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Board upholds DPW denial of tree removals at Mission Senior Housing after neighborhood split
Summary
The Board of Appeals denied an appeal seeking removal of four plane trees outside Mission Senior Housing at 1855 Fifteenth Street, upholding the Department of Public Works' decision after hearing divided neighborhood testimony and a Housing Authority reversal on support for removal.
On March 16 the Board of Appeals voted 4–0 to deny an appeal by neighborhood advocates who had sought Department of Public Works permission to remove four London plane trees in front of the Mission Senior Housing property at 1855 Fifteenth Street.
Claire Bright, representing a group of neighbors supportive of replacing the trees with evergreens, argued the existing plane trees had been improperly pruned and provided months of barren canopy. “We are appealing tonight the Department of Public Works order number 179025,” Bright told the board, saying she collected more than 100 signatures supporting replacement and volunteered to raise funds and recruit maintenance volunteers.
Opponents, including on‑site residents and tenant-association representatives, urged the board to preserve the trees. Marie Swanson, property manager for the San Francisco Housing Authority, said the Housing Authority ultimately decided not to support removal after the Department denied the permit at the departmental hearing and after learning the trees were not dead. DPW Urban Forestry staff told the board the trees had been recommended for replacement originally at the housing authority's request but that DPW would be available to advise on proper pollarding and maintenance.
Board deliberations emphasized neighborhood input and the Housing Authority's change in position. Commissioners expressed sympathy for neighbors who prefer more leafy species but also noted the Housing Authority's liability and long-term maintenance responsibilities. The board denied the appeal and upheld DPW’s decision.
Next steps
DPW said it will provide guidance and training on proper pruning techniques to Housing Authority staff if requested. The Housing Authority indicated it will monitor the trees over the next two seasons and re-evaluate if health declines. The decision leaves DPW's denial intact.
