Environmental Commission recommends approval to remove 32-inch pecan for LifeWorks Tillery supportive housing; conditions required

The Environmental Commission voted May 7 to recommend approval of a Land Use Commission variance allowing the removal of a 32-inch-diameter heritage pecan (tree number 3510) on the 1-acre portion of a 13-acre site where LifeWorks plans a 120‑unit permanent supportive housing project at 819 Tillery Street. The recommendation passed on a roll call vote: eight in favor, one opposed and one abstention.

City arborist Naomi Rotramel told commissioners the request is a variance under the city's heritage tree ordinance (transcript citations provided to the commission) and that staff's technical review determined the subject pecan has "poor structural integrity" and documented defects including repeated large limb failures and a cavity beneath a major branch union. Rotramel said staff requested advanced assessments (climbing inspection, resistograph/tomography) and that multiple staff and a board-certified master arborist verified internal structural weakness in the crown above a major load-bearing union. Rotramel said the "variance is recommended."

Rotramel said the applicant provided multiple alternative layouts and design iterations; staff reviewed those options and met with Fire, Transportation and other reviewers. The applicant committed to preserving 34 other heritage trees on the property and to transplanting one heritage tree where feasible. Rotramel described the mitigation standard in the…