tree removal ltr11-3-06
City of Yelm
Community Development Department
105 Yelm Avenue West
P.O. Box 479
Yelm, WA 98597
November 7, 2006
Jason and Sara Wells
8210 Eagle Ridge LN SE
Olympia, WA 98513
RE: Canal Estates Street Tree Removal
Dear Mr. & Mrs. Wells:
Thank you for speaking with me in regards to the street trees within Canal Estates. As we discussed earlier, the city has been informed by the Home Owners Association for Canal Estates
that street trees have been removed within the plat. I would like to reinstate that the street trees are located within the city right of way and are therefore owned by the city. Purchasers
at the auction for homes located within the future SR 510 Yelm Loop right of way were advised by Dawn Fletcher from Department of Transportation that the City was to be notified at the
time the trees needed to be removed. It is the responsibility of the City of Yelm to have those trees removed prior to the occurrence of any activity which may damage the street trees.
We have been notified by Public Works that the remaining street trees will be removed shortly.
After conducting a site visit to Canal Estates and reviewing our street tree inventory from 2004 and aerial photos from 2005, it has been determined that at least 7 street trees consisting
of 2 maples and 5 plums have been removed from the city right of way fronting lots 1, 2, and 3 on 90th Avenue SE. As stated in Chapter 14.16YMC, any person responsible for the unauthorized
clearing of street trees is in violation of this section and must pay the cost of repairing or replacing any tree damaged by the violation. The value of trees and shrubs is to be determined
in accordance with the latest revision of the Guide for Plant Appraisals as published by the International Society of Arboriculture. In addition, violation of this section is considered
a misdemeanor.
In order to avoid further action by the City, please provide reimbursement for replacement trees in the amounts of $125.00 for each maple tree and $90.00 for each plum tree that was
removed.
If you have questions or concerns please contact me at (360) 458-8430 or by email at nishab@ci.yelm.wa.us.
Sincerely,
Nisha R. Box
Assistant Planner
Cc: Dawn Fletcher