Planning Commission approves use permit to remove up to 53 oak trees for proposed Salinas house; conditions require further review before removal

The Monterey County Planning Commission voted 8‑0 on June 25 to approve a use permit allowing the removal of up to 53 protected oak trees and one non‑native Monterey pine to permit future construction of a single‑family dwelling on a forested parcel in the North County Inland Area Plan (HCD file PLN240178, property listed in staff reports as 8730 Eagle Roost Road in Salinas).

Why it matters: the parcel is in a rural density residential zone where native oak and madrone trees are protected; removal of more than three native trees in a 12‑month period requires Planning Commission approval under Title 21. The item prompted extensive commissioner questions about process — specifically whether the commission can evaluate tree removal before a construction permit or final building plans are submitted.

Key facts and findings: staff said the lot is densely forested and located in a State Responsibility Area for wildfire. The application originally proposed removing 67 trees but was reduced in coordination with staff to 53 removals; three of the trees proposed for removal are landmark trees (greater than 24 inches in…