Monterey Appeals Hearing Board - January 29, 2026

The Monterey Appeals Hearing Board convened on January 29, 2026, at 10:00 AM to consider an appeal by Charlie Chell regarding the Monterey Forestry Division's denial of a permit to remove a Monterey pine at 814 Martin Street. The board also approved minutes from previous meetings. After hearing testimony from the applicant, city staff, and a public commenter, the board voted 3-0 to overturn the denial and allow removal with a two-to-one replacement requirement.

Consent Calendar

• Approved minutes from February 21, 2024 (roll call vote: all aye).
• Approved minutes from September 18, 2025 (roll call vote: all aye).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Vicky Williams, a neighbor on Martin Street, shared her own experience three years ago with a dangerous tree removal. She described the fear and anxiety homeowners face when a hazardous tree is denied removal and the financial burden. She urged the city to adjust tree management policies to address an aging forest, climate change, and insurance issues, warning that liability may fall on the city if a tree causes damage or loss of life.

Discussion Items

• Appeal of Charlie Chell: Mr. Chell appealed the forestry division's denial of a permit to remove a Monterey pine in his backyard. He argued that the tree is a hazard due to its lean, asymmetrical crown, and proximity to four occupied houses, citing private arborist hazard ratings of 10/12 and 11/12. He stated that the tree had lost a companion tree, making it more vulnerable to wind. He expressed frustration with the code, stating that he must wait until the tree falls to act. He also raised a potential conflict of interest involving Assistant Urban Forester Mike Taupe (whose father owns a tree service), which the city attorney addressed as legally unfounded under FPPC rules. Mr. Chell offered to replant trees but noted dwarf mistletoe issues in his backyard.
• City Staff Presentation: Assistant City Attorney Karen Cratley argued that the tree is healthy, as confirmed by a level 1 visual inspection by Forester Mike Taupe. Mr. Taupe testified that the tree showed vigorous growth, no obvious defects, and only early signs of bark beetle. He stated that preventative pruning could reduce risk. The city emphasized that the code prioritizes tree preservation and that the forester's denial was proper. Former forester Tys Norton recounted previous email exchanges with Mr. Chell in 2024 where the latter acknowledged the tree was healthy.
• Board Deliberation: Board members discussed the four criteria for appeal: visual prominence, aesthetic beauty, applicant anxiety, and mitigation. They noted the tree's age (estimated 60-70 years with a typical lifespan of 80 years) and the homeowner's anxiety. Chair Glenzer proposed a motion to overturn the denial with a two-to-one replacement of 15-gallon Monterey pines on the property, which was seconded and passed.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Overturn Denial (3-0): The board voted unanimously to overturn the city forester's denial of the tree removal permit for the Monterey pine at 814 Martin Street. The approval is conditioned on a two-to-one replacement ratio using 15-gallon Monterey pine trees planted on the same property. The board clarified that this decision does not imply the city did anything wrong in its initial denial.
• The meeting adjourned at 11:08 AM.