Commission approves removal of 10 trees at 2205 Mission Ridge Road; requires seven replacement trees and cites good-forest-management finding

The Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Commission on Aug. 27 approved the removal of 10 trees at 2205 Mission Ridge Road — seven coast live oaks and three river red gums — conditioned on the applicant planting seven replacement trees on the property.

Street Tree Advisory Committee members cited steep slopes, multiple stems, and trees that have grown horizontally over the street as primary reasons for recommending removal. The committee noted routine maintenance on those trees would require substantial road closures and high costs; it concluded that the oaks in particular had little long-term retention potential on the slope.

The applicant supported onsite mitigation and indicated a preference for native oaks among the replacements. After discussion, the committee recommended approval with the condition that seven new trees be planted on the property. "After review they made a recommendation to the commission that the principles of good forest management could be used as a finding to support the removals at 2205 Mission Ridge Road," the staff presenter said.

A neighbor and one public commenter, Anna Kammer, spoke in favor of the committee recommendation, noting the trees’ location above the retaining wall and their lean toward Alameda Padre Serra.

The commission voted to approve the removals with the planting condition and recorded the finding of good forest management to support the decision.