Parks commission approves two street-tree removals, updates several street-tree designations

The Santa Barbara City Parks and Recreation Commission voted May 28 to approve the removal of two trees in public parkways and to adopt changes to the street-tree master plan for several blocks, actions commissioners said are intended to balance property improvements, public safety and urban forest health.

The commission approved a street-tree removal at 2310 Chapala Street for an American sweet gum after staff and the Street Tree Advisory Committee concluded the tree conflicted with proposed property improvements. The applicant’s landscape plan calls for three replacement trees—two on the Pueblo side of the parcel and one on the Chapala side—and the commission’s approval was conditional on those three trees being planted.

The commission also approved removal of an African fern pine in the front setback at 15 Broadmoor Plaza, accepting the advisory committee’s finding that the tree’s location and damage to hardscape made replacement practical. The commission conditioned approval on planting a replacement tree capable of reaching 25 feet at maturity.

Separately, commissioners approved recommendations from the Street Tree Advisory Committee to change street-tree designations on narrow parkways more suited to drought- and salt-tolerant species. The commission approved changing the Del Oro Avenue designation to the New Zealand Christmas tree (a commonly used coastal species) and a tougher “U-pine” palette for diversity; and approved a designation change for Los (as named in staff materials) Avenue to African sumac and “Rovolphia” as the committee recommended.

Why it matters: Santa Barbara’s street-tree policies determine what species are planted in narrow coastal parkways and how property development, sidewalk and curb repairs, and tree health are balanced. Commissioners and staff emphasized mitigation—replacement trees or a specified mature height—rather than automatic removal when a conflict arises.

What staff and applicants said: City arborist Nathan Slack presented the committee findings and site observations for each case, noting the Chapala tree was "in fine shape" but conflicted with a relocated driveway and associated improvements and that the applicant’s landscape plan provided mitigation. The applicant’s agent, Heidi Jones, told the commission she was available for questions and that the project team, including landscape architect Laura Brady, supported the mitigation plan.

Votes and motions: For the Chapala Street item, Commissioner Price moved to find the removal warranted as a reasonable, practical development of the property; Commissioner Ramsey seconded and the motion passed on a roll call vote. For the Broadmoor Plaza removal, the commission voted to approve the setback-tree removal conditionally, with the replacement requirement and a finding tied to "principles of good forest management." The two street-tree designation changes were both approved by motion and passed.

What this does not change: The commission and staff noted that the city’s street-tree ordinance and the rules governing street trees differ from other removal findings; for street trees the ordinance does not require the same formal written findings used for private-property trees, but staff said they use consistent language to explain rationale. Staff also flagged that species names and availability can change over time and that some of the rarer recommended species are not widely available in the nursery trade.

Next steps: Staff will record the conditional approvals and monitor the plantings required under the permit conditions; commission discussion signaled close coordination between the Street Tree Advisory Committee and city arboriculture staff for follow-through.