UCSF pledges far larger tree replacement plan for Parnassus project; Board approves revised plan

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on Feb. 8 approved a revised tree replacement plan from the University of California San Francisco for its Parnassus Heights hospital project, after negotiations with city agencies and an appellant produced a larger mitigation package.

UCSF director Ami Alden told the board that for the 28 street trees to be removed, the university will plant 56 street trees on city property and contribute a $242,000 in‑lieu fee so the city can plant additional trees where they are most needed, yielding what UCSF described as a total of about 161 replacement trees. Alden said the commitments build on an existing memorandum of understanding with the city and additional greening work UCSF has pledged in prior agreements.

Chris Buck of the Bureau of Urban Forestry described a prior appraisal process and an adjustment of the bureau’s valuation; DPW and UCSF said they had worked with the appellant and the neighborhood to identify candidate corridors and a contracting approach. Board members pressed DPW on accountability steps; DPW said it intends to issue a contract to plant roughly 105 street trees funded by the in‑lieu fee and to publicize progress so the public may monitor implementation.

Vice President Jose Lopez recused himself from the hearing on the item because his spouse is a UCSF employee. The board approved the revised plan and added a recommendation that the Bureau of Urban Forestry report back annually, with the motion carrying 4–0 (one recusal).