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Commission approves conditional removal at 1580 Grama Road, denies removal at 230 San Julian, and updates Pescadero Drive species list
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Summary
The commission approved the Street Tree Advisory Committee's recommendation to remove a hazardous river red gum at 1580 Grama Road conditioned on planting a 30–35 ft broadleaf canopy replacement, denied removal of a deodar cedar at 230 San Julian after staff said mitigation was feasible, and modified Pescadero Drive's street‑tree designation to include eastern redbud, African tulip and pearl acacia.
The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed three street‑tree agenda items on March 25 and acted on each after staff presentations and discussion.
For 1580 Grama Road, the Street Tree Advisory Committee reported a history of significant branch failures from a large river red gum that recently damaged electrical infrastructure. Committee representative Mr. Slack said the tree is otherwise in good health but that the most recent branch failure and risk to a power pole justified removal. The committee recommended conditional removal with a required replacement broadleaf canopy tree that could reach 30–35 feet at maturity. After clarifying questions about what "broadleaf" means and the practical purpose of a 30–35 foot range, Commissioner Ramsey moved to concur with the recommendation; the motion was seconded and the commission voted to approve the conditional removal.
The commission then reviewed a request to remove a mature deodar cedar at 230 San Julian Avenue. Mr. Slack told commissioners the applicant cited cracked walkways and surface roots as primary concerns. After an on‑site inspection the committee recommended denial because visible hardscape problems appeared manageable through mitigation — including targeted root pruning and hardscape repair — and because pruning could substantially reduce debris and nuisance impacts. Commissioner Clark moved to deny the removal per the committee recommendation; the motion was seconded and the commission approved the denial.
Finally, staff presented a proposed modification to the street‑tree species designation for Pescadero Drive in the Hidden Valley neighborhood. Staff explained the existing designation (soap bark) produced a columnar tree that offered limited shade and that long‑term turnover among short‑lived purple leaf plums created opportunities to adopt more shade‑providing species. Staff recommended adding three species — eastern redbud, African tulip tree and pearl acacia — as appropriate for the narrow parkways; commissioners asked about mature heights and confirmed the choices are a biodiversity improvement for that street. The commission approved the modification by motion and second.
Each item passed by voice vote; no recorded roll‑call tallies were included in the minutes provided at the meeting.
