Neighbors urge pause after Goleta crews remove trees on Berkeley Road; staff says some removals were for safety

Dozens of Kellogg‑neighborhood residents urged the City Council to stop or slow tree removals on Berkeley Road, saying the trees define the neighborhood and some appeared healthy. Public Works staff told the council they had previously contracted an arborist, that eight or nine trees remained under review, and that further design changes could preserve some of those trees.

At a public‑comment block during the Aug. 19 Goleta City Council meeting, speakers including residents and members of the newly formed group SaveGoletaTrees described long‑standing neighborhood canopy, hired independent arborists to review several trees and asked the city to seek additional risk assessments before removing more mature trees. “These trees define our neighborhood. They give it character. They boost our property values,” said Jeff Kuiper, a Kellogg resident who said he had helped organize the community group Save Goleta Trees.

Professional arborist and Public Tree Advisory Commission participant Ken Knight urged the city to stop removals and commission a Level‑3 tree‑risk assessment — “the highest level analysis” — so a risk‑qualified arborist could advise how pavement and sidewalk work might be adjusted to preserve trees.…