Chapter 19.120 – Clearing, Grading, and Tree and Vegetation Retention
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October 29, 2020 Stan Afichuk 29328 1st Ave S Federal Way, WA 98003 206-708-0065 Via email: [email protected] Re: Afichuk, Tree Inventory Report The Watershed Company Reference Number: 191123 Dear Stan: On July 1, 2020, ISA Certified Arborist® Roen Hohlfeld visited the undeveloped property (Parcel #7202500080) located at 1XX S 293rd Street in Federal Way, Washington 98001 to inventory existing trees on the property. This report summarizes the findings of the study and details applicable regulations. The following documents are enclosed: Tree Inventory Table Off-Parcel Tree Inventory Table Tree Retention Plan Findings Summary A total of 37 significant trees were inventoried on the subject property, with an additional 23 non-significant trees tallied on-site, totaling 72.5 tree credits. Twenty-one off-parcel significant trees were included in the inventory. Federal Way Revised Code (FWRC) requires 11 tree units to meet density requirements on this 0.43-acre parcel. Study Area The subject property totals approXimately 0.43 acres in size and is currently undeveloped. The site is slopes steeply down to the north, with a ravine and small stream extending north from the southeast area of the parcel. The site is generally forested with native deciduous trees; a disturbed area is located in the southwest portion of the property. 750 Sixth Street South | Kirkland, WA 98033 P 425.822.5242 | f 425.827.8136 | watershedco.com Tree Inventory Report Afichuk Project October 2020 Page 2 Proposed Project The subject property is proposed to be developed with a single-family residence, associated site access and landscape improvements. To achieve this, trees located in proXimity to the proposed development may be impacted. Elements of proposed improvements that may impact trees include clearing, grading, trenching for utilities, and altered environmental factors on-site including wind direction, sun eXposure, and decreased water infiltration from impervious surfaces. Methods The study area for the tree inventory includes parcel #7202500080 and significant trees rooted within approXimately 50 feet of the parcel boundary. Per Federal Way Revised Code, a significant tree is ‘any self-supporting perennial woody plant characterized by one main stem or trunk of at least siX inches in diameter measured four and one-half feet above ground, or a multi-stemmed trunk system with a definite crown, maturing at a height of a least 20 feet above ground level’ (FWRC 19.05.200). Inventory methods were developed to meet the City of Federal Way tree retention requirements. A round one-and-one-quarter inch-wide, numbered aluminum tag was affiXed to the side of the trunk of significant trees presumed to be located on-site (tree tag #1301-1340). Off-site trees were not tagged nor measured; rather physical attributes were estimated from the subject property. The attributes collected during the field survey are described in Table 1, below. The database (Tree Inventory Table) contains the data collected for each tree inventoried. General attributes documented for all inventoried trees include the unique identification number and name of plant species. Physical attributes include number of stems, diameter at breast height (DBH), height, canopy radius, condition, and assessment notes. Non-significant trees (one- to siX-inches DBH) located within the driplines of significant trees also were tallied during the assessment of significant trees. Tree Inventory Report Afichuk Project October 2020 Page 3 Table 1. Attributes recorded for all inventoried vegetation and that are presented in the spreadsheet database. Attribute Description of Attribute Unique number assigned to an assessed tree. This number corresponds to the tag ID NUMBER number in the field. SCIENTIFIC NAME Formal scientific name conforming to the International Code of Nomenclature. COMMON NAME Name that is based on normal or common language of the Pacific Northwest. STEMS Number of trunks or shoots that contribute significantly to the canopy. DBH Diameter at Breast Height; or 4.5 feet from the ground surface. Approximate distance from the ground surface at the trunk to the highest point of HEIGHT the subject tree as visually estimated. Measurement from the stem to the limits of the drip line, or end of branches. CANOPY RADIUS Critical root zone. Health rating of an assessed tree using a 5-tier system as folloWs: 1 – Excellent: No apparent problems With the tree. Form is exemplary for the species. 2 – Good: FeW minor defects such as crossed branches, minor foliage die-back, minor trunk damage, or unbalance canopy. 3 – Fair: Several minor problems exist. CONDITION 4 – Poor: Major defects visible such as significant trunk decay, codominant leaders With included bark, significant canopy die-back, major cracks in a stem or major limbs, and/or other structural problems. Topped trees are generally considered poor. 5 – Dying: Tree is in a state of significant decline. 6 – Dead: Tree is dead. In general, tree diameter was measured at four feet above the ground surface (diameter at breast height, or “DBH”) using a graduated metal logger’s DBH tape. Trees with multiple trunks arising from the ground were measured using methodology from Guide for Plant Appraisal (Gooding, et al. 2000). The cross-sectional areas of stems contributing to the canopy were summed and used to generate a singular combined DBH for the tree. The singular DBH number allows for comparison to other single-stemmed trees and for more accurate permitting and tree retention calculations. Methods for measuring diameter of trees with major leans, on steep slopes, and with multiple trunks or stems generally followed those outlined in the Guide for Plant Appraisal (Gooding, et Tree Inventory Report Afichuk Project October 2020 Page 4 al. 2000). Visual estimates of trunk diameter were used where direct access to the tree was not allowed or not feasible. Tree data and geospatial locations were collected in the field using an iPad with ArcGIS Collector application. Data collected in the field are summarized in the Tree Inventory Sketch and Tree Inventory Table, attached. Findings Tree Inventory Results A total of 37 significant trees are located on the subject parcel. 23 non-significant trees (one to siX inches in diameter) were tallied on-site. A total of 21 off-site trees were assessed from the parcel boundary. Significant tree species on the subject parcel were limited to Acer macrophyllum (bigleaf maple), Alnus rubra (red alder), and Tsuga heterophylla (western hemlock), all native to the Pacific northwest. The most common tree species on the subject parcel is red alder, followed by bigleaf maple with 23 and 11 individuals, respectively. Overall, the average DBH of significant trees located on the parcel is 16.7-inches, with 13 trees measuring greater than 18-inches DBH. The largest tree is a bigleaf maple (#1328) with a DBH of 55.1 inches. Fourteen trees, or 38-percent of the total, were given a health rating of 4 (poor) or worse; many of these trees have been previously topped. A summary of attributes for significant tree species identified on-site is provided in Table 2 below. Table 2. Summary of tree species and DBH size. Total Average DBH Largest DBH Tree Name Inventoried (In.) (In.) Acer macrophyllum (Bigleaf maple) 11 20.7 55.1 Alnus rubra (red alder) 23 14.1 23.6 Tsuga heterophylla (Western hemlock) 3 21.7 24.6 TOTAL 37 16.7 55.1 The twenty-one off-parcel significant trees included in the inventory consist of the same species as those rooted within the subject parcel. The average DBH of these trees is approXimately 19- inches. 10 trees were estimated to have a DBH greater than 18-inches. The three largest trees, all Tree Inventory Report Afichuk Project October 2020 Page 5 bigleaf maples, were each estimated to have a DBH of 36 inches. Five trees were given a health rating of 4 (poor) or worse. Tree Retention and Removal With the proposed site plan (provided by Urban Design Group, May 22, 2020) trees located in proXimity to the development area will be impacted to varying degrees. Table 3 summarizes trees that are anticipated to be impacted by the proposed development as a result of disturbance with the critical root zone (CRZ), defined as 12 inches radius for every one inch of tree diameter measured at four and one-half feet above ground. Table 3. Tree Impact and Removal Summary. Combined Height Radius Tree Proposed Tag # Tree Name Condition DBH (In) (Ft) (Ft) Units for Removal 1301 Alnus rubra 11.5 60 15 2 1.5 NO (Red Alder) 1302 Alnus rubra 10.8 NO 60 12 2 1.5 (Red Alder) 1303 Alnus rubra 13.6 NO 60 15 2 2.0 (Red Alder) 1305 Alnus rubra 9.8 NO 60 10 4 n/a (Red Alder) 1306 Alnus rubra 11.6 NO 60 15 3 1.5 (Red Alder) 1307 Alnus rubra 11.8 NO 65 15 2 1.5 (Red Alder) 1308 Alnus rubra 10.7 25 5 4 n/a YES (Red Alder) 1309 Alnus rubra 8.9 50 12 4 n/a YES (Red Alder) The proposed development area has been cited in a previously disturbed area in order to minimize impacts to significant trees. However, implementation of the site plan will require the removal of two trees, #1308 and #1309. Tree #1308 and #1308 are both red alders in poor (4) condition with DBHs of 10.7-inches and 8.9-inches, respectively. These trees will be directly impacted by construction of the single-family residence and related grading. Tree Inventory Report Afichuk Project October 2020 Page 6 Additionally, siX trees (#1301, 1302, 1303, 1305, 1306, and 1307) are eXpected to receive impacts to their critical root zones. These trees are all red alders with DBHs ranging from 9.8-inches to 13.6-inches.