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Contractor Webcor apologizes as Board weighs tree-removal appeal at 2465 Van Ness; board conditions permit on minimum 36" replacement
Summary
Neighbors accused the developer of removing protected street trees without protection; Webcor apologized, Urban Forestry and DBI described a confusing permit handoff, an administrative fine was issued, and the Board conditioned the permit on a minimum 36-inch box-size replacement tree with possible larger size after department review.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals on March 6 heard a contested appeal over removal of two London plane trees at 2465 Van Ness Avenue and set conditions for replacement trees after testimony from neighbors, the contractor and city departments.
Appellant Josh Klipp told the board that the project promised tree preservation during its 2015 approvals but later removed the street trees in late 2018 after the project obtained a permit. Klipp said the $10,000 administrative fine assessed by Public Works is inadequate for the scale of the loss and asked for additional remedies and compensation for his fees. "Developers should not be given white-glove treatment to destroy resources without meaningful consequence," Klipp said.
Counsel for the permit…
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