Board discusses Sound Transit corridor and tree-removal questions; staff urges waiting for formal submittal

Board members raised questions about tree removals related to the Sound Transit corridor (ST3) bus-lane project and whether an inventory exists showing which trees would be removed, how many are invasive and how many are below the permit threshold.

Staff replied that Sound Transit has not submitted final permit applications. Mark Hoffman, the community development director, said the agency’s 100% design package and formal submissions will include the necessary detail and that the city would be a ministerial reviewer at the time of submission. “They have not submitted. We anticipate next spring they will,” Hoffman said. He added that much of the detailed property-level information exists in Sound Transit design documents and in public records obtained through public-records requests, but staff prefers to await an official submission before public outreach or formal comments tied to decision-making.

Board members noted community concern and asked how the tree board could help provide context and answer neighborhood questions in the meantime. Staff suggested the board may be well placed to assist with public education once Sound Transit files, and noted that replanting plans and mitigation discussions typically follow removal plans and may include partnerships with KCD and other restoration programs.

No formal action was taken; staff recommended avoiding unofficial commentary on incomplete designs and to revisit the issue once Sound Transit submits formal permit materials to the city.