Board upholds Public Works/Bureau of Urban Forestry decision to remove five Myrtle Street trees without replacement

The San Francisco Board of Appeals on May 11 denied an appeal by resident John Nolte challenging Public Works’ order to remove five ficus trees at 234 Myrtle Street without replacement, concluding the trees are not sustainable in place and that site constraints prevent equivalent replacements.

Appellant John Nolte presented photographs, measurements and argued construction activity and altered parking patterns damaged the trees and that basins and spacing could be adjusted to retain them. He urged the board to preserve mature street trees and suggested replacement basins similar to those used at a nearby Van Ness project.

Public Works and the Bureau of Urban Forestry (BUF) said the trees were planted without permits, exhibited historic and recent damage, and are located where narrow sidewalks, bay windows and utilities make healthy street‑tree replacement infeasible. Chris Buck of Urban Forestry said the site failed the department’s minimum planting standards and that the bureau concluded removal without in‑place replacement was appropriate; he told commissioners, “we do not believe that this is a sustainable place to plant street trees,” and noted the project sponsor and HOA supported the removal and an alternative landscape plan. Public Works will collect an in‑lieu planting fee ($2,350 per tree) to fund planting elsewhere.

After public testimony and cross‑examination the board voted 4–0 to deny the appeal and uphold the Public Works order authorizing removal without replacement.

Provenance: Item introduced at SEG 3323 and decision recorded at SEG 4112.