Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Urban Forestry topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board of Appeals approves removal at 1190 Mission after parties reach agreement
Summary
The San Francisco Board of Appeals on July 11 approved Swinerton Builders’ application to remove five trees at 1190 Mission Street after the developer agreed to pay tree value and plant 10 replacement trees (36-inch box), with species and placement to be determined by the Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Urban Forestry (BUF).
The San Francisco Board of Appeals on July 11 approved a negotiated settlement allowing the removal of five trees at 1190 Mission Street, resolving an appeal by Swinerton Builders against the Department of Public Works, Bureau of Urban Forestry.
Carla Short, Urban Forester for the Department of Public Works, told the board the department had concluded the existing trees were in poor condition and more suitable for removal than preservation. The developer, represented by project manager Ethan Roshan, agreed to pay the value of the trees; in exchange DPW agreed not to oppose removal if the board overruled the department’s denial and imposed conditions.
President Chris Huang moved to grant the appeal with conditions requiring 10 replacement trees in 36-inch boxes; DPW will determine species and placement. The motion carried unanimously, 4-0. Victor Pacheco recorded the roll call and the board stated the decision was rendered on the basis of the parties’ agreement.
The board’s order overruled DPW’s denial and authorized removal subject to the replacement planting condition. DPW staff said the required replacement size under code is a 24-inch box but that the parties had proposed 36-inch boxes and the department would coordinate precise locations with the developer.
The case was presented as a negotiated settlement rather than a contested victory for either side; the board stressed that the decision was based on the written agreement filed with the board.
Next steps: DPW and the developer will finalize species and placement details per the board’s condition, and DPW will monitor compliance with the replacement-tree requirement.
