Parks and Recreation Commission denies two street‑tree removal requests, approves West De La Guerra tree-designation changes

The Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Commission on Dec. 18 denied two requests to remove mature street trees and approved a change to street‑tree species designations along West De La Guerra Street.

The commission agreed with recommendations from the Street Tree Advisory Committee to deny removal of a Canary Island pine in front of 2216 De La Vina Street and to deny, without prejudice, removal of a coast live oak at 1409 Laguna Street. The commission also approved a designation change for the 100–600 blocks of West De La Guerra, replacing Queen palms with a mix of smaller, utility‑friendly shade trees.

The decisions came after staff presented the advisory committee’s findings and neighbors described safety and property‑damage concerns. Mr. Slack, a parks staff member presenting the committee’s reviews, said the committee found the Canary Island pine at 2216 De La Vina to be “well maintained, healthy” and recommended denial because the hardscape damage was repairable and the tree still had substantial service life. He told the panel the committee’s on‑site review did not find evidence of…