and Technology, New York State College of Forestry at Syracuse University,
Syracuse, NY
Thesis: Cell wall development in normal and compression wood of balsam fir,Abies
balsamea(L.) Mill.
Specialized Training In:
Light and electron microscopic analysis of wood
4. Teaching and Research (1967-1977)
Assistant Professor,School of Forest Resources, New York State College of Forestry at
Syracuse University,Syracuse, NY(1967-1968)
Associate Professor,School of Forest Resources, University of Maine,Orono, ME(1968-
1977)
5. Research and Development(1977-2003)
Microstructure and Wood Science Unit,Weyerhaeuser Company, Federal Way,WA
'' ' ' .---• .",........
1 • LI-- -
...
t 611P1M.:,... .- •- ;---,;:..4..';.=.;--.;;;;S.....--i•-ii,-;.-------z-7-7, E.ii", .-,...
...
r.".
...-_
rit, 4
i! .••••.--..•
...-
• :7..„ if..--:' ......
.._. .
_:---..
-.,... ._
-;--- -,-.-.-
. ..,
_ -7---
"t7r1,- •^7---
r--1-
_.,...
.:C cf".•
I.--7- -:----
cr
--
_.-.
.,-..
; I. .
---
--,
---:
-_-
___
"r71---
_-_-.
---
---:, '---
--.----
a) .,...-.-.
. .
-:— _.---
.._
_ -
- .
._.
.-..
._ .
. ,filike
se-t-i7 AUE-NQE soLaH
...... ... inspil.90,.
4
1
I
iP.7 ••••••" .4......„6„„,---=,_-,,,_,---- _-- ....
— _
--- t
_ .-
.
• _ • • _
— _• -r-.i- -,:-.4-
---
• .- ..
It kg
l---• "'-i-
-7---
.:' •.. -..'''•
-,i- ---
--_
._..
.-.
. __.
.-
-ai.221:121r =Mr Ilicaff.-- magairvatur.= m =10=10r a ' 7--
-
.. . ...
em."*.".." 1".°".."1.". .. ...4"."1"*".""6"...".."1.1 """m"..... -11:mb........H11214.-' r------•-' 0 -1211:3C-1:422r
Attachment 2: Location of tree to be removed.
•paTueId aq of aaal pue panoWaa aq ol aai jo uoi}e3o1 :E luawtpei2y
A IV t •£
' _ ' , ,
i
V
3! x g
' 6b lamf,":64
✓ x " \ a
LL1:ti-43V a\wa ,
Qy -,,,,,,viti,
mama
. ..'4t. ' -4.41k4'.,41,*'-'16:4
LTU£ .ir
t�.
1111
t1te
.10 3
:. ..,,, ,..,,_,,..
% , .
n
Viz,
iiiilL
si,'
1 `I
5 z a r ? a ' •�*L? t
.ti F � 2'E t ,fyyrt. 1
l• i <. tiIlt.
p_ --
•
t :-.4-,foili-_ , 4 '''f. .-ik,-.. .4.04,- - . = .".--,;:-;.,, --f" :i.„, .
J'dric V r it fir--a
t r• q:. F ice. .ice
211
.40%.-144
Figure 1: Distortion/bulge at base of hemlock tree (note right side of tree) at 33021 38th Avenue
S, Federal Way. Tree was probably partially pushed over by a northeasterly direction wind many
years earlier. The wood in the base of the tree probably sustained wind cracks and possibly a
certain amount of ensuing decay.
T_
3
cat_
w. f
cG
1
Figure 2: Lean of hemlock tree(red tape) located 13 feet from the northwest corner of house at
33021 38th Avenue S. Tree is leaning in a northeasterly direction,toward the neighbor's house
at 33017 38th Avenue S. The prevailing winds off North Lake are in a northeasterly direction.
(finity Connect Printout https://connect.xti ' om/appsuite/v=7.8.4-27.20180622.055119/pr...
K&n Clifton<Idincliftonawfmilsoistkcont> 9/15/2018 6:59 PM
T3 Norm and Las Kutscha<lautscha@comcast net>
Hello Norm and Lois,
We are sending this email to express our concern over the tree in your yard between our homes. Your tree is
approximately 70,or so,feet from the water line near your deck surrounded by ivy. The tree appears to be in poor health
and is leaning toward our home. Scott and I are very concerned that if it is not removed before winter a strong wind
storm may push it over onto our roof.
Although it may be costly to remove the tree it may be less costly in the long run to remove it now before damage is done
to either of our homes.
I appreciate your consideration in this matter.
Regards,
Kim Clifton&Scott Dugaw
Kim Clifton
Broker/Property Manager
Windermere Property Management
13106 SE 240th St Suite 200
Kent,WA 98031
206-909-5869
kimclifton@wwnsouth.com
kimclifton.withwre.com
Attachment 4: Statement from next-door neighbor at 33017 38th Avenue South.
of 1 9/15/2018,8:42 PM
1�4)[antu n5 P
,) 'RECEIVED
REQUEST FO__ADMINISTRATIVE DECISION
r CIT$OF �„1 DEPARTMENT OF COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
Federal Way SEP 13 2018 33325 8t Avenue South
Federal Way,WA 98003-6325
CITY OF FEDERAL WAY 253-835-2607;Fax 253-835-2609
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT www.citvoffederalway.com
FILE NUMBER I ! -± 0 7 2 q -7 -A )Date q(I 3 l 1
Applicant
NAME PRIMARY PHONE
Norrnav► ctnd Lois KArseh& 25 3 -S 35-9 7&
BUSINESS/ORGANIZATION ALTERNATE PHONE
MAILING ADDRESS E-MAIL,
3302( 39 "1 4uevlc4e, SoutO rtasefrtai)eov►'1exte:net
CITY STATE ZIP FAX
Fede.r-ett wa.1 g 1-Q W 4 9800(
Property Address/Location lam 2 e7i -. -
Description of Request Re-0% toV Gi1 of poSS i b(e ctcu i ev-o t.ts --tr-e.e.,
List/Describe Attachments Offq i' ene.tift 1 ' I creport'o✓! 0'6- letuCst l b Cr/(Tvee.
a1'661,v1ee'? Z . Dfagrawl of Tie,
C ffQcmvvlevir a : Local-roil of -Free-,
For Staff Use
❑ Code Interpretation/Clarification - No Fee
❑ Critical Areas Letter/Analysis/Peer Review - No Fee(Actual Cost if Applicable)
❑ Request for Extension(Land Use/Plat Approval) - Check Current Fee Schedule
❑ Revisions to Approved Permit - Check Current Fee Schedule
❑ Tree Removal - No Fee
❑ ' g Compliance Lette((r/�'�� - Check Current Fee S hedule
izi/1(/±-ii c (7
Bulletin#079-January 4,2016 Page 1 of 1 k:�Handouts\Request f dmmistrahve Decision
ATTACHMENT 1: DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST TO FELL TREE
To: Planning Division,City of Federal Way
From: Norman and Lois Kutscha
1. We need to cut down a 32-inch diameter-at-breast height hemlock tree which is about 65 feet
from the edge of North Lake and about 13 feet from the corner of our house. The base of the
tree is enlarged and distorted. The tree is leaning towards our neighbor's house to the north.
We are afraid it might blow over onto their house. Also,some of its major roots are exposed on
the surface of our neighbor's lawn.
2. We are concerned about this tree being too close to our house as well as the possibility of the
tree falling on our or the neighbor's house. In 2015 (12/19/15)a very large tree on the vacant
lot to the south blew over in a windstorm,fell across the entire width of our lawn and broke an
underground water pipe.
3. We will still have eight very large evergreen trees and ten smaller deciduous and evergreen
trees on our property.
4. We request permission to cut and remove the hemlock tree for safety reasons as soon as
possible.
Leila Willoughby-Oakes
From: Leila Willoughby-Oakes
Sent: Friday, September 14, 2018 12:22 PM
To: 'kutscha@comcast.net'
Subject: Shoreline/Wetland Buffer Tree Removal (File 18-104287-00-AD)
Hi Lois,
Thank you for submittal. In an effort to expedite you review process could you email me some photos as as well as a
signed letter from a forester or a certified arborist stating that indeed the tree is hazardous?You mentioned your
husband is an arborist or forester?
FWRC 19.145.130(7)which states:
"Vegetation maintenance such as hazard tree removal, removal of nuisance vegetation,and limited pruning for view
preservation.The applicant shall submit a vegetation maintenance plan prepared by a certified arborist or registered landscape
architect that includes the following:
(a)A site plan at appropriate scale denoting the extent of the proposed vegetation maintenance activity;X
(b)Tree and vegetation location,type,and caliper of each tree within the area subject to the proposed X vegetation
maintenance activity;
(c)Identification of methods of vegetation maintenance(limited to hand tools and hand powered tools);and X
(d)Proposed tree and/or vegetation replacement shown on the site plan.X
Unfortunately, I was just routed your application today.
Kind regards,
Leila
L.Willoughby-Oakes
Associate Planner
cn.w
Federal Way
33325 8`"Avenue South
Federal Way,WA 98003-6325
Phone:253/835-2644 Fax: 253/835-2609
www.cityoffederalway.com
Land Use Applications:http://www.cityoffederalway.com/index.aspx?nit=481
Planner on Duty:253-835-2655 I Plnelnauiry@cityoffederalway.com
1
.---)
CNi
4.,..4 .........
~r-
LL-
C) (Z) -
--
c.-.7.-
1-
cz) ccrr,cceCz),sfv,z-
77(01
.
oCc--c„,---v---
t-3)))
c_ _..-.-_c.2-_-1))-
,r0 • ccL„._-:--.7,o
c„"cc.:-
•--
o(ce (E D Cri
_, .--
-v-_1\---)-1'. ..9.
(-NJ
...C)
Ce)
LC)
re)
Ell
1..r) =
c:=)
..r,
cp
C )
Co cp
co
ci
co
0--)
cz,
)
e44 *Ct.
.4t1.
4Z:).
,
0, 0
cs,
,1)
IX
i-,
0
I
i
(T.
It--
CT'
cy
d
(z=,
ce)
P
co')
. .
_ -
NCD ..k---
-a-- ----•
Nr.--
1----c.---71.
cZ)
cp <z> f=)
(ID
ti
CI,
er, .ezr ItZt
:"Il •r71- -..- c i " ZI-
-.. —
L.C)
(7
I---1
Cr) CO
"It"-.
C)
kl)
(11.1
1 ,--
4 1 e I
(... ,s .._:.
ZZ
t-
0 1 tli
Cv)
cn
(e)
-
-z-1--
_ awl ow iii micir Imimr Immir:vacza-=1=sr-ma4r--:'it
t Ni rig
a. ,....
, n
A i -'H/, i 1 r 3:-::g I c :• ::5- c it
cn 3 s go
f 1 year
'
Wellhead
o
N
a
0
o
M ^
CO
+► "
i.
› ••,„•44 - , :1-0,-.•
RT 1.! If
0.1 . ,ir ., .
a ,*y"'.g.ipp
C
a.
l
t ,.,.....
O.
3,,
{{as i i i.S sy
a 4;x ,
n
o -
m
.. E
ct
N
In
V , w,,,. n* ` .,.
y Y 4 ♦j
,.alk. ,* ..-
f M
�Y/y
w Ic O r r y rr , i�fb' ` k .
&I' --•"� � �c�' �73^ '
14. r-';'. .,.,',..-. lab • '. ' .' - M4•4"
r s #` 'k ,
743
a
0
a I 9A 'I •• •
51 a 60
w o ,�
i
Wco
,
a
a � .8 >;
3
N i o
47)
U U '71)^ � .$_ Q aQQU
(Sy N 3 -o a c co Q.
co
to N' ® C X
I
N
0.0
.5 c
a4 ^
tin
16,
CITY OF
33325 8th Avenue South
�.. Federal Way Federal Way,WA 98003-6325
(253)835-7000
Centered on Opportunity wwwcityoffederalway.com
Jim Ferrell, Mayor
September 17,2018
Lois Kutscha Emailed: kutscha@comcast.net
33021 38th Avenue South
Federal Way, WA 98001
RE: File#18-104287-00-AD; TREE REMOVAL REQUEST
Kutscha,33021 38th Avenue South,Federal Way
Dear Ms. Kutscha:
The city is in receipt of your September 13, 2018, request to remove one mature hemlock tree with a 32-
inch DBH located 65 feet from the edge of North Lake. The subject property is located in shoreline
jurisdiction on the eastern side of the lake. Lake Fringe wetlands are depicted on the city's critical areas
inventory and mapping within 200 feet of the subject property.
FINDINGS&ANALYSIS
Pursuant to the Department of Ecology Technical Memorandum dated October 10, 2016, wetlands exist
below the ordinary high water mark' of North Lake due to the presence of aquatic bed vegetation(even if
removed by residents), hydrology and hydric soils.This has important implications for future land uses
and in this case land disturbances, including vegetation maintenance and removal along the lake shore.
The Department of Ecology determined that North Lake's lake fringe wetland is rated as a Category II
wetland with a standard buffer of 100 feet pursuant to FWRC 15.10.250.
As the exact location of North Lake's upland wetland buffer is variable, without conducting a wetland
delineation report prepared by a biologist,the applicant agrees to mitigate any said critical area impacts
by planting native vegetation and replacement tree(s). The submitted vegetation maintenance plan appears
to retain the minimum 13 tree units required by FWRC 19.120.130. Furthermore, the applicant's arborist
deems the hemlock a hazard tree as it is 13 feet from the residence.
APPROVAL&CONDITIONS
The Community Development Department hereby approves your request subject to the conditions below.
1. No activity shall occur within 50 feet of the lake ordinary high water mark.
2. Replace the existing tree located within the wetland buffer with a similar species,size and caliper.
3. If applicable, plant additional ground vegetation in disturbed areas to address any soil erosion.
4. Please schedule a final planning inspection.
"Ordinary high water mark(OHWM)"means the mark on all lakes,streams,and tidal waters that will be found by examining
the beds and banks and ascertaining where the presence and action of waters are so common and usual and so long continued in
all ordinary years as to mark upon the soil a character distinct from that of the abutting upland,in respect to vegetation,as that
condition existed on June 1, 1971,as it may naturally change thereafter,or as it may change thereafter in accordance with permits
issued by a local government or the Department of Ecology. In any area where the ordinary high water mark cannot be found,the
ordinary high water mark adjoining salt water shall be the line of mean higher high tide and the ordinary high water mark
adjoining fresh water shall be the line of mean high water.
Ms.Kutscha
September17,2018
Page 2
CLOSING
Should you have questions regarding this letter, please contact me at 253-835-2644 of leila.willoughby-
oakes@cityoffederalway.com
Sincerely,
Ca_Zej
Leila Willoughby-Oakes
Associate Planner
enc: Approved Tree/Vegetation Maintenance Plan
c: Greg Kirk,Code Compliance Officer,emailed
18-104287-00-AD Doc.I .78270