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Tree regulations are on the way

November 4, 2008

By Jon Savelle

Poplar trees on Northwest Gilman Boulevard at Front Street North are removed Oct. 28 in response to their ill health and safety concerns about dead and falling limbs. Ginkgo trees that live 100 years, and Issaquah’s centennial tree, Eddie’s White Wonder dogwoods, which live more than 50 years, will replace the 22 trees that were at the end of their typical 35-year lifespan. Photo by Greg Farrar. Poplar trees on Northwest Gilman Boulevard at Front Street North are removed Oct. 28 in response to their ill health and safety concerns about dead and falling limbs. Ginkgo trees that live 100 years, and Issaquah’s centennial tree, Eddie’s White Wonder dogwoods, which live more than 50 years, will replace the 22 trees that were at the end of their typical 35-year lifespan. Photo by Greg Farrar.

After 16 months of work by city planners and concerned citizens, proposed new regulations to protect trees are ready for action by the City Council.

 They will affect the owners of commercial, multifamily and single-family properties throughout Issaquah, and are intended to maintain a tree canopy over at least 51 percent of the city. 

The most noteworthy part of the regulations is the provision for tracking removal of “significant” trees on single-family lots, said planning manager Trish Heinonen. A significant tree is defined as being at least 6 inches in diameter at 4 1/2 feet above the ground.

How, exactly, to accomplish that has been the subject of public meetings, City Council discussions and dozens of telephone calls, letters and e-mails to and from planners and citizens. 

“We had a huge public process for this,” Heinonen said. “The council knew that it was not going to be easy and it was not going to be short.” 

Now, after a final review and recommendation Dec. 2* by the Council Land Use Committee, the tree regulations will come before the full council Dec. 15* as Agenda Bill 5904. 

Drafted as amendments to the Land Use Code, the regulations: 

4Establish minimum densities of trees per lot;

4Establish the maximum number of trees that may be removed in one year or five years without a permit (based on lot size);

4Codify the review procedure for tree removal via a new tree removal form and a tree removal permit; 

4Spell out the criteria for removing hazardous trees;

4Establish tree retention criteria for new development; and

4Stipulate requirements for replacement tree quantities and locations. 

Under the proposed amendments, single-family properties must retain two trees per 5,000-square-foot lot. Four trees are required for every multifamily lot of the same size.

A key tool in the new regime is the tree removal application form, which asks prospective tree cutters for some basic information. This includes the size of the lot, the trees to be removed and whether or not any code restrictions apply to the property. 

If the council approves the code amendments, this form will be available on the city’s Web site. And if the number of trees proposed for cutting is within the allowed limit, simply filling out the form is all the city requires. There is no charge.

However, should the applicant wish to remove more than the allowed number of trees, or any landmark tree (defined as being at least 30 inches in diameter at 4 1/2 feet above the ground), a tree removal permit will be required. 

The permit will cost $240. It is up to the property owner to determine whether a permit is needed; if cutting occurs without a permit that is subsequently found to be necessary, the fee will be $480.

Of course, there are exceptions. No tree removal permit will be required if the tree is causing obvious physical damage to permanent structures, if it is blocking active solar devices or if it is part of a thinning program in a heavily wooded area. 

In some instances, neither a removal form nor a permit is required. Nonsignificant trees that are not otherwise protected may be taken out; so can trees in right-of-way easements or in association with mineral extraction. And in emergencies, any number of hazardous trees may be removed. 

Reach Reporter Jon Savelle at 392-6434, ext. 234, or jsavelle@isspress.com.

* This story contains corrected information.

Written by Jon Savelle · Filed Under Local News 

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