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Board approves removal of London plane at 560 Franklin Street after debate over driveway alignment and pruning history
Summary
The Mountain View Parks and Urban Forestry Board voted to deny an appeal and uphold staff approval of removing a London plane (≈24-inch diameter) at 560 Franklin St., citing repeated V-shaped pruning for power-line clearance, poor structure and driveway alignment problems under building permit 25 11295. The decision passed unanimously.
The City of Mountain View Parks, Recreation and Urban Forestry Board voted unanimously on June 17 to deny an appeal and uphold staff's approval to remove one heritage tree at 560 Franklin Street.
Forestry Manager Russell Hansel told the board the tree, a London plane (Platanus spp.) about 24 inches in diameter, showed "poor structure" after repeated V-shaped pruning done to meet power-line clearance and that the tree's position complicates a proposed driveway expansion. "We found the condition of the tree required its removal because of the V-shaped pruning by the PG&E contractor," Hansel said, noting that maintenance needs and conflicts with the electrical grid meant the tree would not realize its full potential.
The homeowner's representative and appellant, Timothy Lee, urged preservation in part for canopy and air-quality benefits. "I'm really a proponent of all our city chapters regarding street trees and heritage trees," Lee said, asking the board to explore alternatives.
Homeowner Robin Lynn and her builder explained that existing site constraints and a desire to widen the driveway apron from approximately 9 feet to 18 feet to accommodate two cars created alignment and root-impact concerns. Lynn framed the choice as "right tree, right place," arguing that a smaller replacement species under the power lines would be a better long-term outcome.
Commissioners questioned staff about alternative driveway configurations and the city's permitting process. Hansel said shifting the apron a few feet still risked major root loss and that public-works variances are typically handled administratively. Board members also discussed the fact that a PG&E contractor removed a nearby tree without permits, complicating mitigation options.
After deliberation, Commissioner Summer moved to adopt a resolution denying the appeal, thereby upholding staff's approval of the removal; the motion passed 5'0'00. The board's action allows the property owner to remove the heritage tree; staff noted PG&E has committed to remove the remaining stump of a previously removed tree and provide a replanting.
The decision follows staff's reading of criteria in the heritage-tree ordinance and the site-specific considerations recorded in staff documents, including reference to building permit 25 11295. The board directed staff to follow the typical permitting and implementation steps for removal and replanting.
The vote concludes the appeal for 560 Franklin; the homeowner may implement the approved removal under city conditions and permitting.
