Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Forestry Trees topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board continues appeal over removal of two Van Ness sycamores after Urban Forestry cites safety for heavy precast panels
Summary
An appellant asked the Board to revoke a permit that allowed removal of two mature London plane trees for a Webcor construction staging area; the Bureau of Urban Forestry defended the removal on safety grounds, reported a $10,150 administrative fine and agreed to return with options for larger replacement trees — the case was continued to March 6.
Joshua Klipp, the appellant, told the Board he had protested the project sponsor’s application to remove two healthy London plane trees at Van Ness and Union, saying the trees were explicitly spared in earlier Van Ness BRT planning and that public promises were broken when Public Works later granted a permit. He asked the Board to suspend permits, revoke approvals, require replanting in kind, and pursue civil and criminal penalties under Article 16.
Chris Buck, urban forester for the San Francisco Public Works Bureau of Urban Forestry, summarized the department’s decision to overturn a staff denial and approve removal on safety grounds. Buck explained that the project sponsor presented logistics for scaffolding, staging and crane lifts to place precast wall panels weighing about 30,000 pounds; the department concluded that leaving the trees in place could create a substantial safety hazard for workers and pedestrians. Buck said the department issued administrative penalties after appraising the trees and set the fine at $10,150; the applicant has 60 days to appeal that fine. Buck also described process confusions the department is tightening, including clearer references between resulting decisions and permit numbers.
Commissioners and staff questioned whether tree protection plans were in place before work began, whether the city could require in‑kind replacement of 25‑foot trees, and what enforcement levers would affect final job sign‑offs. Buck said tree protection was requested but he did not know whether it was installed as of the September hearing. He said replacement was conditioned in the permit (36‑inch box minimum) and that, if continued, the Bureau would report on the largest feasible replacement size and whether additional planting applications were advisable. The Board voted to continue the appeal to March 6 so Urban Forestry can evaluate largest replacement sizes and planting options.
