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Santa Fe Springs commissioners continue appeal over parkway tree after resident cites son's autism
Summary
The commission continued an appeal over removal of an Australian willow at 10812 Flen Avenue to July 13 to allow commissioners to inspect the site; Public Works Director recommended reaffirming denial after staff found the tree did not meet removal criteria.
The Santa Fe Springs Planning Commission continued an appeal on June 8 from a homeowner seeking removal of a parkway tree at 10812 Flen Avenue, sending the item to the commission’s July 13 meeting so members can inspect the tree and review additional information.
Public Works Director James Enriquez told the commission the resident asked the city to remove the tree on Nov. 15, 2025; the director denied the removal on Apr. 21, 2026 and the resident filed an appeal on Apr. 24. Enriquez said staff inspected the tree, which is an Australian willow that is listed in the city’s parkway master plan, and found it did not meet the adopted removal criteria (not dead or dying, no disease or infestation, not damaged beyond repair and not creating a public hazard). Enriquez said minor sidewalk uplift exists but historically has been remedied by grinding.
Resident Leslie Castanos told the commission the tree has caused emotional harm to her household. "I have a severely autistic son that has become fearful of it," Castanos said, describing an incident in which a sticky dropping hit her son’s head. Castanos said she would pay to remove the tree and asked the commission to allow removal without replanting.
Why the commission continued the matter
Commissioners expressed sympathy for the resident’s circumstances but emphasized the need to apply the city’s removal criteria consistently and to consider the city’s tree master plan and urban canopy goals. Several commissioners recommended an on‑site review of the block’s street trees and additional data from the city’s tree inventory before making a final decision. The commission voted unanimously to continue the item to July 13, 2026.
Key facts
• Address: 10812 Flen Avenue.
• Species: Australian willow (staff said the species is on the city’s approved list for that street per the parkway master plan).
• Timeline: removal request received Nov. 15, 2025; director denied Apr. 21, 2026; appeal filed Apr. 24, 2026.
• Staff findings: not dead/dying, no disease or insect infestation, not damaged beyond restoration, and no evidence the tree is substantially damaging public structures (curb/gutter); last trimmed in August 2023.
• Policy options: under the city’s appeals policy, the commission can (a) reverse the director and have the city pay for removal if funds permit, (b) grant a resident removal permit allowing the resident to remove a tree at their expense (with insurance and inspection requirements), or (c) reaffirm the director’s denial.
What next
The commission asked staff to provide more information about the city’s tree inventory and suggested commissioners view the block and tree planting patterns before the July 13 meeting. The item will return to the July 13 agenda for a final determination.
