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Board upholds permit to remove two Valencia Street trees, conditions three large replacements
Summary
The Board upheld a Department of Public Works tree-removal permit for two mature trees in front of the Annunciation Cathedral, conditioned on the permit holder planting three replacement trees of at least 60-inch box size and coordinating placement with DPW; the vote was 4-1.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals on May 14 upheld a permit allowing the Annunciation Cathedral to remove two street trees on Valencia Street to accommodate construction, but conditioned approval on three replacement trees of a minimum 60-inch box size and DPW coordination for the additional tree placement.
Stacy McKenzie, representing neighbors, argued the removals were unnecessary and that construction could use the alley at Stephenson Street or staging options that would spare the trees. “This is insufficient reason to cut down community property,” McKenzie said, urging preservation based on public benefit and urban-forest values.
John Goldman, the cathedral’s architect, and other project representatives said the trees obstruct a planned curb cut and the swing of large cranes and concrete pumping equipment needed to build a 68-foot church and below‑grade garage. The permit holder proposed to plant large, code‑approved replacement trees; DPW Urban Forester Carla Short confirmed the hearing officer had approved removal subject to replacement with minimum 60-inch box trees.
Commissioner Honda moved to uphold the permit on the condition that the permit holder provide evidence that three replacement trees (each a minimum 60-inch box) could be planted and that DPW work with the appellant on the location of the third replacement tree. The motion passed 4-1 (Commissioner Huang dissenting).
