Planning commission approves removal of declining Raywood ash at 1264 Ocean Avenue

The Emeryville Planning Commission on April 23 approved a tree removal permit for a Raywood ash at 1264 Ocean Avenue, finding that the tree’s health and its conflict with a proposed driveway and overhead utilities make removal the most feasible option. Vice Chair Haney moved to adopt the resolution to approve the permit, and Commissioner Gould seconded; the motion passed with five votes in favor, one recusal and one absence.

The Community Development Director told commissioners the tree was assessed by the project arborist and the city consulting arborist, both of whom described the tree’s condition as poor — noting extensive twig and branch dieback, limited rootable soil, trunk wounds and growth stunting. The staff presentation said the proposed new driveway would conflict with the tree’s root zone and the existing high‑voltage utility pole and lines overhead, creating a high risk of further damage to the tree if retained.

“The city consulting arborist supported removal of the Raywood ash on the grounds that there would be conflict with the root zone, and that Raywood ashes are not an appropriate species under power lines … and they're very susceptible to ash dieback,” the Community Development Director said.

If the permit is finalized, the applicant must obtain an encroachment permit from Public Works and submit a replacement tree plan that meets species, size and rootable soil‑volume standards. Staff said the applicant must also pay a replacement‑value fee of $1,000; those funds go into the city’s urban forestry fund and are allocated by Public Works according to a prior tree‑priority study. Staff noted an equity lens is used in prioritizing replacements, but specific allocation criteria were not provided at the meeting.

Commissioners asked whether undergrounding the utility lines had been considered; staff said it had been discussed briefly but was not feasible for the scope of this small, by‑right two‑unit project. Commissioners also raised a broader concern that repeatedly replacing large, mature trees with smaller species that fit under power lines could reduce canopy cover and neighborhood cooling over time. Staff and the applicant said the replacement tree proposed is a smaller species (the applicant proposed a purple plum) and that, where possible, Public Works will identify sites to compensate for canopy loss across the city.

Vice Chair Haney made the motion to approve the staff recommendation. The roll call vote was: Commissioners Chafe, Gould and Rivera — Aye; Vice Chair Haney — Aye; Chair Wax — Aye; Commissioner Small — recused; Commissioner Martinez — absent. The commission closed the item and returned to the agenda.