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MORE TREE BATTLES

Many TREE BATTLES involve comments to the Department of Planning and Development (DPD), below are the Tips on Making Effective Comments, as suggested by the DPD themselves.

Although the quantity of letters DPD receives regarding land use activities
may indicate the extent of neighborhood or agency interest, it is the relevance
of the comments—the information they contain—that will most affect a project’soutcome. Here are some tips on making your comments effective:

Briefly explain who you are and why you are interested in the project.
State your concerns clearly and succinctly using objective language.
Comment only on issues relevant to the decision being made.
State opinions and preferences, ask questions, and propose alternative solutions to particular issues. State informed opinions and, where possible, include data to support your opinion.
Review the project’s technical reports or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) data, comment on conclusions, assumptions and the data collecting methods.
Keep focused on your objective. You want DPD to hear your concerns and be compelled enough to investigate further.
Identify the topics you want to include in your letter and how you want to organize them.
Ask for studies that you think are important but have not been provided.
If the proposed project is subject to SEPA and you think it will have significant environmental impact, request that an EIS be prepared.
Provide your own information.
Identify project features that you like and think should not be changed.
Provide any comments about the project’s compliance with the Land Use Code.
Ask to be added to the project mailing list and request a copy of the notice of decision. (Copies are sent via U.S. mail, so please provide your mailing address when making request.)

ALWAYS PLACE THE PROJECT NUMBER ON ALL CORRESPONDENCE! ADD THE ADDRESS TO THE PROJECT IF KNOWN. ALWAYS KEEP COPIES OF YOUR CORRESPONDENCE.

Save the Trees welcomes information regarding Tree Battles throughout the Emerald City. Our goal is to Save Trees where ever it can be done. We recognize the need for housing, and look for alternatives to clear cutting a lot. We recognize the need for education, yet ask for a reasonable alternative to destroying trees to building and increased lot coverage. We do not want to control the property rights of others, we want to educate the public and allow for informed decisions to be made.

Seattle has lost canopy coverage. And it continues to. We are concerned that this continual loss without recognition of the perils that come with it, will cause the death of a City. Not in a way we often consider death. But a death of heritage, tourism, health, vibrancy, and our souls ..our uniqueness as part of the Northwest is built upon our heritage as having Evergreen Trees, and plenty of them--of being the Emerald City. Our heritage is not built on looking like Chicago, San Diego, Denver, or New York...each individual, each with their own reputation and heritage. With every mature tree removal, so goes our heritage. It takes time to build a name... It takes only minutes to destroy it.

We look for realistic answers.
We see the world with trees now.
We want those trees for the future.
What about the heritage?
Grandpa planted this tree when he was 5,
Dad played in and around it.
Will Grand child?
Will Great Grandchild?

A Douglas Fir can live past 4 generations.
Our City has lived past 4 generations with trees...but since the 1980's has lost 40% of its trees. We haven't replaced them. In 29 years we haven't replaced them, 1/4 of a century. We are still reducing our canopy--it will take over 20 years for the "replacements" of today's loss to even begin to look like a tree with a canopy. 1/2 Century. Where are we doing?

June 10, 2009

THE COMMONWEALTH MANIFESTO

Before the Denny’s and the Yesler’s arrived, before the U. S. Constitution was written,
before land grants were granted, before Columbus set sail, before Christianity,
Judaism and Islam came into existence, before agriculture and predating civilization,
before man walked the earth there were trees!

Trees, the giants of the plant kingdom reigned supreme and dominated
landscapes. For 200 million years trees have provided food, shelter,
clean water and clear air for billions of creatures and millions of species
including man!

Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness demand and require a healthy environment.
Trees and the fishes of the sea represent the commonwealth of the planet.
Will we be the stewards of our blue and green planet or will we oversee world-wide
ecosystem collapse and mass species extinction? The choice is ours. We must protect
our commonwealth! Trees benefit all life forms; we destroy them at our peril. There
would be no National Parks, no National Forests, no National Seashores or National
Wildlife Preserves without the concept of commonwealth.

The New Story on BIG RED

6/8/09 Great news about BIG RED

by Michael Oxman

http://www.seattle.gov/dpd/AppDocs/GroupMeetings/DRProposal3004423AgendaID2732.pdf

Next Monday nite at the University Heights Center is the Big Red review for a Recommendation at the Design Review Board meeting. The above web link to the DPD website shows the building setback from the tree at 30' away from the trunk. As recently as the May 4th meeting (report), the tree was invisible on these blueprints.

This is a tremendous victory handed to the appellants by the Hearing Examiner. The Order to Remand the project back to the DRB in response to a pre-appeal motion has resulted in the developer caving in to the pressure applied by the neighbors' appeal to save this Western Red Cedar with a 4 foot diameter trunk.

If any of us can attend to support the appellants, it would help a lot to have a big crowd speak during the Public Comment period.

Try to keep from chortling with glee too loudly, as the developers scurry headlong back to their drawing boards. Wear earplugs or iPod headphones to drown out the grumbling as the developers lament their lost profit from selling out the rootzones of the trees they thought they had nearly converted into cash. Congratulate the members of the Design Review Board, as they thwart yet another failed attempt at a land grab of the urban forest heartland of America.

I don't know what time the agenda item will come up.

Arboreally yours,

Michael Oxman

April 28, 2009

The Environment, Emergency Management and Utilities Committee of the Seattle City Council met on April 28th. The agenda included an update of the Urban Forest Management Plan. A new Satellite imagery of the City Tree Canopy was performed in 2007, and is discussed. The importance for retaining our current tree canopy is brought up as compared to an overemphasis on planting trees. To find out more about this very important topic go to: Urban Forestry Management Plan Tree Canopy Assessment Briefing.

Big Red's Battle, is coming to an end.
Not the end we had hoped for or desired. The Big Red Cedar is to meet the doom of the Chainsaw.

A warrior's comment:
Big Red's RANT

What was most intriguing to me about the meeting last night [Note from 10 March 2009: this meeting took place at University Heights Community Center on 6 October 2008] was the fear I could smell from the Design Review Board. They were clearly worried that some people would become unpleasant regarding the tree. They went out of their way to address "the tree issue" as soon as they could, to wipe it off the table as quickly as possible. The one woman who spoke out about the tree said she was angry but was letting it go, as it had clearly already been decided. My experience in the past (with the old DCLU) was similar: once they make up their minds, it's a done deal. The fact that this great old tree is partially on public property is simply not an issue. Sigh. Very sad. Very Business as Usual.

I was also struck, listening to the reported recommendations of an arborist associated with the development (he was not present last night), which seem to indicate he hasn't actually looked at the property. Has he? Does he really think that putting in a couple incense cedars will "replace" a 100+ year old western red cedar? [Note from 10 March 2009: I now believe Big Red to be "only" about 80 years old, based on an archival photo from 1937. JHT]

Listening to various comments from neighbors, it became clear that many people are looking forward to this building being constructed. It's a typical, mediocre new building, though the architect and landscape architects went to great lengths to explain how great it will be. Not much permeable surface, generic landscaping where they can fit in a few green things, and a large fence separating the building from the south side neighbors. Of course, it is likely that at some point in the not-so-distant future, the south side will be developed similarly, which will leave no room whatsoever for all the "landscaping" that's being put in on the south side - and will also effectively remove any view of people in this current building. Another aspect is the "common space" planned for the northwest corner. Do they really think that will be anything other than a gathering place for students, taggers, and drug dealers? Call me cynical, but I've lived near the high school for a long time.

It's extremely sad that Seattle developers and architects have so little imagination in their designs and are (in this case) so focused on maximizing their profits at the expense of a wonderful old arboreal member of the community.

Julia Helen Tracy

One of many responses from DPD sent to Warriors;

From: Diane Sugimura
Subject: Tree at 6515 Brooklyn Ave NE
Date: Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 2:48 PM
October 22, 2008

Dear Ms. Cox:

Thank you for your correspondence and phone messages regarding your
concerns about the tree at 6515 Brooklyn Avenue Northeast.

Mayor Nickels also received a copy of your letter and asked me to
respond on his behalf.

For nearly a year, we have studied the preservation
requirements for the tree through three separate arborist reports. We have
thoroughly explored potential changes to the project to accommodate
co-existence with the tree. Departures from development standards
through the Design Review process have been evaluated. Our conclusion and
that of a third party arborist review of the situation is that the tree
requires a minimum of 49 feet for a development-free protection zone
if it is to survive in the long term.

The proposed project is located in a designated Urban Village, an area zoned for higher density
residential development, and is in close proximity to the Roosevelt
light rail station. A re-design to protect the tree would reduce the
project significantly in terms of the number of residential units
possible. After a careful evaluation of all the factors, we have
determined that the project cannot proceed consistent with the intent of
its zoned potential and designation as an Urban Village, and
reasonably retain the tree in a manner that would ensure its long term survival.

While this particular situation does not offer a reasonable opportunity
for tree preservation, an extensive re-planting phase is part of this
proposal, and the addition of extra new trees will partially mitigate
the impact of the cedars removal.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Diiane M. Sugimura, Director
City of Seattle Department of Planning and Development
700 Fifth Avenue, Suite 2000
P O Box 34019
Seattle, WA 98124-4019

READ ALL ABOUT IT:

Fate of stately cedar has neighborhood divided

Development planned near 90-foot tree

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/388015_TREE15.html
By DEBERA CARLTON HARRELL

More information about Big Red, email T. Walton at woscaj@yahoo.com, or visit http://saveseattlestrees.org.

(1/10/09) Michael Oxman took a tree tour with Council member Tom Rasmussen of the proposed bulldozing site of the grove of 36 Exceptional Trees at Piper Village at 85th St. & Greenwood AV N. He has asked DPD Director Diane Sugimura to explain how these rare Aspen trees could be condemned with no notice to the public, in spite of 3 complaints in the last year.

Speaking up for trees, takes time and effort. Michael took time to call the Council Member, invite Him and take Him on a tour.
If you know of places that need to be exposed call or write to Council Members, and bring it to their attention. If you are able, take the time and show the Council Member the trees. This helps the Council to see how really important it is to protect our trees. Thanks Michael for your great example and leadership in Saving Trees.

If anyone else has ideas, or knows of Battles, please let us know where. Or write us a description so we can let our readers know. Letters to the City Council and DPD help to expose the huge loss of tree canopy and the number of citizens who realize this is happening.

As many of our readers know, tree battles have many facets. One of the biggest and most difficult portion regarding the Battle for Trees in Seattle is to forge a new, accurate, strong, no loopholes, tree ordinance that will protect the Mature and Majestic Trees in this City.

For some this battle has been long and seems to be stuck in the quagmire of mud often found in politics. For others, it is new and hopeful.

Where ever you may be in this spectrum of warriors, realize there is a battle, and the fight is on. There may seem at this time to be an appeasement from the City Council and Mayor to quiet the "tree huggers' by giving them an Interim Tree Ordinance. But the Tree People know different, because deep down, the real fight is for the REAL THING, the REAL, and MEATY ORDINANCE that PROTECTS the TREES, the PERMANENT ORDINANCE.

Representative of the Desire for a Permanent Tree Ordinance and all that is involved with the process is the following ideas from Michael Oxman.

1) Appoint a citizen advisory board, give them reports by staff and set them to work educating the citizens about tree values to build funding support;

2) Develop a clear set of value statements that come from the people, rather than staff creating them for us;

3) Assess our current personnel, equipment and tree program resources;

4) Inventory our tree population, on both public and private land;

5) Determine appropriate treatment of publicly owned trees, and implement programmed planting, maintenance and removal of trees per optimal schedule;

6) Determine acceptance by public of enhanced tree protection measures;

7) Reward well treed private properties with discounts on utility bills and other incentives;

8) Celebrate doing the right thing with Arbor Day ceremonies and other recognition activities, and rewards for nurturing a healthy urban forest.

A climate of teamwork is needed within the municipal government to work with the community. The adversarial tone should be addressed with leadership to streamline our public process. Until now the public input process has been subverted by reluctance to participate in a transparent effort to accomplish a worthy goal in an inclusive way.

Arboreally yours,

Michael Oxman

Comments and letters like Michaels are encouraged at this website, as a community with the common goal to SAVE TREES ideas on how to accomplish the goal, need a place for expression. I encourage readers to write to savethetrees@live.com, with your ideas and goals for the Emerald City.

Thanks,

Shelly-web master

Briefly explain who you are and why you are interested in the project.
State your concerns clearly and succinctly using objective language.
Comment only on issues relevant to the decision being made.
State opinions and preferences, ask questions, and propose alternative solutions to particular issues. State informed opinions and, where possible, include data to support your opinion.
Review the project’s technical reports or Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) data, comment on conclusions, assumptions and the data collecting methods.
Keep focused on your objective. You want DPD to hear your concerns and be compelled enough to investigate further.
Identify the topics you want to include in your letter and how you want to organize them.
Ask for studies that you think are important but have not been provided.
If the proposed project is subject to SEPA and you think it will have significant environmental impact, request that an EIS be prepared.
Provide your own information.
Identify project features that you like and think should not be changed.
Provide any comments about the project’s compliance with the Land Use Code.
Ask to be added to the project mailing list and request a copy of the notice of decision. (Copies are sent via U.S. mail, so please provide your mailing address when making request.)

ALWAYS PLACE THE PROJECT NUMBER ON ALL CORRESPONDENCE! ADD THE ADDRESS TO THE PROJECT IF KNOWN. ALWAYS KEEP COPIES OF YOUR CORRESPONDENCE.

Another Way to SAVE TREES:

Dear Mr. Oxman,

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

T 206.684.5045
F 206.233.7883

bryan.stevens@seattle.gov

NE 5th Avenue & 123rd Street. Its a 3 block long strip of 125 native trees, now logs!
Why we battle for trees!

For Information about Discover Park please call Duff Badgley: 206-283-0621.

BLOG:
http://treesfortoday-tomorrow-eternity.blogspot.com/

Know of other Tree Battles? Please use the Contact Tree Huggers Form, tell us briefly where and what is happening and what would help. We will get back to you in 48 hours. Remember to put a phone number or email. Thanks

savethetrees@live.com