SBCA ARC Meeting Minutes
November 16, 2007
Final
Attendees: Aven Andersen (SBCA ARC), Tom Callahan (SBCA ARC), Ed Knodle (SBCA ARC), Roy Kraft (SBCA ARC) Bill Stoner (SBCA ARC), Linda Colasurdo (SBCA), Simeon Baldwin (TLV), Mike Fleming, Russ Malmgreen (Timberton), Rob Duncan, Steve Failla (Timberton), Linda Colasurdo (SBCA), Syd Hatch (Bayview),Tom Kingston (Teal Lake ARC), Don Plorde (Timberton), Val Pilmer (Timberton), Russ Reed, Steve Shanklin (Bayview), Jim Tipton ((TLV).
Aven Andersen introduced guest speaker, David Wayne Johnson, Port Ludlow Planner for Jefferson County.
He responded to many inquiries re the Critical Areas ordinance that Jefferson County has recently submitted to the state as an amendment of the Jefferson County Code and its impact upon the villages and homeowners in Port Ludlow with regards to tree removal, vegetation management and the Shoreline Management Master Program. All of these restrictions impact on SBCA ARC decisions and permits applications that are presented both to the Village ARC’s as well as the SBCA ARC.
For example the county’s Vegetation Management Formula imposes many restrictions on what a homeowner may do to existing vegetation shoreward of the building setback line. Tom Callahan showed the chart, which is actually attached to deeds of shoreline property.
Under the critical areas ordinance any existing landscaping can be maintained without county review because the critical area has already been disturbed and the lot clearing and building was approved. Thus, it may be unnecessary for the homeowner to apply for a county permit and pay the $153.00 county fee for changes to the trees and vegetation on his land (JeffCo Tree/Vegetation Supplemental Application)
In limited common areas, for certain villages like Bayview and Teal Lake, is where there are concerns in landscaped areas that have been maintained, can we continue? It was suggested that the HOA have David Wayne Johnson come and look nd do a walk around. Johnson is able to determine what type of plan for county (and ARC) purposes is needed for the area to be managed it over a period of years, rather than submitting plans annually. For example, a birm of blackberries (an invasive species) may be removed in a critical area unless removal might cause slope instability. The same provision holds in Timberton limited common area where alder trees have grown up.
Village comprehensive plans should address the maintenance in the critical areas for the comprehensive management plan.($153 fee would cover the whole plan) Inventory what is in there and how you are going to manage it, annual basis trimming would be covered so long as you do not deviate from the plan.
When asked how the County will manage a HOA’s comprehensive landscaping plan, Johnson stated that it may require monitoring by an arborist and wetland biologist.
Timberton village reported that it is evident that tree cutting in the common area has altered the water flow direction, and might have an impact on slope stabilization plus drainage issues for the 3 detention ponds. This is a perfect example of why Jefferson County should be involved. Tree trimming should not kill the tree, but if it does than that tree loss should not harm or change the hydrology.
As for predicting landslides – Jeffferson County goes by its critical areas and Geotech maps.
Need for permits in critical areas and buffer went into effect in 1994 (JCC chapter 18.15) – the current proposal is an update to that ordinance – but nothing really is going to change re vegetation management.
Boundaries and slope stability and how they are defined comes from state and federal agencies. They have overlay maps done from aerial topographic photos, soil samples and hydrology.
Steve Faila mentioned that the fire wise program in Timberton allows any homeowner to clear back as far as 100 feet from the homes and is done semi-annually with cuttings taken to the street and the village paying for removal. It has been very successful and this is the most fire aware village and wants to continue it. Will one blanket application of the whole village suffice, rather than repeating it annually?
Johnson suggests maintaining the vegetation by removing the alders and replacing them with low growing shrubs to sustain soil and slope stability etc.
When asked if there are people with expertise at the County – or will the villages have to hire experts. Johnson’s response was that this is a new process and the county is aiming at consistency in developing policy on how to manage an area, who is going to monitor, what changes may be made, and how can they be made. DWJ will be developing a format for the process. There is some discretion built into the code for critical areas; some landscaped areas grand-fathered and can continue to be maintained at their current level. Slide danger areas are treated differently.
How to remedy the fact that some of the state and federal maps are flawed re critical areas, and a slope area can occur in several steps: Would the maps be changed? The county maps are based on the best available scientific information (although some of it is old) If there are questions about certain properties, the county would consider new information, then those properties would be tagged for geotech studies, and the reports kept on file.
A critical area is the same as what was known as an environmentally sensitive area. Geotech reviews are public record –available in pdf- all residents have access to this information.
Customized maps for particular areas that can be used with overlays and show any planning for tree cutting etc, can be obtained from the county at a cost, this can then be used with your plans. Email David Wayne Johnson at Jefferson at Jefferson County to follow up.
In summation: Villages need to develop long-range landscaping plans, deal with geotechs and/or arborists, submit a permit application the SBCA ARC, and also to Jefferson County with $153 fee with a time limit of perhaps 5 years when the permit would be up for review again.
NOTE: Chapter 18.15 refers to “environmentally sensitive areas” in the Jefferson County documents, but in Port Townsend they are named “critical areas”.
The SBCA ARC thanked David Wayne Johnson for his valuable input and considered responses to member questions from residents present.
MSP to approve October 19th. meeting minutes
Aven Andersen will tender his resignation from the SBCA ARC effective Dec 31st., 2007.
Applications for a position on the SBCA ARC are to be submitted to the board.
Pending Applications: None
Updates: None
New Applications: 07-162-LPV-1-Lackey-Reroof house approved
07-165-LPV-4-Fleming-Tree Removal approved
Permit Extensions: 07-160-Woodridge-Mattoni-Extension request
Deadline is the end of the month; committee to tour the site at that point in time.
(2years 6months process) Landscape plan yet to be submitted.
Village ARC Issued Permits: 07-147-Timberton-Blackentoe-repaint house
07-157-Bayview-Davis-Garden Lighting *
07-158-Bayview-Nesteruk-Propane tank *
07-159-LPV-2-Ryan-resurface deck
07-161-Timberton-Kelly-install T.V. dish
07-163-Bayview-Burns-landscaping *
07-164-Bayview-Morris-generator *
* copies of these permits to be submitted to L. Colasurdo.
SBCA Issued Permits: 07-135-Olympic Terrace-Main-Enlarge deck (new drawings)
Final completion check suggested verifying height.
07-153-Inner Harbor -Inner Harbor HOA-Tree Removal
07-154-Inner Harbor- Inner Harbor HOA –Danger Tree removal
Application moved to next meeting: None
Applications Voided: 07-139-Fairwood-Thomas-View Maintenance in Teal lake com/area
No information turned in. Must re-apply for a new permit
Denied Applications: None
New Business: None