HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2018-01-25 Item 4 - TMC 18.54 Tree Regulations Update - Attachment G: Email from Acting Public Works Director Robin TischmakCarol Lumb
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Robin Tischmak
Thursday, December 28, 2017 4:18 PM
Carol Lumb
Tree Regulation Comments
Draft Tree Regulations - PW Comments.docx
Attached are comments and concerns that PW is requesting for consideration and inclusion in the final regulations. Let
me know if you have any questions.
Robin Tischmak
City Engineer
6300 Southcenter Boulevard, Suite 100
Tukwila, WA 98188
206-431-2455
The City of opportunity, the community of choice.
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Attachment G
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Robin's Comments Regarding Proposed Landscaping Regulations
• General discussion of Public Works approach to maintenance of landscaping/trees in the
public rights-of-way.
New capital improvement projects (both public and private) continue to install new landscaping and
street trees within the public rights-of-way for various beneficial reasons. Staffing that maintains
said vegetation has not increased along with this increased workload. Therefore, PW staff generally
maintains newly installed landscaping during the establishment period. These areas often include
irrigation systems to avoid plant mortality during the dry, hot summer months. Landscaping
installed by private development is generally maintained by the private entity for a prescribed
establishment period. After landscaping and street trees are established, staff relies on some level
of support from abutting property owners as maintenance of all vegetation in the public rights-of-
way by City staff is not possible. The expected level of support is generally as outlined in the TMC.
There are varying levels of support from private property owners, but City staff generally takes
responsibility for issues that appear to extend beyond the normal capacity of property owners.
While this may seem ambiguous, the City accepts maintenance help from proactive property
owners, but generally accepts responsibility for maintenance issues in the right-of-way if public
infrastructure is at risk or if an issue is left unattended. Rarely, if ever, has the City enforced a
maintenance provision of the TMC on a property owner for vegetation issues within the right-of-
way.
• Public Works has had the opportunity to review the Draft Tree Regulations and request the
following revisions to reduce or eliminate conflicts with TMC Chapter 11.20
18.54.030 Tree Permit Required
Revise C.3. to include: "routine maintenance within rights-of-way related to Interference, Sight
Distance, Emergencies or Topping as codified in Chapter 11.20 of the TMC."
Add an exemption for the removal of trees in the right-of-way related to a capital project that has a
landscaping component that includes trees, where there is adequate room in the right-of-way.
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