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Council upholds appeal, directs parks staff to move forward with tree maintenance and replanting plan on East Anapamu
Summary
The City Council on April 15 upheld an appeal and denied the Parks and Recreation Commission's decision to change the street tree species designation on East Anapamu Street, and council and staff described a maintenance and replanting timeline that includes contract-growing 40 Italian stone pines for planting next fall.
The Santa Barbara City Council on April 15 adopted a resolution upholding an appeal and denying the Parks and Recreation Commission’s earlier decision to change the designated street‑tree species for the 300–800 blocks of East Anapamu Street.
Appellants and neighborhood advocates said the change had been handled without adequate involvement by the Historic Landmarks Commission and asked the council to require a stronger decision‑making role for HLC. Emma Brinkman, one of the appellants, said she had "serious trepidation" that Parks and Recreation would not give sufficient priority to rehabilitating and maintaining the Doremus Italian stone pines without HLC oversight.
Council Member Kristen Sneddon asked staff to clarify timing and the maintenance and replanting plan. Parks and Recreation staff said they prepared and circulated a memo with a replanting and maintenance plan and that they have begun contract growing 40 Italian stone pines, with planting anticipated next fall after site preparation. Director Jill Zachary said site preparation includes stump grinding, soil work, and coordination with Public Works on curb and pavement repairs so plantings have a high chance of success. Staff also said the Urban Forest Management Plan will be updated to reflect climate‑resilience and wildfire considerations and that municipal code changes could follow if council directs.
Why it matters: Residents and appellants argued the designated grove is a landmark and should be managed with HLC decision authority rather than only as a review body. City staff said the appeal addressed a designation change and that operational maintenance and public‑safety tree removal authority remain with Parks and Recreation under current code; any change to commission roles would be a separate action.
Outcome: The council moved and approved the staff recommendation documenting the council’s earlier action on the appeal; the motion passed unanimously with Council Member Eric Freeman absent. City staff stated they will provide the public the maintenance and replanting information shared with council and will move forward with the contract‑grow and replanting timetable.
Background: The appeal stems from the Parks and Recreation Commission’s earlier action regarding species designation on East Anapamu. Appellants and some members of the public sought a stronger role for the Historic Landmarks Commission and a clear replanting schedule and maintenance commitments. Staff said the Urban Forest Management Plan (a 10‑year document) will be the vehicle for updates in consideration of climate change and code clarifications.
