HomeMy WebLinkAboutPlanning 2018-01-25 Item 4 - TMC 18.54 Tree Regulations Update - Attachment J: 1/10/18 Email from the ZaputilsCarol Lumb
From: G Zap <zzzapspeed@hotmail.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 10, 2018 8:17 PM
To: Carol Lumb
Subject: Re: Public Hearing on Revisions to Tree Regulations
Attachments: Tukwila Tree Code Proposal 1-10-18 Zaputil Letter.docx
Please find attached our comments to be added to the record for the 1/11/18 Tukwila Planning Commission
Meeting.
Sincerely,
Greg & Vanessa Zaputil
From: Carol Lumb <Carol.Lumb@TukwilaWA.gov>
Sent: Friday, January 5, 2018 9:56 AM
To: Andy Padvorac; bmarie2@earthlink.net; Dana Ramsey; Daryl Tapio; David Bayard; David Mutchler; Eli Brocker; Glen
Allen; Greg Allwine, AIA; Heather McLeland-Wiser; Heidi Narte; Hung van Pham; jeff.beckwith@pse.com; John Rucker;
Kathy Graff; Kelli Turner (greenrosel0@msn.com); Kerrt Kriner; 'Liliana Cardenas'; meayotte@comcast.net; Nathan
Elliott; Paula Williams; pslinder@comcast.net; Rev. Alien Mosley; Roger; Sunny Mulholland; Thelma Gustafson; Vanessa
Zaputil; Vicki Lockwood; Wayne Werle
Subject: Public Hearing on Revisions to Tree Regulations
Dear Interested Party,
Materials for the Tukwila Planning Commission's public hearing on proposed revisions to the City's tree
regulations and Zoning Code definitions have been posted on the City's web site
here: http://records.tukwilawa.gov/WebLink/l/fol/300177/Rowl. aspx.
The public hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. in the Tukwila City Council chambers, 6200 Southcenter Blvd.,
Tukwila, WA 98188. If you want to comment, but cannot attend the hearing, you may send comments to me
at the address below by 5:00 p.m., January 11, 2018.
Please let me know if you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Carol Lumb
Caroliumb, MCP, Senior Planner
Department of Community Development
City of Tukwila
6300 Southcenter Blvd., Suite 100
Tukwila, 1N.4 98188
206-431-3661
1
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Greg & Vanessa Zaputil
15171 52nd Ave. S. #5
Tukwila, 98188
(206) 242-9945
01/10/18
City of Tukwila
Planning Commission
6300 Southcenter Blvd.
Tukwila, WA 98188
After reviewing the 12/14/ 17 Planning Commission Work Session recording, staff did not accurately represent current
TMC code with respect to tree removal permit exemptions. TMC 18.54.050 is very clearly written.
This is a Major Change to TMC 18.54. Currently, under this chapter, Tukwila only_requires permits for tree removal in
sensitive areas. Non -sensitive areas are exempt. Under the new proposal all trees in Tukwila will be regulated.
Current Code and Tree Removal Permit (highlighted for emphasis):
1 .- Tempt Activr
:we exempt i'E`.!ff1
:• :t Tree Clearing f
1 Cfeattng at any vegetation UN a .J S tt e site o
which ming isi to ,accur is located in a sensitive area, sensitive
a buffer. al shoreline zone.
2_ On sites 'watt ein a 8§tasitilm swot,. of sen ive at ,
buffer, or sltoret,ne ;forte:
a mar$ a__; c• yap to 4 ' to,olfrant trees on s"
the I% tf.
cft
i r er i..... __
, I>1%` -
s::' ;?r5 and
f•
._., ! t t r::!,' acid easements
Ord. 1'758 §1 wart), 1995)
63
CITY OF TUKJULA
Department of Community Development
6300Solitficeci e]' IBoo:evay'c7; T!2 c0a, T:4 98:58
Telephone: (_'06 431-3670 FAX. 206) 431-366?
TREE REMOVAL
AND LANDSCAPE
AIODIFIC ATION
PERMIT
INFORMATION
Tukwtla's 'Tree Rezulations (TMC.' 1S. -1'i reguMtc the clear ng of trees :tnd 11Thierstcry vegetation w Cilvtronime ttatly sensitive
areas i:‘vctlands, cvatercourses. and steep slopes. including their buffers). The City's Sensitive Areas Regulations also regulate
vegetation removal within sensitive areas and their buffers. Generally. when significant (4 inches or snore in diameter trees
are removed from sensitive areas, tree replacement Ia required. This permit should be used Ior tree removal in sen itive areas,
when it sloes not involve significant vegetation clearing, i.e., when one or tWo trees are being removed. Trees must be
replaced according to the replacement ratios established in die Tree Regulations (ansa presented below). Tree; to be removed
must be identified as to species and diameter at 4 feet above the ground (Ciba). A plan must be submitted detailing the number
of replacement trees recluoedd_ the proposed speeics and the proposed locations. Removal of trees thatt arc hazardous do not
require a tree removal permit_ but the propc: tv owner 1111181 be able to document that the tree is hazardous ` (dare hazard is not
otic Mils. :a risk assessment by a certified tree risk assessor- niay be required. and it in a wetland or water OOilrse or their buffer.
replanting is required Replacement tress 111 wetlands. watercourses and their buffers must be :species native to the Pit_<_et
`inundlr.=ion and appropriate for t-11. site (taking_ into account shade, moisture. and space requirements.
New Impacts of concern:
1. Single family home property owners will now be required to buy a permit for all trees larger than 8" in both
sensitive areas and non -sensitive areas. –Typically trees being removed fall into this size category.
2. All non single family home property owners will have to buy permits and arborist reports for all tree removal
greater than 4"– in both sensitive areas and non -sensitive areas. This has a regressive impact on small
businesses.
Further Concerns/Questions (Under proposal)
1. 18.54.040 (B) (5)— identify contractor – what if property owner wants to remove themselves? (Example
removing a 4"tree- rights and liability should be that of the property owner.)
2. 18.54.040 (B) Table A- removal of a tree greater than 8" for a single family home requires a Permit, but does not
require an arborist report. However, Tree Removal Permit application itself is burdensome and will most likely
require a landscape architect, (Site Plan required, Landscape Plan required, and specifies a professional
(arborist) recommendation/ report) – 18.54.040 (A) 1,2&3
3. No provision or accommodation based on lot size. Small, zero lot line, single family home property can remove
up to 4 trees, and the same for a Targe 1 acre single family home property- Not equitable.
4. 18.54.160 (C) (1) Tree Maintenance and Pruning "...all pruning must be done in accordance with ...ANSI 300- A
specification, as it now reads and as it is hereafter amended..."- Likelihood of compliance for homeowners and
small businesses/ small landscapers will be very low.
5. Can a tree removal permit application be denied for a healthy tree that an owner simply wants removed? Not a
required landscape plan tree, but for example, a property owner wanting to change personal or business
preferences for landscape, or wants a less nuisance tree- pitch over driveways, allergic to pollen, etc.
We respectfully request that the above concerns be mitigated and any new regulations be implemented for new
development and all existing developed properties grandfathered, with an educational focus.
Greg & Vanessa Zaputil
Party of Record
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