16518 SR 507 SE 03062017O of THFp�9 City of Yelm
4
Community Development
Department
Y E L M 105 Yelm Avenue West
WASHINGTON Yelm, WA 98597
February 27, 2017
JOTA INC HAND DELIVER TO 16518 SR 507
7955 Auberge Circle
San Diego, CA 92127
Re: Tree Topping at 16518 State Route 507 [Parcel #64303400500]
Dear Tony;
Thank you for the response letter to the tree topping letter of January 24, 2017.
The City of Yelm has been a National Arbor Tree Foundation Tree City USA since 1997. We take great pride in
maintaining and supporting the natural beauty of trees and this is reflected in our development codes. Street
improvements are required with development of property in Yelm and this requires landscaping with trees on
the public right of way with ownership by the City of Yelm but maintenance required by the property owner.
This maintenance is regulated by Yelm Municipal Code 18.55 and protected by Yelm Municipal Code 18.57.
In your letter you indicated the previous owner informed you the City of Yelm owned the trees, yet you neglected
to inquire at city hall for proper trimming procedures. The result of the topping of these trees was directly
related to your desire to gain higher visibility of the gasoline station from State Route 507 and Creek street
regardless of the health of the trees. Arborists claim trees severely topped might not be dead, but the canopy and
limb growth will be severely modified and the cuts could result in sunscald, diseases to the trunk, and could
eventually result in the trees death. Over pruning of the trees will also result in an undesirable canopy on the tree
when /if new limbs grow.
It has been the policy of the City of Yelm, in similar cases, to require like for like replacement of severely topped
trees (leaving greater than 3" in diameter stubs within the trees crown). This letter is to inform you this is the
decision in this case as well. Please submit landscaping drawings for city approval to indicate the trees you
intend to plant to replace the damaged trees.
You must respond to this letter within 15 days. Failure to comply with this letter by stated time may result in
further actions by the City of Yelm, including, but not limited to the issuance of civil penalties of up to $250.00
per day of ' tions or fu her enforcement action through court of competent jurisdiction.
Ron Kemp, CBO
Building and Fire Safety Official
(360) 458 -8407
ronk @ci.yelm.wa.us
(360) 458 -3835
(360) 458 -3144 FAX
www.ei.yelm.wa.us