Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting – March 3, 2025

The Shoreline City Council met on March 3, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers. The meeting included a proclamation for American Red Cross Month, city manager and council reports, public comment on tree removal fees, approval of a consent calendar, and a vote on Resolution No. 541 to amend the 2025 fee schedule for citywide tree removal. The council ultimately adopted a tree removal fee starting at $3,325 for a 24-inch tree plus $100 per additional inch (Option 5) after a 5-2 vote to amend the staff recommendation, and then passed the amended resolution 6-1.

Consent Calendar

• Approved by unanimous vote (7-0) the following items:
  • Minutes of the February 10, 2025 regular meeting.
  • Ordinance No. 1028 establishing a dedicated space carshare permit in city rights-of-way.
  • Resolution No. 537 setting a user fee for the carshare service provider.
  • Contract with Interwest Construction, Inc. for $2,376,912 (plus up to $237,691 in change orders) for Pump Station 30 improvements.
  • Guaranteed Maximum Price Amendment 3.1 with FORMA Construction for $11,626,548.38 for Hamlin Park bond project improvements.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Guilland (Shoreline resident) pointed to a tension between building housing and preserving trees, and asked whether the tree removal fee could be discounted if the applicant is adding housing (e.g., for an ADU).
• Kathleen Russell (Shoreline resident) noted that middle housing is not necessarily affordable; she stated that a tree removal fee should be factored into construction budgets just like other impact fees, and urged council to adopt Option 5 from the Tree Preservation Code Team.
• Boni Biery (Shoreline resident) criticized staff’s use of the iTree tool to set the fee, arguing that the real cost to plant and maintain a tree is $3,325 and that Option 5 best reflects that cost and escalates appropriately with tree size.
• An online speaker (Suzanne Swing) could not be heard due to audio issues; her prepared statement was acknowledged as part of the public record.

Discussion Items

• Action on Resolution No. 541 – Tree Removal Fees
  • Senior Planner Sierra Carson presented four refined fee options for permitted removal of trees 24 inches DBH or greater:
    • Option 3 (staff recommendation): $900 for 24 inches + $100 per additional inch, based on 20-year ecological value (iTree tool).
    • Option 3A (proposed by Councilmember Ademasu): $2,500 + $200 per inch.
    • Option 4: flat $3,325 per tree (cost to purchase and maintain a new tree for 3 years).
    • Option 5 (Tree Preservation Code Team): $3,325 for 24 inches + $100 per inch.
  • Council discussed the trade-offs between encouraging housing and preserving large trees. Deputy Mayor Mork argued that the biggest trees are the most important to save and supported higher fees for larger diameters. Councilmember Scully emphasized that the city must preserve trees while adding housing. Councilmember Ademasu cited the 2021 heat wave deaths and supported either Option 3A or 5. Councilmember Ramsdell preferred Option 3, noting that even the lowest fee could burden low-income seniors. Councilmember Robertson also favored Option 3.
  • Staff clarified that on a 7,200 sq. ft. lot, up to three significant trees (6”+ DBH) can be removed without a permit if they are under 24 inches, but trees 24”+ require a permit and payment of the fee; retention requirements still apply.

Key Outcomes

• Amendment to Resolution No. 541: Councilmember Scully moved to replace the staff recommendation (Option 3) with Option 5. The motion was seconded by Councilmember Pobee and passed 5-2 (Ramsdell and Robertson opposed).
• Final Adoption of Resolution No. 541 (as amended to Option 5): The motion to adopt was made by Councilmember Pobee, seconded by Councilmember Ramsdell, and passed 6-1 (one council member dissenting). Note: The meeting minutes state that the final vote was on “Resolution No. 541, represented by Option 3,” which conflicts with the transcript showing the amended resolution (Option 5) was adopted. This summary follows the transcript as it reflects the actual sequence of votes, but highlights the discrepancy in the written record.
• The approved fee schedule will remain in effect until the tree code is comprehensively reviewed later in 2025, at which time fees may be revisited.
• Deputy Mayor Mork raised a concern about trees damaging foundations not being considered hazardous; staff indicated that such exemptions could be addressed in the broader tree code update.