Public Works Order No: 186482 for 1526 Masonic Ave.

City and County of San Francisco San Francisco Public Works GENERAL - DIRECTOR'S OFFICE City Hall, Room 348 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, S.F., CA 94102 (415) 554-6920 www.SFPublicWorks.org Edwin M. Lee, Mayor Mohammed Nuru, Director Public Works Order No: 186482 The Director of Public Works held a Public Hearing on Monday, August 28, 2017 commencing at 5:30 PM at City Hall, Room 416, 1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, San Francisco, CA 94102. The hearing was to consider Order No. 186251 to consider the removal of one (1) significant tree on private property with replacement adjacent to 1526 Masonic Ave. Findings: The property owner submitted a tree removal permit application and after the tree was closely evaluated, The Bureau of Urban Forestry (BUF) staff denied the removal of one (1) Deodar Cedar (Cedrus deodara) because the tree is healthy and sustainable. The reasons for removal stated on the application was that the tree roots are damaging the foundation of their historic 1910 Maybeck home and causing damage to their front entry brickwork . At the hearing, Urban Forestry staff testified that the tree is healthy, sustainable and shows no evidence of foundation damage. At the hearing approximately 1 member of the public testified against the proposed removals citing their concerns about the impact of the loss of the healthy and sustainable tree. They stated that the tree was to be removed without clear evidence of foundation damage and the brickwork could be repaired without removing the tree. The property owner testified at the hearing to explain their reason for seeking the removal of the trees and cited their concerns about public safety, foundation damage, and damage to the front entry brick work. The tree is a large stature tree and planted just a few feet away from the base of the foundation to the house. It is located within a small walkway at the front of the property. While the tree’s health is good, both in vigor and tree structure, the proximity to the foundation and front of the house is problematic, long-term. The tree is clearly the wrong species (large stature at maturity, and still expected to get much larger) planted much too close to the base of the house. Granting removal to prevent property damage is reasonable and consistent with how similar cases have been handled. Recommendation: After consideration of letters and testimonies presented at the hearing and multiple site visits, the recommendation is to overrule BUF’s recommendation and allow the tree removal with the replacement of one 24” box tree if it meets the tree planting guidelines and required clearances. Appeal: This Order may be appealed to the Board of Appeals within 15 days of October 4, 2017. Board of Appeals 1650 Mission, Room 304 San Francisco, CA 94103 (between Van Ness and Duboce Avenues) Phone: 415.575.6880 Fax: 415.575.6885 Regular office hours of the Board of Appeals are Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Appointments may be made for filing an appeal by calling 415-575-6880. All appeals must be filed in person. For additional information on the San Francisco Board of Appeals and to view the Appeal Process Overview, please visit their website at: http://sfgov.org/bdappeal/ 10/3/2017 X Mohammed Nuru Nuru, Mohammed Approver 1 Signed by: Nuru, Mohammed