City of Kirkland should revisit tree cutting policy | LETTER

There were a line of seven trees cut on what seems to be on public land, at the southern corner Northeast 60th Street and 104 Avenue Northeast, in the Houghton area near some lots getting ready to be developed.

June 22, 2011 7:29 pm
This line of seven trees were cut down at the southern corner of Northeast 60th Street and 104 Avenue Northeast in the Houghton neighborhood.
This line of seven trees were cut down at the southern corner of Northeast 60th Street and 104 Avenue Northeast in the Houghton neighborhood.

There were a line of seven trees cut on what seems to be on public land, at the southern corner Northeast 60th Street and 104 Avenue Northeast, in the Houghton area near some lots getting ready to be developed.

These seven healthy trees, as far as I can tell, were not on these properties, but on an easement along a gravel road.

After talking to the Kirkland Planning Department, I was told that permits were issued for their removal. It was my understanding that there was a density clause with regard to cutting trees of certain sizes and limited to only a certain number within a prescribed area.

Who justified cutting a line of seven large and medium trees down, all next to each other? I pass these trees often, on my walks, and find the destruction totally unnecessary. The tree stumps are an ugly reminder of someone’s disregard to fostering or natural surroundings, a real shame.

With Kirkland’s current “green policy” how is it justified that these trees were even cut down? The area is sparse enough that these trees were not in anyone’s way, and would not effect the view onto Lake Washington.

Trees need to be protected and tree removal needs careful consideration, particularly a line of seven trees. I strongly suggest that the Kirkland Planning Department revisits its tree cutting policy and be more careful in giving out permits in the future.

Rick Bodlaender, Kirkland

*Editor’s Note: City of Kirkland Planner Sean LeRoy responded to these trees that were cut at the Jewett site at 10421 N.E. 60th St: “The trees in question were permitted for removal under the grading permit, City file no. LSM08-00046, which has been approved and issued to the applicant. The trees, located on private property, were not determined to be of high retention value given the proximity to right-of-way and utility improvements and therefore were not required to be saved, though several other trees on the subject properties were.

The density requirements of 30 tree credits per acre (see Kirkland Zoning Code Chapter 95.33) is currently met (accounting for the permitted removals), and will be applied to each lot of subsequent building permits.

For reference and background, you may find our Zoning Code online at http://kirklandcode.ecitygov.net/CK_KZC_Search.html Chapter 95, Tree Management and Required Landscaping.”