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Board conditions removal of eight street trees, directs possible replacement at 23 Orban Place
Summary
After hearing an appeal by Save North Beach Village, the Board conditionally granted relief on an Urban Forestry removal order (no. 203876): the Board found the trees to be hazardous but ordered the department to explore replacing the tree at 23 Orban Place if feasible, and modified the order accordingly (vote 4–0).
The San Francisco Board of Appeals heard a heated, hours-long appeal over a Public Works Bureau of Urban Forestry order to remove eight street trees and on a 4–0 vote issued a conditional decision that allows removals while directing the bureau to explore replanting at one location. Appellant Lance Carnes argued the department is misusing an informal "24-hour" removal notice and failing to provide the written director determinations required by Article 16 of the city's urban forestry code: “DPW leaves hazard trees in place for months, which contradicts the claim that they are a hazard at all,” Carnes said.
Why it matters: The August–October postings and subsequent removal order (order no. 203876) affect multiple blocks in North Beach and adjacent neighborhoods. Residents and advocates told the Board that trees died after sewer or sidewalk work and that the department has not consistently replanted in narrow sidewalks. The hearing highlighted tensions between public safety, maintenance backlogs, transparency and the city’s replanting guidelines.
Department position and evidence: Chris Buck of Public Works’ Bureau of Urban Forestry said seven of the eight trees are dead and that the department’s 15-day or 24-hour notices posted on-site serve as the director’s written determination of hazard: “Our director's written determination is the 15 posting notice itself,” Buck said. He acknowledged scheduling delays in 2020 due to remote operations and staff turnover and described improvements including online posting of notices and a QR code linking to notification pages.
Appellants’ claims and data points: Carnes presented data from the bureau’s database alleging roughly 300 “24-hour” postings since May 2019, with 162 removals and 129 trees still standing — raising questions about whether nodes labeled “emergency” were, in practice, handled as emergencies. Residents across multiple calls urged replanting, particularly for the cherry tree at 23 Orban Place. Several speakers cited precedents (Hickory Street, Pine Street) where replanting was allowed despite narrow sidewalks.
Board action: Vice President Daryl Honda moved to grant the appeal with a revision: removals may proceed for trees that are dead or dangerous, but the order will be conditioned so that the 23 Orban Place site be replanted if feasible per BUFF determination and consistent with planting guidelines. Commissioners Santa Cana, President Lazarus and Commissioner Swigg voted Aye; the motion carried 4–0. Buck told the Board he would review 23 Orban and return with a replanting assessment if feasible.
Next steps and implications: The bureau will evaluate whether the 23 Orban planting location meets replanting guidelines (the bureau’s rule of thumb cited in the hearing is a minimum sidewalk width of roughly 7.5 feet, inclusive of curb). The Board signaled concern about consistency, recordkeeping and timely replacement; BUFF said it will continue posting notices online in real time and work with residents on species selection where replanting is feasible.
The Board adjourned following the vote.
