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Board allows removal of two city-maintained Amethyst Way trees, citing pedestrian safety and ADA concerns
Summary
The Board granted an appeal allowing removal of two city-maintained blackwood acacia trees at 33 Amethyst Way, finding sidewalk widths and repeated damage posed pedestrian and ADA concerns; the motion to overturn DPW's denial carried with recorded votes.
The Board of Appeals voted to grant an appeal at 33 Amethyst Way on May 18, allowing the removal of two city-maintained blackwood acacia trees adjacent to the property. The property owner argued the trees’ root systems repeatedly damaged the sidewalk, created trip hazards, encroached on roofs and blocked street lighting, and posed risks to underground utilities.
Arborist Roy Leggett described the two trees as planted in very small basins (approximately 2½ by 3 feet) and said they were “not in a sustainable location,” citing proximity to sewer and water laterals and repeated sidewalk cracking. Chris Buck of San Francisco Public Works explained city practice: because the sidewalk is only about 5 feet, 4 inches wide at this location, it would be difficult to replant appropriate replacement trees in situ and DPW had previously denied removal on the basis that the trees were still healthy.
Commissioners discussed trade-offs between preserving mature street trees and preventing recurring sidewalk damage and safety hazards. After public comment and rebuttals, Vice President Fung moved to grant the appeal and overturn DPW’s denial on public-safety/ADA grounds; the motion carried in the board’s roll call (result recorded as carrying with a vote that the clerk corrected to 4–0). The permit holder may be allowed to remove the two trees, subject to any follow-up conditions the department imposes for replacement landscaping or mitigation.
