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Staff went over the comments and questions from Greg and Vanessa Zaputil, citizens, expressed in <br /> their comment letters, dated 1/10/18 and 1/24/18, and responded to questions from the Commission. <br /> Some of the questions have been addressed through questions asked by the Planning Commissioners <br /> and will not be repeated below. Responses are summarized below: <br /> • For non-single-family residential properties,the landscaping code applies,rather than the tree <br /> regulations. Typically addressed through the development process. <br /> • Property owners are not required to use a contractor—they can take out trees themselves if <br /> desired; <br /> • The information needed for a tree permit will depend on the complexity and extent of the <br /> proposed tree removal— staff works with an applicant to help address which criteria must be <br /> addressed and which can be skipped and typically a landscape architect would not be required <br /> for tree removal. Commissioner Hansen said do not add a lotf of requirements and put too <br /> many burdens on the citizens when removing trees. <br /> • The proposed regulations are not based on property size—this is for ease of administration and <br /> clarity of application for property owners. Other jurisdictions have used this approach,but staff <br /> felt it was not the best one for Tukwila. <br /> • Education of property owners on proper tree pruning,techntques will be important—there are <br /> videos on the City's web site on this, staff will prepare other materials. <br /> • Healthy trees can be removed—a tree permit would not,be denied because a tree is healthy. <br /> For the record, a second letter from Greg and Vanessa Z�putil,dated January 24, 2018,was submitted <br /> and requests cost estimates for a property owner for items they identify as being required. Some of this <br /> is based on a contractor bein-g hired—that person will determine how much it will cost to remove a <br /> certain sized tree. Same for an arborist''=,the fee charged is up to the arborist. Property owner is not <br /> being required to hire an arborist(except in the circumstances already identified). For site plans,we <br /> work with an applicant to develop the site plan­hiring a,landscape architect is not required. Tree <br /> replacement is based on the canopy lost,but City doesn't specify the type of tree to plant other than the <br /> canopy. <br /> COmm'Issioner Strander asked if a permit is needed to remove a volunteer tree? <br /> Staff: A volunteer tree, such as a ;cottonwood,that grows in your yard will probably be removed before <br /> it gets to be 6-inches in size-butif it is larger,then will count towards the up to four trees that can be <br /> removed in a 36-month period. <br /> Does the City follow up to see if a tree was removed? <br /> Staff: Typically,no, staff does not go out to see if a tree has been removed,unless the property owner <br /> was required to replant after removal or if there was concern about infrastructure around the tree to be <br /> removed. <br /> Damaged trees from natural events (storms etc.) do not require a tree permit? <br /> Staff: These trees are exempt. <br /> Page 6 of 9 <br /> 7 <br />