City Council upholds appeal to protect Italian stone pines on Anapamu Street; HLC members call for clearer rules on landmark trees

Santa Barbara City Council unanimously upheld an appeal to preserve the Italian stone pines along Anapamu Street, a decision commissioners and staff said reflected unusually strong public comment and concerns about how the municipal code treats living, non‑structural cultural resources.

Public commenters and commission staff said the council’s decision — announced after the appeal hearing — affirms an intent that replacements for removed Italian stone pines should be the same species (Italian stone pine) whenever possible. Ellen Kokkin, the city’s design review supervisor, told the commission the council vote was unanimous (Council Member Sneddon absent) and that staff expects a council resolution that will state the city’s intent to maintain Italian stone pines in place and, where a tree is lost, to replace it in kind.

Why it matters: Commission members and members of the public framed the…