Parks commission approves two street-tree removals and standardizes tree types for Nopal Street

The Santa Barbara Parks and Recreation Commission on Dec. 17 approved two separate recommendations from the Street Tree Advisory Committee to remove mature trees and set conditions for replacement planting.

Chair McGill and city staff presented the committee’s review of a request to remove an evergreen ash at 905 Flora Vista Drive. Staff summarized that the committee found inconclusive evidence that the tree caused the applicant’s reported water-service issues but noted the species’ propensity to self-seed and spread. “After review, they made a recommendation to approve the removal of the tree on the condition that a new tree be planted that can achieve 25 feet in height and maturity,” staff said. Commissioners debated the species’ regional invasiveness, the tree’s health and the weight of precedent from prior cases. Commissioner Aldana moved to…