Planning commission upholds permit to remove 35-inch coast live oak at 830 Menlo Oaks Drive

The San Mateo County Planning Commission on Jan. 22, 2025 voted 3–1 to deny an appeal and uphold the community development director’s decision to grant a significant tree removal permit for a 35‑inch coast live oak at 830 Menlo Oaks Drive (County file PLN 2023‑00336).

The decision overturns the appellant’s request to reverse the June 5, 2024 approval. Planning staff had recommended upholding the director’s approval after multiple reviews of arborist reports and revisions to the application.

The appeal, filed June 20, 2024, challenged the director’s findings and argued the permit was granted on an insufficient record. Appellant John Danforth, who identified himself as a Menlo Oaks neighbor and member of Menlo Oaks Tree Advocates, told the commission the house on the parcel had been “a complete scrape” and that the owner had flexibility to relocate the garage. Danforth said, “This was a complete scrape. I watched…