City of Mountain View Parks and Recreation and Urban Forestry Board Meeting - December 12, 2025

The Parks and Recreation and Urban Forestry Board met on December 12, 2025, at 6:00 PM (noting the agenda indicated a 3:00 PM start time but the meeting was called to order at approximately 6:08 PM). The board considered two heritage tree removal appeals, approved the previous meeting minutes, and honored outgoing Commissioner Steve Filios.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (November 17, 2024): The board unanimously approved the minutes with no public comment or commissioner questions. (Bryant, Felios, Sommer, Mitchner in favor; Davis absent.)

Public Comments & Testimony

• No public comments were made for items not on the agenda.

Discussion Items

Heritage Tree Appeal – 3440 Truman Avenue

• Tree: Monterey pine (Pinus radiata), approximately 20 inches diameter at breast height, rated in fair health and fair structure by staff.
• Appellant/Property Owner: Prithvi Raj (owner of the property) spoke in favor of removal, citing: (1) her two-year-old child’s severe skin allergies, which she correlated with tree sap; (2) nuisance from sap on the driveway, which is the only parking area (street parking prohibited during school hours); (3) previous root damage to the existing brick driveway, and concern that a new driveway and a home moved 7 feet closer will be damaged; and (4) the tree’s large burl and unbalanced canopy that could pose a fall risk toward the house.
• Staff Position (Russell Hansen, Urban Forest Manager): Recommended denial of removal. Staff found the tree’s health and structure were fair; no evidence of pest/disease or structural failure that could not be addressed by corrective pruning. The driveway can be repaired using a modular paver system that minimizes root disturbance. The child’s allergies were acknowledged but not medically linked to this specific tree via a clear allergy test. Staff stated that if additional medical evidence is provided, the application could be reconsidered sooner than the typical two-year moratorium.
• Commission Deliberation: Commissioners expressed sympathy for the child’s health concerns but found insufficient evidence linking allergies to the tree and noted the other issues (sap, parking, root damage) did not meet the city’s heritage tree removal criteria. They emphasized that staff’s analysis was thorough and that the tree could be preserved with pruning and driveway repair.
• Motion & Vote: Motion to adopt the resolution to deny the appeal and uphold staff’s decision. Unanimously approved (Bryant, Felios, Sommer, Mitchner in favor; Davis absent).

Heritage Tree Appeal – 2415 Benjamin Drive

• Tree: Fern pine (Podocarpus gracilior), approximately 22 inches diameter at breast height, rated in good health and fair structure by staff.
• Appellant: Jill Gordon (neighbor) was not present at the meeting; no representative spoke. The original applicant was the property owner.
• Background from Staff Report: The tree is located close to the property owner’s house (about 50 inches) and even closer to the neighbor’s garage (about 43 inches). The appellant (neighbor) had submitted receipts for a $59,000 sewer line replacement, which the neighbor believed was damaged by tree roots. The property owner also cited concerns about the tree’s proximity to a PG&E gas line and to structures.
• Staff Position: Recommended denial. Staff concluded that the tree is in good health and structure; the recently replaced sewer line (HDPE pipe) is unlikely to suffer root intrusion; the gas line is flexible, low pressure, and typically buried 24–36 inches, making root interference unlikely. No construction improvements were proposed adjacent to the tree. The tree provides significant neighborhood value.
• Commission Deliberation: Commissioners noted the tree’s aesthetic value and that the only potentially applicable removal criterion was utility interference, but staff’s explanation satisfied them that the risk is minimal. They also acknowledged the neighbor’s financial burden but reasoned that the sewer line replacement should be durable.
• Motion & Vote: Motion to adopt the resolution to deny the appeal and uphold staff’s decision. Unanimously approved (Bryant, Felios, Sommer, Mitchner in favor; Davis absent).

Commission and Staff Announcements

• Tree Lighting Event: Director Marchand reported a successful annual tree lighting on Monday, December 8, with a large crowd and cross-departmental support.
• New Staff: Gally Basson has been hired as a Community Services Project Coordinator, starting two weeks ago. She will serve as a liaison between Community Services and Public Works.
• Upcoming Meetings: The next meeting is January 21, 2026 (one week later than usual), starting at 6:00 PM. The board will review the next draft of the Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan and elect officers. February will return to the regular schedule with two heritage tree appeals and a review of trees at the Public Safety Building project.
• New Commissioner: City Council is expected to appoint Idaho Sylvester to fill the upcoming vacancy.

Farewell to Commissioner Steve Filios

• Commissioner Steve Filios completed his second term on the board (approximately 14 cumulative years of service, first serving in the late 1990s/early 2000s). Chair Mitchner, Commissioner Bryant, Commissioner Sommer, Vice Chair Michener, and Director Marchand all expressed gratitude for his balanced, pragmatic, and respectful contributions, his background as a teacher and youth coach, and his dedication to the city. Commissioner Filios thanked the board and staff, noting the positive changes he witnessed and encouraging continued involvement with the Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan and Recreation Master Plan.

Key Outcomes

• Vote 1 (3440 Truman Ave): 4-0 to deny appeal, uphold staff’s denial of heritage tree removal.
• Vote 2 (2415 Benjamin Dr): 4-0 to deny appeal, uphold staff’s denial of heritage tree removal.
• Minutes Approved: November 17, 2024 minutes approved unanimously.
• Next Steps: The board will reconvene on January 21, 2026, at 6:00 PM to discuss the Biodiversity and Urban Forest Plan and elect officers.