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 permanent or progressive structural damage that would justify removal.

Neighbor Charles Sheffield, who provided photos and supporting material, told the commission the tree posed hazards to elderly pedestrians and had caused vehicle damage. “The situation is that the tree is a hazard. I have elderly people in the neighborhood… they cannot [pass] because of these cracks in the sidewalk as well as the pine cones,” Sheffield said. He described at least one documented instance of a pine cone cracking a windshield and reported an unrecorded fall by a woman using a walker.

Commissioners discussed maintenance, precedent and the limits of the city’s repair schedule. Commissioner Clark and others pressed staff to follow up with Public Works about hardscape inspection and possible expedited repairs for locations with vulnerable pedestrians. Mr. Slack said staff would “close the loop” with Public Works and follow up with the applicant.

For the Laguna Street request, applicant Ron Shekelow told commissioners he had nurtured the volunteer coast live oak for about 20 years and worried the tree’s trunk (which he said measured about 15 inches at the base) could deform a historic sandstone wall and later require costly repair. The Street Tree Advisory Committee recommended denial without prejudice, meaning the applicant could return with evidence of actual damage (for example, mortar fracturing). Chair McGill said the panel’s denial without prejudice preserves the applicant’s option to reapply if physical damage appears.

On the designation change, staff explained the committee’s recommendation to replace Queen palms on the 100–600 blocks of West De La Guerra with a mix of smaller species — including a smooth‑barked “coolibah” (Snow Queen), Catalina Island cherry, Taiwan cherry, silverleaf oak, Engelmann oak and Japanese blueberry — to increase shade, species diversity and reduce long‑term maintenance associated with palms. Staff said parkway widths on the 100–400 blocks are narrow and the committee selected smaller, utility‑friendly trees appropriate to those spaces.

Motions to adopt the committee recommendations passed for all three items. The transcript does not include a roll‑call tally with each commissioner’s yes/no vote; commissioners noted the actions passed and staff informed applicants about appeal rights. Chair McGill read appeal language for the commission’s actions, noting applicants may appeal to City Council within 10 days under Municipal Code Section 1350.

Commissioners and staff emphasized the city’s interest in preserving its urban forest while addressing safety and accessibility. Commissioners asked staff to accelerate Public Works follow‑up where sidewalks and vulnerable pedestrians are implicated and to include these locations in future inventory and capital‑project prioritization.

The commission moved on after approving the designation change; staff said the tree inventory and an urban forest management update will guide future species choices and infrastructure prioritization.

Ending: The commission’s actions leave both trees in place for now while clarifying pathways for applicants to return with new damage evidence or to appeal. Staff committed to follow up with Public Works about sidewalk repair inquiries and to include these sites in future inventory work.