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Board allows removal of 10 street trees for downtown waterproofing; replacements required
Summary
The Board of Appeals granted a request from 100 Mission Owner LLC to remove 10 street trees as part of building waterproofing work, approving mitigation using 36‑inch box replacements and requiring coordination with SFMTA and BUFF on final measures.
The Board of Appeals on June 26 approved a Public Works order allowing removal of 10 street trees along 100 Mission Street frontage to permit a building waterproofing project, subject to the bureau’s recommended mitigation.
Attorney Chloe Angelus and structural consultant Jeffrey Looney described extensive moisture intrusion and an engineering plan (rubberized asphalt membrane) that will require tree‑well access and removal of roots. BUFF (Bureau of Urban Forestry) staff said an initial hearing officer decision had denied removal while staff recommended approval; a later engineering report persuaded BUFF to support removal with mitigation. BUFF recommended replants using the largest feasible 36‑inch box trees and noted the potential to reconfigure Muni signal wiring so additional street trees can be planted.
Commissioners pressed BUFF on basal‑area replacement math — how the trunk diameter lost would translate into replacement numbers — and whether in‑lieu fees or additional plantings should supplement the on‑site replacements. BUFF explained appraisal methodology, the limitations of planting in limited rooting volumes downtown and argued that 36‑inch box replacements would provide greater value than a simple in‑lieu fee in this context.
After questioning, the board voted 5–0 to grant the appeal with conditions requiring removal of the 10 trees and replacement plantings of large (36‑inch box) trees, with follow up coordination on exact species, spacing and SFMTA signal adjustments.
