2023
SST UPDATES

 12/11/23: Tree advocates asked Council to retain trees along N 145th from Corliss to 1st Ave NE. 2 block lengths. No action taken by Council to retain these trees. Council approved moving forward with the construction contract for the N 145th Corridor/I-5 Interchange project. 

10/26/23: Memo to PRCS/Tree Board from Public Works: More than 500 trees will be cut down along and adjacent to N 145th from I-5 west to Aurora; and, 274 trees will be cut down along N 175th for capital improvement projects. Total: More than 774 public trees to be cut down despite Resolution 494 declaring a state of climate emergency. 

9/11/23: Agenda item discussed by Council: Impacts to Public Street Trees. Approximately 22 trees were cut down on 15th Ave NE; 28 trees were cut down along N 155th; 6 trees along 5th Ave NE were cut down, and 55-60 trees preserved on 5th due to an alternate method of root shaving and steel plating. Kean Engie’s video of N 155th. Council directed City to provide information in advance to the public on future sidewalk projects (new sidewalks and sidewalk rehabilitations), when there can be public input about tree removal. 

7/27/23 - A total of 48 tall trees at Linden Ave N at the former Garden Park apartments have been cut down. This is the site of the future Modera apartment complex. Article in Shoreline Area News . 

7/24/23 - Council did not discuss the proposed tree code to retain trees over 70” in diameter. The Giant Sequoia 72.8” in diameter located at 18525 Firlands Way N is not protected by Shoreline’s tree code. The City recommended the entire tree code be reviewed in 2025, meaning an updated tree code may be approved by 2027. 

7/6/23 - Public tree on the NE corner of Wallingford and N 157th to be retained. In response to emails and calls from residents about the removal of this tree, the City Traffic Engineer provided a solution that will preserve the tree. Appreciation to all who emailed and called about saving this tree. 

6/12/23 - The Pacific madrone 29.6” dbh and the Douglas fir 25.5” dbh, were cut down on 6/1/23 in Richmond Beach, corner of NW 190th St and 20th Ave NW. Per code, the owner must plant six (6) replacement trees within 180 days. The remaining Douglas fir, 24.3” dbh, cannot be cut down at this time. Article in Shoreline Area News. 

Council 6/12/23 - Fee in lieu for removal of trees 24” dbh and larger was approved by Council per Resolution 512. Fees only pertain to new cottage housing developments. 

Council 6/5/23 - New tree codes for cottage housing passed including retention of 35% of the trees on cottage housing sites only. (Ordinance 984) 

5/25/23 - 1st Avenue NE sidewalk project (N 145th to N 155th): 0 trees will be cut down.