HOW TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE TALL TREES IN SHORELINE - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
This document was prepared by members of Save Shoreline Trees for your benefit to know what to do when you have concerns about trees in your neighborhood. The information contained herein is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Save Shoreline Trees suggests effective ways for residents to protect and preserve the Shoreline’s urban tree canopy by working with, not against, the City. Adding your voice and support will help create a greater impact. If you believe in this cause, please support Save Shoreline Trees efforts by subscribing to the SST eGroup. email saveshorelinetrees@gmail.com
How Do I Learn About Building Projects in My Neighborhood That Affects Trees?
Private developers are required to send a written notice to all residents within 500 feet of a proposed development [1]. This notice includes an invitation to a public meeting. Developments by public agencies (such as WSDOT) are publicized through “The Seattle Times” under Public Notices section.
The City of Shoreline does not post a list of all proposed private developments on its website.
You can request information from the City’s online Public Records request form.
Another way is to review the City’s website under “Land Use Notices” for notification of major development and capital projects.
[1] Required written notice of neighborhood meeting depends on the type of action the private developer is requesting. These actions are categorized in 3 groups, i.e., A, B, C. For more details, see “Permit Review Procedure” stated in Subchapter 3 of the Shoreline Municipal Code 20.30 Procedures and Administration.
How Do I Learn Which Trees Will Be Removed on a Development Site?
As part of the permitting process, often proposed development projects with existing trees require an arborist report, prepared by a professional arborist hired by the developer.
The arborist report and/or the “Tree Retention Calculation Worksheet” describes all the existing trees on the site, which trees will be retained, and which trees will be removed.
At some development sites, the City’s municipal code requires that a certain number of new trees be planted to replace trees that are removed.
Typically, the State Environmental Policy Act (“SEPA”) requires an environmental review for large construction projects. For more information about the SEPA process, exemptions, etc., go to the Department of Ecology website and review the SEPA checklist. The SEPA application is completed by the developer and includes information about many aspects of the building site, such as drainage and grading, tree removal, etc.
The City project manager then verifies the information provided on the SEPA checklist. Copies can be requested from the City project manager. If a SEPA is not required, ask the City project manager for the project description report.
What Can You Do When You See Tree Removal(s) on Private Property?
When you spot tree removal or topping (illegal) in Shoreline, stop and make note of:
date, time and address of the property
number of removed trees, their species if known, their approximate sizes (a tree removal permit is required for any tree with 24” or greater diameter-breast-height [“dbh”] as defined in Code Sec. 20.20.016)
the name of tree-cutting service
photos, if possible
This information will help identify the property owner and confirm if a permit was issued for tree removal.
Call the City at 206.801.2500 with the above information and for confirmation of a proper tree removal permit.
What Can I Do If I Learn About a Development Project in My Neighborhood?
If you learn about a development project in your neighborhood and want to advocate for tree preservation, one of the best things you can do is contact your neighbors and form an email group of concerned residents.
Then identify the assigned City Project Manager for the development project by calling 206.201.2500. Provide the address to the staff answering phone and ask for the name and contact information for the Project Manager.
All development projects in Shoreline must receive a permit and an assigned City Project Manager is responsible for the permitting and construction process. The City Project Manager will provide you with key information about the development project.
If your group emails the Project Manager and the developer a letter of concerns, SST suggests the following:
State in your email:
all of your concerns
that you want to be a “party of public record”
request a copy of the meeting notes and video of the developer’s community meeting
Email this request to the City Project Manager, and copy the City Council and the Planning Commission.
How Do I Advocate for Tree Preservation on a Building Site?
The best type of advocacy varies by project.
Currently, multi-family development projects by private developers are prevalent, where lots that were previously used for single-family homes are subdivided for townhomes and/or apartments.
As an individual, effective types of advocacy include:
attending any public meetings (currently virtual online meetings) organized by the developer
asking questions and stating your support and concern for tree preservation
emailing comments to the City Project Manager with a copy to the City Council stating your concerns
Often, SST is asked by residents to advise and email its position and findings in support of the preservation of the tall conifers on a development site.
How to Write a Comment to the City Project Manager and City Council?
Generally, the most effective comments are concise and refer to the environmental advantages and benefits of preserving our native trees, thereby aligning with the City’s published commitment to environmental protection.
Written comments can be submitted at any time, but it is typically best to wait at least until an arborist report has been prepared to specifically address the importance of retaining the trees proposed for removal. Most decisions are made by the City tree code. The Director has the option to make exceptions for less tree retention, or less tree replacement, if certain criteria is satisfied by the developer, as allowed by code.
Where Can I Find Further Resources for Preserving Trees in Shoreline?
Save Shoreline Trees website includes references to the many benefits of trees, especially conifers and native trees, provide in maintaining our health and biodiversity. The SST website also maintains a list of pertinent articles and videos, and a list of the many City of Shoreline publications that pertain to the preservation of City trees.
Explanations of tree regulations can be found on the City website, too, but these can be highly technical, and it may be helpful to speak with the City project manager first if you have questions about how specific tree regulations apply to a particular development site.
