Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Forestry topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board allows Vallejo Street tree removal but requires two 36‑inch magnolia replacements
Summary
After appeals over two Chinese elms at 2856 Vallejo Street, the Board of Appeals granted the property owner's request to remove and replace the trees, conditioning approval on replacement with two 36‑inch‑box magnolias to address safety and drainage concerns.
The Board of Appeals granted an appeal by property owners at 2856 Vallejo Street to remove one of two Chinese elm street trees after they argued the trees created public‑safety hazards and recurring flooding in residential garages. San Francisco Public Works had authorized removal of the east tree but denied removal of the larger west tree; appellants sought a full replacement.
Appellants described repeated leaf accumulation in driveway drains that caused flooding, slippery sidewalks used by elderly neighbors, and a canopy that would overshadow any newly planted replacement. Public Works staff and the bureau’s urban forester said the larger tree provided substantial ecosystem services and was in good condition, but acknowledged replacement with magnolia would reduce leaf‑drop problems.
Commissioner Rick Swig moved to grant the appeal with conditions: allow removal of both trees on the condition that both be replaced with 36‑inch‑box magnolia trees (species selected by the department during the hearing as acceptable). The board adopted the motion on a 5–0 vote. The decision requires the owner to install the specified replacements and cites safety as the basis for the exception to normal retention policy.
Why this matters: The case illustrates how the city balances urban‑forest policy (retaining mature canopy) with site‑specific safety and drainage problems and shows how mitigation (large replacement trees) is used to reach compromise.
