Board overturns Public Works denial and allows additional tree removals along Owens Street in Mission Bay

On Aug. 8 the San Francisco Board of Appeals granted an appeal by Mission Bay Commercial Corporation and directed the Bureau of Urban Forestry to issue a removal permit covering 14 additional eucalyptus trees along Owens Street in Mission Bay, adding to previously approved removals for a total removal and replacement plan affecting 24 trees.

Pam Lewis, speaking for Mission Bay Commercial Corporation, introduced an arborist from Arborwell who reported on-site inspections finding multiple eucalyptus with structural defects, leaning trunks and other issues. "I found 13 eucalyptus along the street frontage...the trees range from fair to poor," the arborist said and recommended removal and replacement with species better suited to the urban environment, such as Ginkgo biloba.

Appellant representatives argued that online images had been relied on by staff and that a site inspection shows many trees in poor condition. Panel discussion noted that while the city owns the trees, a local maintenance corporation had been responsible for their care and that planting decisions for new trees should be approved by Urban Forestry.

President Fung moved to grant the appeal, overturn the Public Works order, and direct the Bureau of Urban Forestry to issue a tree removal permit for the 14 trees cited; commissioners voted in favor and directed that replacement species, size and specifications be approved by Urban Forestry. The board recorded that removals should be accompanied by a coherent replacement plan to restore street tree planting with species appropriate for a busy hospital-adjacent corridor.

The board's action requires Urban Forestry to finalize species and planting-size specifications and to issue the necessary permits for removal and replacement in consultation with the appellant.