SAVE SHORELINE TREES AT SHORELINE FARMERS MARKET BEGINNING JUNE 4

With a new booth at the Shoreline Farmers Market, Save Shoreline Trees will be continuing a strong outreach to the Shoreline community every week from June 4 to October 1, 2022. Our goal is to increase awareness about the value of our tall tree canopy along with any other questions we can answer regarding tree protection through city code and homeowners rights and responsibilities.

Join us as a volunteer! If you love trees and are familiar with Save Shoreline Trees email Melody at info@saveshorelinetrees.com to volunteer for 2-hour time slots. Training and support provided - it’s going to be a fun time!

NEW TREE CODES IN SHORELINE WILL MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The headline in Shoreline Area News on April 5, 2022 said it all: “Shoreline City Council revises tree codes to better protect and preserve trees following two-year effort by citizens.” The article that followed appeared on the day the new tree codes went into effect. These new tree codes are now included in Shoreline Municipal Code (SMC).

Here is a brief summary:

• The new tree codes do not apply to properties zoned CB, NB, MB, MUR-70' or TC1-2-3 - approximately 20% of property in Shoreline. (See zoning map). All of the trees on these zones can be clear cut and no replacement trees are required.

• The new tree codes apply to properties zoned R-4 thru R-48, MUR-35', MUR-45' and TC-4 - approximately 80% of property in Shoreline.

• The penalties in SMC 20.50.300 H-5.b General Requirements apply to properties zoned R-8 thru R-48, MUR-35’, MUR-45’ and TC-4. In addition to civil penalties, if protected trees are removed, the developer/owner is fined $9,000 for significant trees (6” dbh* to 24” dbh) and $15,000 for trees 24” dbh and over. This new code also provides for a “stop work order” if trees or vegetation are altered, and a restoration plan is required.

• Permits are now required to remove significant trees 24” dbh and over, meaning more trees come into protection.

• Tree protection is improved on development sites, including the requirement of 6’ barriers of chain link or similar material, thus eliminating the flimsy orange plastic wraps. Also included are new codes about excavation and maintenance to ensure tree health.

  *dbh - diameter at breast height

What was not approved:

• A cap on private property removal of trees: Per current code 20.50.310 Exemptions from Permit, 3 trees can be removed every 7200 square feet, plus 1 tree can be removed each additional 7200 square feet, ad infinitum, every three years. This means large properties like the Seattle Golf Club can remove 939 trees every 3 years and Ballinger Commons can remove 468 trees every 3 years. However, these properties must now get permits for removal of significant trees 24" dbh and over.

• Public notification of removal of public street trees other than the 14-day notice.

What to expect: The new tree codes will have an impact on future development sites;  however, current projects already vested are not affected. 

What not to expect: With increased apartment and townhouse development in Shoreline, hundreds of trees will be cut down, including trees on the 7 zones where all of the trees can be clear cut. On the remaining zones, 25% of the trees must be retained. In addition, numerous trees will be removed for major corridor renovations along N 145th, N 175th, N 185th, the 148th St. non-motorized bridge, and for new sidewalk installations. The new tree codes are limited in protecting trees on these sites.

How were new tree codes accomplished? The Tree Preservation Code Team (TPCT)
prepared and submitted detailed “code amendment forms” for thirteen proposed tree-related code amendments to the city in November 2020, supported by detailed reasons and justification. City staff reviewed the proposed tree codes for 10 months and presented the proposed amendments to the Planning Commission on October 7, 2021 followed by 4 review meetings. The proposed tree codes progressed to the City Council for review on February 28, 2022. Council approved most of the tree codes by Ordinance 955 on March 21, 2022. Additional tree codes were approved by Ordinance 963 on March 28, 2022. For a copy of the 2022 new tree codes, email info@saveshorelinetrees.com.

The proposal for an Urban Forestry Advisory Panel, also submitted to the city in November 2020, has yet to come before the Council for discussion.

Recognition to the Tree Preservation Code Team who worked on these tree codes for 2 years: Melody Fosmore, John Hushagen, Barbara Johnstone, Kathy Kaye, Kathleen Russell, Susanne Tsoming and Claudia Turner. Public support of the proposed tree codes extended from October 2021 until March 28, 2022. We appreciate the many speakers who made public comments to the Planning Commission and City Council, and to all who emailed letters during this extensive process. The Tree Preservation Code Team, Save Shoreline Trees and tree supporters continue to be dedicated to the preservation and protection of Shoreline’s tall trees.  

SHORELINE’S NEW SIDEWALK PROGRAM

The New Sidewalk Program was approved by City of Shoreline voters in 2018 by a narrow vote of 52% to 48%, and is funded by a City sales tax. There are 12 specific sidewalk installations in this program. The first sidewalk project was installed along 1st Ave NE from NE 193rd to NE 195th St. The design and construction cost totaled $940,000 for this three-block, 11-foot wide sidewalk. 

TAKE THE SIDEWALK SURVEY FOR 20TH AVE NW TODAY!

5th Ave NE effort to save trees fails

Save Shoreline Trees, tree supporters and neighbors tried for 2 years to save the trees along 5th Ave NE from NE 175th to NE 182nd Ct. There were 17 trees in good and fair condition on the tree removal list including the 46” dbh and 36” dbh Western red cedars; 20” dbh and 17” Douglas firs. Concerns about the tall trees were conveyed to the City via the City survey and during the City Zoom webinar. Supporters emailed concerns to City staff and commented publicly to the City Council in 2021 and 2022 along with numerous emails from tree supporters on February 7, 2022, on February 28,2022, and again on March 21, 2022.  Letters appeared in the Shoreline Area News. On February 28, 2022, Council delayed the construction contract for further review.

One tree advocate proposed shifting the roadway design to the east to protect tree roots on the west side; tree experts suggested sonotube and pin-piling techniques but on March 21, 2022 at the City Council meeting the City Engineer said these options were not feasible [video at 55:38] and the Council unanimously approved the construction contract for the 5th Ave NE new sidewalk/street installation at a design and construction budget of $4,370,565. 

The City Engineering Development Manual requires a 14-day public notification of public street tree removal, but several of the trees along 5th Ave NE were inadvertently cut down early which prevented final retention evaluation by the arborist. The City acknowledged this error in a press release that appeared in Shoreline Area News and confirmed that contracts will be reviewed to prevent such an occurrence in the future. The remaining tall trees were cut down on April 29 and the sidewalk/street installation is under construction. Segments of the Western red cedars will be used for bank stabilization at Boeing Creek for the dam removal project.
Photos by Kathleen Russell.

DEVELOPER TO REMOVE 32 SIGNIFICANT TREES

Update on 16835 Fremont Ave N in Richmond Highlands: Two new homes are being built by Arcadia Homes and 32 significant tall trees will be cut down. Click here for the letter to the editor in Shoreline Area News by Claudia Turner of Save Shoreline Trees for more information about this project.

Tracking removal of public trees

In addition to the removal of non-hazardous public street trees around major housing developments for frontage improvements, there are many upcoming sidewalk and transportation projects where non-hazardous public trees will be cut down. Tree supporters will continue to ask, at each project, if all options were considered to save these public trees. We continuously ask the City for more information and transparency in advance of public tree removal. By code, public trees removed for frontage improvements by entities other than the City, require tree replacements. Public trees removed for City capital projects do not require tree replacements.

As of April 1, 2022, the current count of non-hazardous public tree removal at major developments:

• Pulte Homes “5 Degrees” (Parkwood): 12

• 5th Ave NE new sidewalk project (North City): 17

• Evergreen “The Line” (Parkwood): 22

WHY ZONING MATTERS

NOW IS THE TIME TO REMOVE INVASIVE IVY

WHO TO CALL FOR ILLEGAL TREE CUTTING

CALL THESE CITY NUMBERS if you see illegal cutting down of trees or mistreatment of trees. Give the address to City staff.

• Private or development properties: call 206.801.2500

• Public trees including street trees and trees in parks: call the City Response Team 206.801.2700

SST NEWSLETTER INDEX

Click here for a complete index of past Save Shoreline Trees newsletters and content.

Contributors to this newsletter: 
Melody Fosmore, Kathleen Russell, Kathy Kaye, Susanne Tsoming, Claudia Turner.
Questions or comments may be emailed to info@saveshorelinetrees.com.