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Board permits removal of large oak for homeowner, requires two 15-gallon replacements and CEQA clearance
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Summary
The Appeals Hearing Board granted Scott Walter Meyer’s request to remove a large coast live oak near his home, 3-0, conditioning the permit on planting two 15-gallon replacement coast live oaks within 30 days and issuance only after the planning department files a CEQA notice of exemption.
The Monterey Appeals Hearing Board voted 3-0 on April 28 to permit removal of a large coast live oak at the request of homeowner Scott Walter Meyer, with conditions requiring two replacement 15-gallon coast live oaks to be planted within 30 days and that the permit issue only after the planning department files a CEQA notice of exemption.
Meyer (the appellant) described persistent safety and livability issues from a large oak whose lower limbs overhang his house, scratch the roof in storms, and make portions of the home unusable during high winds. He said prior pruning efforts were insufficient and on-site staff (Tice Norton) advised that removing major limbs could imbalance the tree. Meyer said he and his family would be willing to plant replacement trees.
City staff (S9) described the tree as healthy with no visible defects and recommended denial based on forestry standards and the value of mature canopy; staff noted pruning could mitigate risk and reiterated the property is in a moderate — not very high — fire severity zone. Forestry staff discussed the technical limits of pruning (significant canopy removal would be required to meet safety standards) and potential insurance or risk-management concerns raised by the homeowner.
During deliberations the board weighed homeowner safety and anxiety alongside the ecological and community value of a mature coast live oak. One board member proposed allowing removal with a replacement requirement and a CEQA condition; the motion specified two 15-gallon coast live oak trees to be planted within 30 days of removal and that the permit be issued only after the planning department issues a notice of exemption under CEQA. Staff explained 15-gallon stock is preferable to smaller (5-gallon) stock for establishment.
The board’s motion passed on a 3-0 roll call vote. The board recorded the planting timeline (typically 30 days) and the CEQA issuance condition in the motion. The permit will be processed by planning and forestry staff in accordance with those conditions.
