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Planning commission approves tree protection zone exception at 99 Edwards Lane
Summary
The Atherton Planning Commission approved a tree protection zone exception allowing a small pool equipment building and a detached garage to encroach near two coast live oaks at 99 Edwards Lane after staff and the town arborist recommended approval.
The Atherton Planning Commission on April 23 approved a tree protection zone exception permitting construction of a small pool equipment building and a detached garage within a reduced protection area around two coast live oaks at 99 Edwards Lane.
Staff presented the request and recommended approval of a TPZ exception permitting structures to be placed at a distance equal to six times a tree's diameter-at-breast-height from two coast live oaks; one tree on the subject property measured 26 inches DBH and the other, on the adjacent property, measured about 30 inches DBH. The staff report said the pool equipment building would be roughly 80 square feet and largely occupy the footprint of an existing pool equipment shed.
Town arborist Sally Vance inspected the site and the applicant’s exploratory trenching and concurred with staff that the trees were in fair health and good structure and that the proposed work presented minimal risk if typical safeguards are used. Vance said she “found no significant roots” during hand trenching and recommended approval with the conditions listed in her memo attached to the staff report.
Applicant Riley Anderson said the request was reasonable and thanked staff: “the request is reasonable, and we appreciate the report that was written.”
After questions about neighbor notification and the site visit, a commissioner moved approval of the tree protection zone exception permit ETPZ25-00002 for 99 Edwards Lane, citing the findings in the draft permit and the stated environmental exemption. The motion referenced Atherton Municipal Code provisions and an exemption for minor alterations to land. The commission voted 4-0 to approve the application; Chair Lane and Commissioners Lugers, Levison and Tenali voted yes, Commissioner Pulido was absent.
The approval allows the applicant to proceed with the pool equipment building and the detached garage as shown in the application, subject to the conditions in the staff report and the town arborist memo. The planning commission noted that typical tree-protection measures and the limited footprint made this the least impactful location for the proposed work.
