Board of Appeals denies request to remove street tree at 1632 Twentieth St.

The San Francisco Board of Appeals voted unanimously to deny an appeal by homeowner Jill Jarrett seeking removal and replacement of a street tree outside 1632 Twentieth St.

Jarrett told the board she and her family have serious safety concerns about the existing street tree’s location, saying it “creates something that I consider very unsafe” for drivers and pedestrians because of limited sight lines and its contact with low-voltage utility lines. Her counsel, Justin Zucker, asked the board to allow removal of the nonconforming tree and replacement with a species that conforms to city guidelines.

Chris Buck of the Bureau of Urban Forestry acknowledged the tree sits under utility lines and has caused some sidewalk damage, but said he did not see evidence of an imminent branch failure and emphasized the tree’s canopy provides screening and environmental benefits. “We still ask at this time that you deny the appeal and keep the tree,” Buck said, noting that while the species is not ideal under power lines, the bureau did not find a compelling public-safety reason to remove it now.

Commissioners questioned whether routine maintenance or pruning could address the concerns and whether replacement species could be identified if removal were approved. Vice President Anne Lazarus moved to deny the appeal, saying the permit was properly issued and that evidence did not show a sufficient reason to remove the tree. The motion carried 5-0.

The board’s decision upholds Public Works’ order denying a permit to remove the tree and keeps open the usual options for the property owner — including coordinating on maintenance and replacement species — should conditions change.