Laserfiche WebLink
City of Tukwila My WebLink |HelpSearch Tips |About |Sign Out
<br />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 /> <br /> <br /> <br />For non-single-family residential properties, the landscaping code applies, rather than the tree <br />regulations. Typically addressed through the development process. <br /> <br /> <br />Property owners are not required to use a contractor – they can take out trees themselves if <br />desired; <br /> <br /> <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 />Commissioner Hansen <br /> said do not add a lot of requirements and put too <br />for tree removal. <br />many burdens on the citizens when removing trees. <br /> <br /> <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 /> <br /> <br />Education of property owners on proper tree pruning techniques will be important – there are <br />videos on the City’s web site on this, staff will prepare other materials. <br /> <br /> <br />Healthy trees can be removed – a tree permit would not be denied because a tree is healthy. <br /> <br />For the record, a second letter from Greg and Vanessa Zaputil, 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 being 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 plan – hiring 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 /> <br />Commissioner Strander <br /> asked if a permit is needed to remove a volunteer tree? <br /> <br />Staff: <br /> 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 – but if it is larger, then will count towards the up to four trees that can be <br />removed in a 36-month period. <br /> <br />Does the City follow up to see if a tree was removed? <br /> <br />Staff: <br /> 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 /> <br />Damaged trees from natural events (storms etc.) do not require a tree permit? <br /> <br />Staff: <br /> These trees are exempt. <br />Page 6 of 9 <br /> <br /> <br />