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Board upholds DPW denial of three Forest Hill Monterey pines, orders six‑month alternating monitoring
Summary
After hours of testimony for and against removing three mature Monterey pines, the Board of Appeals upheld the Department of Public Works denial but ordered alternating six‑month monitoring by the city and Forest Hill Association (4–1).
The Board of Appeals upheld the Department of Public Works’ decision denying a removal permit for three Monterey pines in the Forest Hill neighborhood, but added a monitoring condition requiring the Bureau of Urban Forestry and the Forest Hill Association to alternate inspections every six months.
Appellant Maria Elena Hanley told the board the trees had suffered repeated large limb failures and presented photographs and an arborist report, saying: “Trees are vitally important, but nothing, nothing is more important than public safety and human lives.” She described multiple limb failures that damaged cars and closed streets.
Carla Short, representing the Bureau of Urban Forestry, said inspectors found the trees mature but not hazardous and noted a history of annual monitoring by the neighborhood association. “We do not feel that that lean is due to shifting of the tree… we do not feel that it is likely to fall down anytime in the near future,” Short said.
Neighbors and association leaders gave mixed testimony. The Forest Hill Association said it would take no formal position after internal review; several neighbors urged preservation while some immediate neighbors supported removal. The Board voted 4–1 to uphold DPW’s denial but to require more frequent city monitoring to catch decline early.
