The Atherton Planning Commission on July 23 approved a Tree Protection Zone (TPZ) exception for two coastal redwoods at 92 Caballo Lane, allowing portions of a proposed residence and an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) to encroach on the trees' protection zones under conditions recommended by the town arborist.

Commissioners granted the permit after Planning Department staff and the town arborist said the trees are in good condition and can tolerate the proposed construction if the project arborist supervises work and follows prescribed root‑protection procedures.

Assistant Planner Jerry Martin told the commission the permit, PTPZ-25-00006, requests exceptions for a 33.2-inch coastal redwood (3.5× DBH exception) and a 35.5-inch coastal redwood (5.8× DBH exception). He said planning staff and the town arborist recommend approval with conditions requiring hand excavation near roots, on‑site presence of the project arborist during excavation, root‑cutting limits, and a three‑year irrigation and fertilization plan with quarterly arborist reports.

Neighbors who spoke during public comment opposed the exception. Rosa, a nearby resident, said, “We feel by allowing them to build closer to the coastal redwoods that they will harm the roots of those trees and potentially lose them,” and told commissioners she and other neighbors lacked confidence that the property owner will protect the trees.

The property owner, Anat Solkol, told the commission she revised the design after consultations with staff to preserve trees and that the lot was created by an SB 9 split and is unusually narrow (71 feet wide). Solkol said the driveway was kept in its existing footprint to minimize tree impacts and added: “I will appreciate your approval for this because this is the only way to develop this area.”

Chair Elaine then called for a motion; the commission approved the TPZ exception with the town arborist's recommended conditions and the staff report's CEQA exemption language as cited in the draft permit. The motion record indicates the item was approved by the commission; staff will enforce the arborist reporting requirements and excavation protocols spelled out in the permit.

Why it matters: The decision allows development of a small, SB 9‑created lot while relying on arborist protocols to try to protect mature coastal redwoods that neighbors said are central to neighborhood character. The commission imposed monitoring and mitigation conditions rather than denying the request.

Details: The lot is roughly 0.37 acre (16,186 sq. ft.). The proposed main residence is shown as 3,363 sq. ft. with an attached 799‑sq. ft. ADU; the ADU is under 800 sq. ft. and therefore exempt from certain heritage‑tree provisions referenced in the staff presentation. The TPZ exceptions were described in the staff slides as touching the proposed garage and ADU footprints; the town arborist and project arborist both recommended hand excavation, root‑cutting limits (no roots over 2 inches cut), and three years of irrigation/fertilization with quarterly reports.

What’s next: Staff will attach the arborist conditions to the permit and monitor compliance through the quarterly reports required by the permit. No further commission action was recorded on this permit at the meeting.