Mountain View Parks, Recreation and Urban Forestry Board Meeting - June 18, 2026
Mountain View Parks, Recreation and Urban Forestry Board Meeting - June 18, 2026
The Parks, Recreation and Urban Forestry Board met on June 18, 2026 to hear two heritage tree removal appeals and approve the fiscal year 2026-27 work plan. The board deliberated on tree health, safety, and the balance between preservation and development. Key decisions included denying both appeals, thereby upholding staff recommendations.
Discussion Items
1. Heritage Tree Removal Appeal – 560 Franklin Street
- Staff recommended approval of removal for a London plane tree (24-inch diameter, fair health, poor structure due to V-shaped pruning by PGE). The tree impeded a planned driveway expansion and was deemed a high risk for limb failure. The applicant (Robin Lynn) supported removal, citing long-term safety, biodiversity, and code compliance. The appellant (Mr. Lee) argued for preservation, emphasizing the tree's shade and community value.
- Public comment from Bill Lambert supported staff's position.
- The board voted 4-1 to deny the appeal, allowing the tree's removal (Commissioner Bryant dissented).
2. Heritage Tree Removal Appeal – 2714 Preston Drive
- Staff recommended denial of removal for a Monterey pine (38-inch diameter, good health with some red turpentine beetle activity). They argued the tree could be saved with chemical treatment after removal of an adjacent infested pine. The appellant (Norm Steinberg) sought removal of both trees, citing rapid disease progression and safety risks.
- Public comment from Brett Steinberg emphasized safety.
- The board voted 5-0 to deny the appeal, supporting staff's plan to treat and monitor the tree. They noted that if conditions worsen, the owner could seek expedited review.
3. Fiscal Year 2026-27 Work Plan
- Staff presented the annual work plan, including ongoing and new items such as Thompson Mini Park concept, recreation financial assistance review, and biodiversity plan updates. Commissioners requested a mid-year update on the Parks and Recreation Strategic Plan be added to the work plan.
- Amendment added a line item for a high-level strategic plan update in May 2027.
- The board approved the amended work plan unanimously (5-0) and forwarded it to City Council.
Key Outcomes
- 560 Franklin Street appeal: Denied (4-1 vote); tree removal permitted.
- 2714 Preston Drive appeal: Denied (5-0 vote); tree #1 to be treated and preserved.
- FY 2026-27 Work Plan: Approved (5-0) with amendment to include strategic plan update; forwarded to council.
- The board will recess until September 9, 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Okay, I'm now gonna call the order the June, or I'm sorry, the Wednesday, June 17th, 2026 meeting of City of Mountain Views Parks Recreation and Urban Forestry Board. Allison, let's conduct a roll call. Okay, we have Commissioner Bryant, Commissioner Davis, Commissioner Sylvester, here, Vice Chair Summer, here, and Chair. We have this is our last meeting of the year. We have a little musical company. Let's see. Uh, we'll now go on to the uh approval the minutes from the June 10th meeting, which was just last week. So this is going to be absolutely recovered pretty well probably from then. Um first of all, I just want to see if there's any public comment on the June 17th or June 10th. With that, uh, bring it back to the commission to see if anybody would like to make a motion. So we'll comment first. Comment first. Tell me if I'm the minutes indicate a uh this approval or motion to uh postpone the meeting. I think so. Yeah, we did vote. No, I'm something. So I probably mumbled it, so if you didn't know that, I can update that and I can bring them back the next time. Well, we can do that. Yeah, I can change that. I'm sorry, I did not hear that. Um it was to continue item 5.1 to a date to be determined, and you voted no. Okay. So I'll make a motion. So, all right. Okay, don't you? Okay, we have Commissioner Bryant. Commissioner Davis. Yes. Commissioner Sylvester, Vice Chair Summer, yes, and Chair Mitchers. Yes. Passage 5-0. Um okay, we'll now move on to oral communications from the public. Uh this portion of the meeting is reserved for persons wishing to address the commission on any matter not on the agenda. Speakers are limited to three minutes, and state law prohibits the commission from acting on non-agenda items. If you're in the room and would like to speak, please fill out a blue card. If you're online, please use raise hand feature, zoom. Allison Flynn will recognize you. So this first one again is the items that are not on the agenda. So if this is one of the two tree appeals, this would not be the time to speak. So is there anybody? Yeah, find the colour. Yeah, you'll have an option. That's not for now. Not now. No, not now. No, later, yeah, later. Thank you. Thank you. Okay, anyway in the room. All right, we'll now close public comment.
openpublica.com