Atherton commission approves removal of three heritage trees at 84 Elena with required large-tree replacements

The Atherton Planning Commission voted Dec. 10 to approve removal of three heritage trees at 84 Elena while conditioning the approval on a specified large-tree replacement plan.

Town planner Britney Bendix said the request — continued from September — would accommodate a proposed 2,300-square-foot residence and a detached accessory building on a 1.24-acre flag lot. Staff recommended denying removal of two trees (a liquid amber and an Atlas cedar) and approving removal of a deodar cedar; the applicant later revised the proposal and offered an expanded replacement planting plan.

Town arborist Sally described the condition and setting of the trees: one tree (tree #3) appeared in decline and was singled out for removal; another stood on a mound with exposed roots and provided screening for neighbors. She explained the town’s process for assessing heritage-tree damage and the threshold for enhanced penalties if the tree later dies. “If the tree dies within 3 years, then we would go back and do a penalty of two times,” she said.

Applicant owner Amish Mehta and estate manager Amy Cray said the project focuses on accessory dwelling units and on-site usability rather than a second main residence, and they said they had redesigned the site after neighbor feedback. Mehta said the owners proposed a planting plan that would “over invest” in screening; staff and the arborist confirmed the updated plan showed two coast live oaks and six cathedral oaks in 36-inch boxes.

Commissioners discussed driveway circulation, screening, and how planting and final inspections would be enforced. Staff explained that final sign-off by the town arborist (and code-enforcement follow-up if screening is removed) would verify compliance with planting conditions.

A motion to approve removal of trees 1, 2 and 3 at 84 Elena, exempt the project from CEQA and require that the submitted replacement planting plan (including the 36-inch-box trees as shown in plans dated Dec. 2) be planted and verified at final passed on roll-call.

What happens next: The applicant must plant the replacement trees as a condition of approval and obtain final verification from the town arborist; code enforcement can require replanting if screening is removed after finalization.