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Monday, September 22, 2008

City Strikes At the Root of Tree Removal Problem

posted by on September 22 at 14:53 PM

After a developer cut down number of trees on a greenbelt North Seattle last week, Save The Trees—a group of tree-loving neighborhood activists in North Seattle—held a press conference to scream at the city about a loophole that, they say, is allowing developers to deforest the city.

The city apparently heard Save The Trees’ complaints. In a letter sent to a STT member last week, the Department of Planning and Development says it will seek to fine the developer.

Thank you for notifying the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) of the tree cutting issues at 12301 5th Avenue NE. Although the applicant had a permit application under review for this site, a permit has not been issued. Current regulations prohibit the removal of trees over 6-inches in diameter on undeveloped lots unless a building permit has been issued allowing removal of specific trees.

In coordination with City Arborists, DPD issued a Stop-Work Order on Monday. Unfortunately, it appears many of the trees may have been removed over the weekend. Our enforcement staff will be following up on this issue to prevent this from occurring on the applicant’s adjacent parcels to the north. In addition to the Stop-Work Order, we will be seeking a civil penalty in an amount equal to the appraised value of the trees removed and may require a restoration plan as a result of this action.

If you happen to notice an illegal action such as this in the future, please call our complaint line at 615-0808. DPD enforcement staff are able to respond to these issues expeditiously when notified. Thank you for your continued interest in tree regulations and alerting us of this issue.

Bryan Stevens
Customer Service Manager &
Seattle’s Industrial Permit Liaison
City of Seattle
Department of Planning and Development

While the city appears to suddenly have wood for Seattle’s tree canopy, it remains to be seen whether DPD will step in to assist other tree-loving splinter groups around Seattle.

RSS icon Comments

1

Thanks for not taking a snide hipster attitude about the tree activists, Jonah. The cooler than thou thing would have been way to obvious a tack.

Posted by elenchos | September 22, 2008 4:29 PM
2

I think the developer should get a punitive fine on top of everything else. Fuckers.

Posted by TVDinner | September 22, 2008 4:38 PM
3

Deforest the city. isn't that a contradiction in terms? Im not surprised elenchos would support something outlandishly silly because it jibes with his groovy hippie vibes.

Posted by Bellevue Ave | September 22, 2008 5:11 PM
4

@3

Um, what?

Posted by elenchos | September 22, 2008 7:15 PM
5

@3 and 4,

I suspect that Bellevue is another one of those unconditionally pro-development urban environmentalists who thinks you have to destroy the environment in Seattle in order to save it.

You know, like most of the Stranger's staff.

Posted by Mr. X | September 22, 2008 8:59 PM
6

I dont support development unconditionally, only when it pisses you off.

Posted by Bellevue Ave | September 22, 2008 9:22 PM
7

@6

Well, I suppose if my naive illusions about the magical and wondrous workings of the supposedly "free" housing market had been proven utterly wrong over the last week I guess I'd be a little dickish, too.

Posted by Mr. X | September 23, 2008 3:04 AM

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