San Francisco Public Works

Making San Francisco a beautiful, livable, vibrant, and sustainable city.

City and County of San Francisco San Francisco Public Works

GENERAL - DIRECTOR'S OFFICE

City Hall, Room 348 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F., CA 94102

(415) 554-6920 www.sfdpw.org

Edwin M. Lee, Mayor Mohammed Nuru, Director

DPW Order No: 183443

The Director of Public Works held a Public Hearing on Monday, February 23rd

, 2015

commencing at 5:30 PM at City Hall, Room 416, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco,

CA 94102. The hearing was to consider Order No. 183357 to consider the removal of ten (10)

privately maintained street trees with replacement of ten (10) privately maintained street trees

adjacent to the property at 201 Spear St.

Findings:

Urban Forestry staff testified that the application to remove the trees was approved at the

staff level because the arborist report included with the removal application cited

concerns about the structural stability of the trees that are located in sub-sidewalk

planters. The report also noted that the tree grates within the tree basins are beginning to

girdle the trees. Urban Forestry staff testified that the vigor of the trees is good but the

species is fast growing and confined to small, underground planters. Urban Forestry staff

stated that they were surprised by how large the trees have grown, considering that they

are located within small, confined planters.

The applicant stated that the planters restrict the normal growth of the roots, confining them to a small space and therefore undermining the structural integrity of the trees.

There is concern that the trees are beginning to damage the sidewalk and concern that

leaks could be possible or the planters could get damaged or structurally compromised.

It was stated on the tree removal application that ten replacement trees would be planted. The applicant now seeks to replace six out of the ten trees if approved for removal and

Urban Forestry staff at the hearing stated that this information should have been included

on the public removal notice but was not brought to their attention until the notices had

already been posted. If removal of ten trees is sought with replacement of six trees and

not ten, a new public notice would need to be posted for 30 days to better inform the

public.

Public comment received in writing and at the hearing focused on the benefit that the trees provide in this downtown setting, that this row of trees is striking and replacement

trees would take a long time to grow to this size, and concerns that the sidewalk damage

that was referenced appeared to be very minimal. Testimony was received from the

Rincon Point Neighbors Association against the removals.

San Francisco Public Works

Making San Francisco a beautiful, livable, vibrant, and sustainable city.

The hearing officer visited the site on the morning after the hearing with the Urban Forester from Public Works. Access to the basement parking garage was provided and

the hearing officer found the trees to appear to be in good health and damage to the

sidewalk minimal. The sub-sidewalk planters were found to be in good condition with no

leaks or visible damage. It was discovered that the trees on the Howard St. frontage of the

property are also located within sub-sidewalk planters and were found to be in similar

condition, with no visible leaks or damage.

Recommendation:

After consideration of testimony presented at the hearing and a field visit, the recommendation is

to deny the permit to remove the ten street trees along the Spear St. frontage of the property. It is

recommended that the metal grates be carefully removed from around the trunks of the trees to

prevent additional girdling and that the repairs to the sidewalk be made where necessary.

Appeal: This Order may be appealed to the Board of Appeals within 15 days of March 25, 2015.

Board of Appeals

1650 Mission, Room 304

San Francisco, CA 94103

(between Van Ness and Duboce Avenues)

Phone: 415.575.6880

Fax: 415.575.6885

Regular office hours of the Board of Appeals are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm.

Appointments may be made for filing an appeal by calling 415-575-6880. All appeals must be

filed in person. For additional information on the San Francisco Board of Appeals and to view

the Appeal Process Overview, please visit their website at

http://www.sfgov3.org/index.aspx?page=763

3/23/2015

X Mohammed NuruNuru, Mohammed

Approver 1

Signed by: Nuru, Mohammed