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Residents and tree advocates protest planned removal of mature trees across Whittier projects
Summary
Multiple speakers at the Aug. 26 meeting protested plans to remove mature trees from Uptown Whittier, Parnell Park and the 5 Points intersections, raising environmental, health and process concerns and citing specific tree‑count figures and budget items.
Several long‑time Whittier residents urged the council on Aug. 26 to pause plans that would remove mature street and park trees in multiple locations and to enforce the city's tree‑removal policies and mitigation requirements.
Why it matters: Speakers said the trees provide shade, reduce heat and filter pollution. They cited specific counts of planned removals and argued alternatives exist to preserve mature canopy while meeting other city goals such as park reconfiguration.
Monica Sena described a series of projects she said would remove mature trees in Uptown and other locations. "There are approved plans to remove 108 mature trees in Uptown," she said, and she also cited a plan she said would remove "178 mature trees" in Parnell Park. She urged the council to seek alternatives to preserve the canopy and criticized replacement plans that she said favor smaller, slower‑growing stock.
Tom, another resident, said petitions oppose cutting ficus trees "from Mar Vista all the way up to Hadley" and warned residents will oppose further removals at intersections including Painter & Whittier Boulevard and 5 Points.
Other speakers raised process concerns: Connie McCormick said decisions had been put on consent without discussion and questioned the award of a Parnell Park contract she described as a $22 million project that she said lacked public discussion of its scope. Magdalena Moe and Helen Raider of the Whittier Conservancy asked staff to confirm whether required mitigation plans and public notices were completed before posting removal notices at 5 Points.
Council response and formal action: No council motion to remove or retain trees occurred at the meeting. Council members asked staff to follow up with affected residents; residents requested detailed mitigation plans and earlier public notice. Several speakers requested that public works and planning staff provide documentation about mitigation and the tree‑manual compliance.
Ending: Residents told the council they will continue to watch projects and press for alternatives that preserve mature trees; staff was asked to follow up with specific property notices and mitigation documentation.
