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Board approves removal of four grand live oaks for Live Local affordable housing project; one grand tree to be saved
Summary
The board approved removal of four grand trees at 10510 North Nebraska Avenue to allow a Live Local Act affordable housing development — approving an alternative site plan that preserves one large live oak while removing four others to enable a 6‑story multifamily site plan with a mixed‑use component.
The Variance Review Board on June 10 approved removal of four grand trees at 10510 North Nebraska Avenue to allow a proposed Live Local Act multifamily affordable housing development, adopting an alternative site plan (Alternative Site Plan 3) that preserves one large southern live oak at the front of the property while removing trees numbered 35, 43, 44 and 48.
Landscape architect and certified arborist Ricky Petarica presented the tree assessment and explained that the site contains approximately 120 jurisdictional trees, 11 of which are grand trees; five grand trees were initially identified as impacted by the project. After a site visit and meetings with staff, the applicant provided alternative site plans. Staff requested an alternative (site plan 3) that preserves the front grand oak (tree 46 in the hearing materials) while still allowing the Live Local project’s site plan and its required mixed‑use component (a daycare) and public parking oriented toward Nebraska Avenue.
Petarica and staff explained the Live Local Act application requirements influenced the project layout. The Live Local program requires a mixed‑use component and community‑oriented services, which in this proposal include a daycare and public parking; moving the building to save additional trees would have compromised that requirement and could affect funding viability. Staff observed a decline in condition for several trees since an earlier review; Natural Resources recommended conditions and found the request consistent with conditions.
The board’s motion specified the approval follow Alternative Site Plan 3: preserve the front grand live oak (identified as tree number 3 in the alternative plan submitted during the hearing) and allow removal of trees 35, 43, 44 and 48. The motion found the petitioner met the tree‑removal criteria in section 27‑2‑84.20.5.t.4 of the city code and cited the practical difficulties related to the Live Local Act site layout and funding requirements. The board voted in favor and approved the tree removals as described; staff noted landscape requirements and any replacement planting or fee‑in‑lieu obligations will be addressed during landscape and permit review.
