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Board of Appeals adopts letter urging supervisors to address agency disregard of tree‑appeal deadlines
Summary
After testimony that a city agency ignored a 15‑day appeal window for a tree removal order, the Board of Appeals unanimously adopted a letter to the Board of Supervisors seeking authority or remedies to prevent future bypasses of appeal deadlines and asked that the mayor's office be copied.
The San Francisco Board of Appeals adopted, 3–0, a letter to the Board of Supervisors calling attention to an incident in which the Recreation and Parks Department reportedly disregarded the board’s 15‑day appeal window for a tree removal order (appeal 20‑57, UN Plaza). Commissioners said the episode damaged the integrity of the appeals process and recommended the supervisors consider remedies to ensure city agencies follow the same deadlines that bind members of the public.
Why it matters: Commissioners described deliberate agency noncompliance as undermining public trust in administrative review. Several members urged clarity about sanctions and about whether the city’s rules need legislative change to prevent recurrence. Public commenters warned that any attempt to change code to remove appeals would reduce community oversight of tree removals and community tree stewardship efforts.
Public comment and potential mayoral action: Public commenter Josh Klipp said he was told the mayor’s office may seek to revise Public Works Code Article 16 to eliminate the right to appeal tree removals sought by city departments; he warned that removing appeal rights would cut community engagement and tree protections. Michael Nolte and others called for transparency and for notice if any code change is proposed.
Board action and follow‑up: President John Trezwina moved to approve the letter with the addition of copying the mayor’s office; the board adopted the letter 3–0 and the president said he would send it the following day. Commissioners asked board staff to track responses and to consider whether the supervisors or mayor should pursue statutory or administrative fixes to sanction agencies that disregard appeal windows.
Quoted on the record: "When a city department admittedly and intentionally broke a law, no matter how seemingly trivial... the Board of Supervisors should hear our comment," public commenter Josh Klipp said. Commissioner Rick Swig described the incident as a breach of integrity and urged the board to call it to supervisors’ attention.
Outcome: Letter to Board of Supervisors adopted 3–0 with mayor's office copied; staff to send letter and track any responses or proposed code changes.
