Updated: Bomb Cyclone Hits Anderson Park

Four Anderson Park landmark trees were blown down in the same western direction by the eastern winds of the "bomb cyclone.".  

This landmark fir crashed into the well pump station and snapped in half.  Amazingly, it was the only park structure hit by a tree.  Power lines down.  No CERT volunteers present.

This park cottonwood fell in a western direction like all the rest.  The large root

balls will be saved and used in rivers, streams, mitigation banks, for erosion control, soil preservation and salmon habitat.  The city does a great job of installing them in Bear Creek, the Sammamish River. and their flood plains.  These 70-year+ old trees are irreplaceable.  

Photos by Yoder, day after the November 21 "bomb cyclone" 

Posted 11/22/24, updated 11/23

GreenRedmond Tree Planting Events , Two Locations

Below are planting event dates and site locations. Find a site map here  Email:  greenredmond@redmond.gov for the times.  The event usually starts at 9 AM.  

September 2024
Microsoft work party  (closed) 09/25/2024 Arthur Johnson Park
Last Saturday of the Month Volunteer Event  (Click) 09/28/2024 Viewpoint Open Space
October 2024
First event of planting season  (Click) 10/19/2024 Arthur Johnson Park
Green Redmond Day Planting Event  (Click) 10/26/2024 Viewpoint Open Space

Posted by Yoder, 9/13/2024

UPDATED 1/29/24: Pearce PRD Deforestation Rivals the Devastation of Group Health's Tree Habitat

A Bobcat's "last stand" in Sigmund and Werner's backyard / credit Sigmund

In 2007, I made two trips to Sigmund and Werner's house to commiserate with them about their severe loss of a forest bordering their property.   Losing a neighborhood forest and it's wildlife is close to losing and mourning the loss of a dear friend. It hurts and it takes time. I know this from the Education Hill Perrigo Heights clear-cut. Sigmonde showed their pictures and I listened. She took me on hurried walk through the forest before the clear-cut. It was all over in just a few days.

The photograph of this urban Bobcat was taken by Werner & Sigmund. Their home borders on a North Redmond 18-acre forest.  Over 300 mature trees were cleared for 76 single-family homes with lot sizes ***4000 - 22,000 SF, according city documents. The project (178th Ct. NE & NE 116th St.) is known as "Pearce PRD" and is one of many environmentally sensitive projects in Redmond developed by Eric Campbell's Camwest Development, Inc. of Kirkland, WA.

According to a "Wildlife Study Report" filed by wetland , wildlife, and forest consultant Chad Armour, LLC on January 20, 2007 "the site may have the potential to support as many as 68 different species of wildlife". Sigmund has also observed coyotes and deer in her backyard and there have been neighborhood reports of *black bear. Where will they go?

Camwest paid an arborist for a tree preservation plan required by city permit. The arborist reported that 294 significant trees were clear-cut. That's 54% of the 489 significant trees on the project. 39 Landmark trees were presumed removed.  Landmark trees are supposed to get special protections. (see Councilwoman Kim Allen's statement, below).

Chad Armour made two brief site visits. Among Mr. Armour's qualifications, he is a "certified wetland delineator" and has a certificate in commercial real estate. He was hired by Camwest to write environmental reports for the city land use permit. 

Mr. Armour reported: nine wetlands and 20 State Priority habitat tree snags, ideal for Pileated Woodpecker nesting. He identified a foraging P. Woodpecker, and a Great Blue Heron "in the vicinity". The Great Blue Heron is valued by the State and Redmond as a Priority Species of Local Importance. Nesting P. Woodpeckers are potentially endangered and have protections when nests are present. I was told by a resident Armour spent only several hours during each of his two visits to the site.

Mr. Armour stated a heron rookery is located about one mile SE of the site. City planner Cathy Beam indicated months ago these eastern rookery nests were vacated. Mr. Armour also noted a stream map indicating coho salmon migrate to within a few hundred feet of the project site. A tributary to Bear Creek and two ponds are present.   

Obviously, significant and devastating deforestation of  "urban open space" has occurred. Habitat destruction was far more extensive than Camwest's Tyler's Creek and Perrigo Heights developments. Fortunately, Camwest does a good job restoring and enhancing their streams, wetlands, and forest buffers. However, according to the neighbors, the development will be setback only 20 feet from their properties and exposed neighborhood trees will be endangered by resultant high winds.

Councilwoman Kim Allen is to be commended for speaking up for the neighborhood during Werner's Landmark Tree Exception appeal. Councilman Richard Cole appeared insensitive during reconsideration of the Landmark Tree appeal stating Werner was slowing down the project. Ms. Allen is a qualified lawyer and is a strong council advocate for "green" protections and standards. ** Ms. Allen's statement urging amendments to city tree preservation standards are below. The city is holding a Community Meeting on Thursday, 7/28 to ask for ideas on how to improve Residential Development permitting. Contact Jeff Churchill for more information by emailing: jchurchill@redmond.gov.

*** The City Neighborhood Map and Notice of Application quote different lot size ranges.

**'Councilmember Allen read a written request to the staff as follows, 'Tree retention is an expressed value of the citizens of Redmond articulated in the Comprehensive Plan, Neighborhood Plans, and community meetings. Redmond’s tree retention law reflects that a detailed and thoughtful analysis by the Administrator of what should be a detailed and written account of extraordinary circumstances is required to justify the felling of any landmark tree or drastically reducing our declining canopy. In this case there is no record of that detailed analysis by staff which does both the staff and the citizens a disservice. Our Code Administrators should begin to provide a written and detailed analysis of their reasoning on all of these exceptions to our Tree Retention Ordinance and that the code should be amended to provide notice to adjacent property owners when such a request is made.' - contributed by Werner

###

QUESTIONS:  Was off-site mitigation required?  It not, how where were they replaced? PRD' appeals are Quasi-Judicial. Was there adequate notice?  Tom Hinman, a respected planning commissioner, influenced the city years later to map significant and landmark trees on the Notice of Application. Why did it take so long?   In 2022, Tree Regulations were updated to protect/preserve Redmond's remaining trees on private properties.  It's 2024 and the updated tree regulations still haven't been implemented owing to legal issues Kirkland is facing. No comment.   

Opinion and report by Bob Yoder, ~ 2007, updated 1/29/2024  

Additional "land use" articles are found using the blog search engine.

Atmospheric River Flooding Event in Redmond, 12/5/2023

The December 4-7, 2023 atmospheric river dumped almost four inches of rain at SEA-TAC.  Peak rainfall was 1.83 inches on December 5th and 2.07 inches on December 6th.  

This video was taken just north and east of the Redmond Safeway store.  The city closes the trail during floods. The Avondale Bridge crosses Bear Creek upstream.  The bridge is a good location foe salmon watching. Deer have been seen in the riparian behind Safeway. It's also a hangout for homeless neighbors.  

This photo shows flooding south of Redmond Way behind Overlake Urgent Care.  Bear Creek is barely be seen in the distance, where the rusty bike/ped bridge ends. In preparation for light rail, the creek channel had to be altered, restored and the riparian was enhanced with tiny trees and shrubs.  White irrigation pipes were installed for the summers.  A video of flood plain activity is here.  

White pipes irrigate tiny shrubs of the Bear Creek floodplain 

 - Bob Yoder, 12/9/2023

"Bear Creek" posts from the blog search engine.

"Trees" posts 

"Land Use" posts 

"Opinion" posts 

UPDATED: The Unique Character Of Redmond's Wooded Hillsides

Six-story Redmond Square Apartment construction - Can you see the evergreen hillside? / Bob Yoder

Guy Jakobson, an urban landscape consultant with Berger Partnership, said at a Council seminar in 2007 "the unique character of our "wooded hillsides" surrounding the city is special. He said the wooded hillsides were an under appreciated city asset. 11/9/2007 

This picture made me think about the city's current "urban center" plan developed 25 years ago.  Do you see the trees on the ridge?  The treed hillside will "vanish" (from this angle) once all six-stories from the apartment building are up.

Quick story:  The "urban plan" was to "ensure that Downtown building heights respect views of tree lines and adjacent hillsides and contribute to the development of urban space that feels comfortable for pedestrians.  This would be achieved by limiting heights to 5-6 stories. The height is to be in proportion to the Town Center zone and elsewhere but could increase in height when accompanied by exceptional public amenities."

Fast-forward to today with the coming redevelopment of Redmond Town Center:  The city is keeping the current "urban plan" unchanged except for broadening the developer's ability increase height when "advancing business diversity, housing, and environmental sustainability goals"  

Thirteen years ago we really didn't appreciate "the unique character of our wooded hillsides."  We took them for granted.  Look around today.  Almost from any angle we are losing our evergreen hillsides.  Guy was right. 

Yet, as an astute reader said, looking at the bigger picture, if we value our green spaces we need to grow "up" versus "out".  

-- Bob Yoder, 7/18/2022

   Source:   Attachment B. Urban Centers Element Amendments DT-11

Updated, 5/29: ATTENTION TREE HUGGERS: Council To Act On Neighborhood "Tree Regulations Update," June, 7th

 

Twenty-eight inch Significant tree too close to our house / photo Yoder

Redmond City Council will make a decision on the proposed "Tree Regulations Update," Tuesday, June 7, 2022 at 7:00pm, City Hall. If you can't make it to their meeting to give testimony (4 minutes) email your comments to: MayorCouncil@redmond.gov. 

RESOURCES:  

Most of the improvements from the proposed updates are directed to large developments. For example, penalties are tripled for topping trees in native growth easements. And, replacement tree requirements for landmark removals are increased three-fold. Single Family Homes receive few benefits from the update. I've included some resources for assistance in sending comments to Council. Email: Council@redmond.gov.

ATTENTION:  PROPOSED TECHNICAL TREE REGULATIONS RELEVENT TO DEVELOPERS (RCZ 21.72) AND INCLUDING SINGLE FAMILY HOME REGULATIIONS, BELOW:   

1) Tree Replacement requirements for Single Family Homeowners:  For every "landmark tree" removed (MINIMUM 30 INCHES DIAMETER) three replacement trees are required. For every "significant tree" removed (6 inch diameter) one replacement tree is required. Minimum sizes for replacement trees shall be two-and-one-half-inch caliper for deciduous trees and six feet in height for evergreen trees.  

2) City of Redmond Residential Tree Removal Application. One heathy landmark tree may be removed every 365 days by deviation request and/or two "significant" trees may be removed every 365 days on a 10,000 sf lot.

Enforcement: All single family home permits are "enforceable" but are not enforced;  They have no teeth.  No fines, no penalties, no off-site planting or fee-in-lieu alternatives.   

3) Single Family Homeowners support the Tree Canopy Strategic Plan by monitoring canopy changes against a citywide target of 40% coverage over 30 years. 

Redmond's Tree Canopy by neighborhood:  January 2019  (dated, over three years ago.)

Rose Hill/Willows:  49.9%, Idylwood: 40.3%, Education Hill: 40%, Bear Creek: 38.5%, Grass Lawn:  37.6%, North Redmond, 36.5%, Overlake:  31.7%,  Downtown: 19.3%, Sammamish Valley: 17.2%, SE Redmond:  15.3%, Major deforestation in North Redmond. 

4) "The Director of Planning & Community Development may consider smaller-sized replacement trees if:  the applicant is a single-family homeowner applying for a tree removal permit and the homeowner will plant the replacement tree(s) versus hiring a contractor. In this case, the homeowner may request a waiver as part of the tree removal permit to have the size at installation of a deciduous replacement tree reduced to five-to-ten gallon sized trees. There is no waiver for size at installation for evergreen trees. The minimum size for evergreen replacements is six feet tall."

When is a tree removal permit required?

City of Redmond Residential Tree Removal Permit:  No permit fee.

-- Bob Yoder, 5/18/22

Questions?

Contact Cathy Beam, Principal Planner

cbeam@redmond.gov

425-556-2429

UPDATED: Eighty-seven Townhomes In Woodinville Under Construction By Horton

     DR Horton, the nation's largest homebuilder, acquired a 32 acre horse farm for $19 million

click to enlarge

Apparently, the City of Woodinville is zoning for large developments.  My friend Mike took this picture of  a very nice house with acreage including mature trees and a large pasture.  He says it's being bulldozed to build 87 townhomes and seven single family homes. The grading and construction is below 132nd Ave NE. 

-- Bob Yoder, 3/30/2022

We Are Losing "Green" To Downtown Construction

Looking Southwest from 166th Ave. NE / Yoder (click pic to enlarge) 

Redmond Square construction is in the foreground. The buildings will be six stories tall.  Light rail construction (in blue) is behind. Once Redmond Square is finished the ridge of Evergreen trees will vanish (from this angle.) We are losing our green and it's happening all over the City.   

-- Bob Yoder, 2/5/2022

Downtown Redmond Trees Are Fading Away

Downtown Redmond trees are slowly "fading away" from light rail construction

Aren't these trees beautiful? We won't see them ever again from this angle once light rail is complete. This view looking north, from South Redmond Town Center, shows the "tree loss" effects light rail will have to our quality of life. We'll be "losing trees" to Redmond Square and other projects, as well.  Just look around; take a few pictures before they're all gone.  

-- Bob Yoder, 10/15/2021

  
 

UPDATED OPINION: Redmond's Tree Canopy Is Decreasing

Redmond tree canopy in ~2017

 The tree canopy webpage has been updated to include information on suggested trees, tree selection, planting tips, care, and watering along with volunteer opportunities. 

 Updates to the Redmond Comprehensive Plan, describing the 40% canopy goal, timeline, and key strategies were adopted by City Council on November 17, 2020. 

 The 2021-22 budget included $150,000 for Carbon Footprint Reduction/Tree Canopy Expansion in the biennium. To date, 1.71 acres have been cleared in the Monticello watershed with 1.21 acres planted (540 trees) in the spring of 2021. The remaining .5 acre will be planted in fall/winter 2021-22. Additional plantings are being considered on park properties. 

Two mature Cedars will be removed during King County's sewer line replacement.  Will King County or the City try to repurpose them for salmon habitat? Beavers are gnawing down quite a few alders this year. Will aerial photographs account for these losses?

 In 2021, Public Works has planted 150 trees at Keller/Bear Creek using stormwater funds and over 100 trees will be planted at Smith Woods through Parks/Stormwater funds. 

 In 2020, the following number of trees were planted on City owned land:

o Natural Resources planted 1,240 

o Parks 230 

o Forterra (Green Redmond Partnership) 509 

o Adopt-a-Stream Foundation 840 

o Total trees planted: 2,819 Strategy 

C: Increase Planting on Private Property. 

 City-led Planting: Staff has conducted research on a variety of incentive programs to provide trees or discounts to purchase trees along with estimated costs to manage the program based on current models in use around the region. Opportunities are being evaluated to propose a program in the 2023-24 biennium. 

 The Green Redmond Partnership planted nearly 2,000 plants and engaged 438 volunteers across 17 parks for a total of 1,264 hours of volunteer engagement. As noted above, they planted 509 trees in 6 parks in 2020.  

According to the website, only two Green Redmond planting events were planned for this Fall. According to Zoe of Fortera ,the two October events were "sold out" by September 30, (some exceptions were made for officials). In years past, Green Redmond held multiple events. Not too long ago, Parks Director Hite said one of the limiting factors this year was the cost of trees.  

 Earth Corps has also been a partner on planting and community engagement. 

 Current Tree Canopy Coverage: The most recent analysis in late 2020, shows that Redmond’s 2019 tree canopy coverage is 37.9%, this includes parks within the incorporated City limits but not contiguous city limits. (The Watershed Preserve (800 acres) is counted as canopy?) This represents a decrease of .2% or (24.7) acres from 2017. This amount of loss isn't terribly bad considering our considerable development. It's clear the City is doing what they can to preserve our canopy. The changes in canopy cover occurred within the contiguous city boundary. The tree canopy coverage in the contiguous city boundary is 32.9%, down from 33.2 (24.7 acres).  Does street trees and off-site mitigation with saplings count towards canopy?

 Staff updates tree canopy coverage on a 2-year basis in even years. The data is updated using aerial photographs that are captured in odd-years (2019) and the data is available in even years (2020). The next update would be in 2022.

Source:  Edited Council Committee of the Whole Parks memo, 10/29/2021

Opinion, Bob Yoder

The City Of Redmond Requires Tree Removal Permits

Tree is too close to our house

A Tree Removal Permit is required for removal of any significant tree (diameter of at least 6" at 4.5' above the grade) within the City of Redmond regardless of its condition. A tree removal permit is not required for routine maintenance. Routine maintenance includes selective pruning.

Landmark trees, Protected trees, and trees within Critical Areas cannot be removed, unless they are determined to be hazardous, dead, diseased, dying, or structurally unsound by a certified arborist. A Landmark tree is any tree greater than 30 inches in diameter at 4.5 feet above the ground.

28 inch significant tree

Permits are required by the City to remove any
tree with a diameter of at least 6 inches. For an average sized lot in Redmond removal is limited to two significant trees per year and one Landmark tree per year with some exceptions.

For questions and to apply for a permit call the planner of the day at 425-556-2494.

Full details are here:
https://www.redmond.gov/529/Tree-Removal

Though it was very sad to see the tree go we, (and my neighbor) are a lot safer, we have more light in our backyard, among some other benefits.

Paul Harvold (pictured above) is an excellent arborist, nice guy too! 425-748- 4649.

Photos by Bob Yoder, 6/18/2020

NW Lake Sammamish Sewer Upgrade Project

An example of open-cut trenching we can expect

The King County Lake Hills/NW Sammamish Sewer Upgrade Project will seriously impact western Redmond with construction starting in 2021. It will take three years to complete.

"The sewer pipe is located underground directly beneath the Sammamish River Trail surface between N.E. 85th Street and N.E. 51st Street. To replace the pipe, crews will need to remove the trail surface.  It will encroach upon Marymoor Park.and private property. 

"Many trees have grown up round the the sewer pipe since it was installed 50 years ago.  Crews will need an area approximately 30-45 feet wide along the entire pipe route to safely install the new pipe. Plants and trees will be removed in these working limits.  Over the length of the 4.5 mile-long sewer route we expect to remove several hundred trees. 

"When work is complete, we will replant at least one tree for every mature tree that is removed.  For trees that are removed and are 30-inches-wide or larger, three new trees will be planted.  These guidelines are set by the City of Redmond."

 -- King County planner

I highly recommend you participate in the online open house to learn more about the project and give feedback. I've taken it and found it very useful. It is very well done.  

The following meeting is planned to review the project and gather additional feedback:

Wednesday, January 8, 2020
5:30 – 7 p.m. Redmond City Hall, Council Chambers
15670 N.E. 85th St., Redmond, WA 98052

On another note, during 2019 Derby Days the City Parks & Trails Manager said the Sammamish River Trail is planned to be widened. The Trail is on King County property and I wouldn't be surprised if the widening takes place during the sewer project.

- Reported by John Reinke and Bob Yoder

12/31/2019

Redmond Tree Canopy

Evans Creek Trail / Bob Yoder

Tree Canopy in Redmond is very important to our government officials and it's residents. In fact, every year for the past many years our Council and mayor have had multiple Study Sessions on our trees.  

Why is tree canopy so important?  Redmond’s character and main attraction for many community members is its trees, wooded areas, and urban forests. The benefits of trees and urban forests include reduced stormwater runoff, improved water and air quality, attractive communities, increased property values, greenhouse gas reduction, habitat for native wildlife,and improved quality of life, including finding serenity while hiking through Redmond's many wooded trails. 

Currently there are 4,062 acres of tree canopy within Redmond. I'm not sure if this includes our street trees and the Redmond Preserve. (Comments?) Overall, tree canopy coverage is declining at a rate of 12 to 13 acres per year as vacant and underutilized parcels continue to develop or redevelop. During the 2019 Redmond Lights festival I ran into Gary Smith, a parks and trails commissioner. He said a large development in North Redmond involved removing a significant number of trees; he thinks and hopes the trees will be replaced in the Keller Farm Mitigation Bank. 

The City of Redmond is currently at 38.1% tree canopy (as of 2017); the City is working hard to see this grow and has adopted a goal of 40% tree canopy by 2050.  The 2050 goal represents a 200-acre increase in canopy from where we are today. The City currently restores and plants approximately two acres of trees and shrubs annually and is planting four acres of trees in 2019 . Green Redmond recruits citizen volunteers to plant many of these trees.

John Reinke, a Redmond photojournalist, has taken many pictures of birds and wildlife in our woodland habitat. I sent him an outstanding article WITH great pictures titled "Super Trees."  It's a must see.  (For more on John's tree experiences "Read More"

Idylwood Park restoration of tree removal areas

Gary Smith teaching restoration at Idylwood Park /
Credit Forterra

In August 2017, two separate large cottonwood tree limb failures occurred at Idylwood Park. The City hired a contractor to remove fourteen hazardous cottonwood trees in October 2018.  Two remaining hazardous trees have been pruned or are currently being evaluated.

Restoration Plantings: Restoration of the Idylwood Park tree removal areas will occur February – March 2019. A community volunteer replanting event will tentatively take place on Saturday, February 9. Volunteers and City staff will plant trees, shrubs, groundcovers...

Source:  Council business meeting, 1/15 memo

Bob Yoder

Plant park trees to restore Redmond forests

"yours truly"

Save the date to plant trees with the Green Redmond Partnership!  Join us at Juel Park on Saturday, October 27th, 9 am - Noon to help keep our forests healthy and green. Everyone can help! All ages welcome, no experience necessary. Green Redmond will have all gloves and tools for you to use, as well as coffee and snacks to get the morning started.

Planting events will be held at two other park sites this year. Advanced registration is strongly encouraged as some sites will fill up.  Find your favorite park and sign up via the link below!

We only have a few more spots open to volunteer with us on Oct 27th, so please email us below if you would like to sign up. Sign up at www.greenredmond.org.

-- Bob Yoder

Source:  redmond.gov

City to restore Idylwood Park

Idylwood Park cottonwood trees / King 5

Redmond, WA –In March and April of 2018, the City removed 14 cottonwood trees in Idylwood Park after a risk assessment identified the trees as a public safety hazard. The remaining high-risk cottonwood trees were scheduled for removal following the busy summer beach season.

In the summer of 2017, two separate large limb failures resulted in injury to a park patron and damage to private property. These incidents prompted the risk assessment.

Removal of the cottonwood trees started on October 10. Large trees will remain in natural areas along the waterfront away from high-use areas, and permanent fencing will be installed in areas to limit access and protect future restoration plantings.

During this project, the City has been working with numerous organizations and a citizens group to create a restoration plan that would preserve and maintain natural habitats while offering safe, enjoyable experiences for all parks users. Over 60 trees, nearly 400 shrubs and groundcover will be planted which aligns with the City’s commitment to restoring and maintaining the urban forest for present and future generations.

The Redmond community values our trees, and we have programs in place to protect this natural resource, but public safety is our top priority. The cottonwood trees scheduled for removal are in high-use areas and are public safety hazards.

The robust mitigation and urban forest enhancement plan is scheduled for the winter months. The City will coordinate a community volunteer planting event.