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Board upholds denial of fern‑pine removal at 2415 Benjamin Drive
Summary
The Urban Forestry Board upheld staff findings that a Podocarpus (fern pine) at 2415 Benjamin Dr. is in good health and does not meet heritage‑tree removal criteria; the appeal was denied 4–0 (Chair Davis absent). Appellant absent; staff noted prior sewer work and recommended mitigation options over removal.
The Mountain View Urban Forestry Board voted to deny an appeal to remove a heritage tree at 2415 Benjamin Drive after staff said the tree is healthy and removal criteria were not met.
Russell Hanson, urban forest manager, reported the tree is a Podocarpus (fern pine) about 21–22 inches in diameter at 54 inches above grade and that staff assessed its canopy and structure as good to fair. Hanson corrected a memo typo during the presentation, noting a measured 43 inches to the neighbor’s garage (the memo mistakenly said feet). He also noted PG&E gas‑line markings near the tree and said typical polyethylene gas service lines are flexible and usually installed 24–36 inches deep, reducing likelihood of damage from roots.
No appellant made in‑person comments; the record included invoices and other backup with some redactions. Commissioners asked staff whether sewer replacement work in 2024 might have been related to roots; Hanson said the 2024 replacement appears to have used HDPE pipe, which reduces future root intrusion and may be covered by warranty, although he did not have warranty details available.
Commissioners called the street and the tree an asset and said staff’s evaluation did not support removal. A motion to adopt a resolution denying the appeal and upholding staff’s decision to deny removal of the heritage tree at 2415 Benjamin Drive carried by a 4–0 vote of present members (Commissioners Bryant, Filios, Summer and Vice Chair Michener); Chair Jared Davis was absent.
The record shows an invoice or invoices related to sewer work referenced in the backup (approximately $59,000 appears in redacted receipts included in the record); the transcript does not provide a detailed itemization or confirm what portion, if any, was attributable to tree roots.
