Committee continues tree-protection ordinance after concerns about hazard-tree process

The committee continued a proposed Public Works Code amendment—sponsored by Supervisor Safai—that would eliminate administrative objections to certain street-tree removals, require Public Works to plant replacement street trees within 120 days of removal, require replacement trees of equal or larger diameter when removals were done without a permit, and require tree protection plans and upfront replacement-cost estimates.

Safai framed the ordinance as a response to illegal tree removals that have reduced the city’s canopy and described proposed penalties: first violation would be the tree replacement value or $10,000 (whichever is greater), and repeat violations within a year would carry $20,000 or double the replacement value. Director Carla Short of Public Works said hazard-tree appeals have increased since notices were posted online and that some trees failed while facing appeals.

Supervisors and advocates raised concerns about eliminating the 15-day public-hearing step for hazardous trees and asked for further outreach and refinement. The committee voted to continue the item to the call of the chair to allow additional stakeholder meetings and to align the matter with a separate Public Safety and Neighborhood Services (PSNS) hearing on urban-forest recommendations.