San Francisco Board denies tree removal appeal pending housing project confirmation

The San Francisco Board of Appeals convened on July 4, 2025, to address two significant matters: the appeal regarding the cancellation of permits for a historic property at 245 Marina Boulevard and the removal of a significant tree at 3832 Eighteenth Street.

In the first case, the Board reviewed an appeal from the owner of 245 Marina Boulevard, a two-story historic dwelling constructed in 1931. The appeal sought to overturn the cancellation of a demolition permit and an alteration permit. The Planning Department presented evidence indicating that the owner had failed to make necessary changes to the design plans over a span of 12 years, which did not comply with the planning code or the neighborhood's historic character. The department requested that the Board deny the appeal, citing ongoing incompatibility with the residential design guidelines. After deliberation, the Board unanimously voted to uphold the cancellation of the permits, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the integrity of the historic district.

The second matter involved an appeal concerning the removal of an avocado tree to facilitate the construction of a 19-unit housing project. The appellant, representing concerned neighbors, argued that the tree should not be removed until there was clarity on the project's future, given ongoing disputes about its size and approval status. The permit holder's representative contended that the removal was necessary under state law, as the tree posed potential conflicts with the planned construction. The Bureau of Urban Forestry acknowledged the tree's poor placement but suggested conditioning the removal on the issuance of a demolition permit to ensure the tree would not be cut down prematurely.

After hearing public comments and further discussions, the Board ultimately decided to grant the appeal with conditions. They stipulated that the tree's removal would only occur after the issuance of a demolition permit, along with an assessment of the tree's value at $3,000 to be paid into the city's adopt-a-tree fund. This decision reflects the Board's commitment to balancing development needs with environmental considerations and community concerns.