[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6521524,"mediaKeyId","5091508-d446cce3c3c5b08207154aa132375464","parentId",5091508,"title","Commission overturns staff: Liquid amber at 1158 Cuesta Drive to be retained","audioSeconds",5514,"startMs",1185000,"endMs",6699000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091508-d446cce3c3c5b08207154aa132375464&start=1185&end=6699","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091508-d446cce3c3c5b08207154aa132375464/thumbnail_1185000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6521524/Mountain-View/Santa-Clara-County/California/Commission-overturns-staff-Liquid-amber-at-1158-Cuesta-Drive-to-be-retained","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521524-b2a8e1298afb2cc5ddc6fe97cc86c997/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159063&Signature=DEfGcnoJclZrtW8yQq8MKbnbkMGuFuaXZoNdZ~Svphiqeh8XKVWCNI8tqUf9qpBweOMh9Uxxa~NxK5vVhv5cA4aGAD-AI2ufgMnoQStGYcIP4fkVbJ3MY6A52OfjfIcmdozNuelHFUfTD8slr3OHzu4Y8qFmzWoOpZAHxco1B2pYJRV8OGdf5cEHGs50lVszkpcRconcsa08z3TirM01Um2XKghDtjhYm0cED1OGtWx-A5Fwyrp7eFj7cNtcuysRNdpke7z~GJq3WXSSG-9eS6FhZp8WcXqivwOAvMJzEYTNG7fYJrG1Xaip0oJedWeCcC8uzamxpkLuiC69waRnCw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Coty of Mountain View","date","2025-06-27T18:28:32Z","article","The Parks and Recreation Commission and Urban Forestry Board voted on June 25 to uphold an appeal and deny the removal of a heritage liquid amber at 1158 Cuesta Drive, overturning staff’s finding that removal was necessary to construct proposed improvements.

Russell Hansen, urban forest manager for the City of Mountain View, told commissioners the liquid amber “has approximately a 40 inch diameter when measured at 54 inches above grade. We estimated the height of the tree to be about 60 feet and considered about 20 to maybe a little bit more, feet of canopy spread.” Hansen said staff’s on-site review found the tree to be in “good to fair, health and structure,” but flagged conflicts including lifted sidewalk, root intrusion into a sewer lateral, and a planned modular driveway that would run through the tree’s protection area.

The applicant and developer, represented by Oscar Hernandez of Arrow Homes and Stefan Bittner, said the modular design and driveway layout made it “very difficult” to preserve the tree. Hernandez said the existing driveway was already damaged by nearby roots and that shifting the driveway or house to avoid the tree would require variances or would impact other heritage trees on the lot.

The property appellant and several public speakers urged the commission to preserve the tree. A resident who identified only as Mountain said, “this tree...is magnificent, and it's an asset to Cuesta Drive.” Public commenters Leslie Freeman and Rashmi also urged preservation, citing canopy, climate and neighborhood character.

After extended commissioner questioning—covering sidewalk condition, sewer repair options, root depth, tree tolerance for root pruning, and the feasibility of planning variances—commissioners debated whether the removal criteria in Mountain View City Code §32.35(2) (necessity to construct improvements) had been met. Several commissioners said the modular, state-approved building design complicated on-site changes but noted that preserving the tree would better serve neighborhood canopy and community character.

A motion to approve the appeal and overturn staff’s recommendation passed by recorded vote (Commissioner Bryant — yes; Commissioner Filios — yes; Commissioner Summer — yes; Vice Chair Mishner — yes; Chair Davis — yes), thereby denying the removal permit for the liquid amber. The commission’s motion stated the criteria for removal under MVCC §32.35(2) regarding necessity to construct improvements “has not been met,” and that “no other criteria for removal under MVCC §32.35 have been met.”

The commission directed that the decision be recorded in the minutes. Staff and the applicant may pursue other administrative remedies (for example, a planning variance) independent of the commission’s action; the commission did not itself grant a variance or instruct the planning department to approve one.

The vote preserves the tree for the short term; any future construction that would affect the tree will require compliance with the heritage-tree ordinance and any required permits or approvals.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","June 25, 2025 Parks and Recreation Commission and Urban Forestry Board","oneSentenceSummary","The Parks and Recreation Commission and Urban Forestry Board voted to overturn staff and deny removal of a heritage liquid amber at 1158 Cuesta Drive, finding that the removal criteria in Mountain View City Code §32.35 were not met.","taxTitle","Mountain View, Santa Clara County, California","taxId",2861,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6521528,"Appellant withdraws appeal; Modesto ash at 1158 Cuesta Drive will remain",367,401000,768000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5091508-d446cce3c3c5b08207154aa132375464&start=401&end=768","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5091508-d446cce3c3c5b08207154aa132375464/thumbnail_401000.jpg","/articles/6521528/Mountain-View/Santa-Clara-County/California/Appellant-withdraws-appeal-Modesto-ash-at-1158-Cuesta-Drive-will-remain","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6521528-cfa9a2f09da376e4d7b72609b2b42e86/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159063&Signature=k6b5~OFilbQtB3TQUtiB6eJ40dSqFlRS0RNALJiX7TsXvI4q6Hj0br3TNjTjWmndADqbK4TZn50fxaY30E8h-P3FQNapwKaMoyo9dAGQKalGAuQfxjeN7N5RegDLJwcAwUUEqzV21HznHOtNF6i~gjQW0cqBbOzCMlebcV8GEaXkQCHxIQVdP1vH6Nml4qJsU7oBIRh31C9d00Lws8N6zxeUzFkiZv56q2NwE~YfsHoR5dYMjwC2wF6Z2PzRZLcC5yjqgsK~OxPt21~-ZOpddG9LBugjUyJWHpKRlw3iQpL-YLaZWNdEgumb1~PsU0rH-f8ZK8~edY3pYiYagaYZ~g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Parks and Recreation Commission and Urban Forestry Board heard a withdrawal of an appeal over a Modesto ash at 1158 Cuesta Drive and recorded that the tree will be retained.

Russell Hansen, urban forest manager for the City of Mountain View, told the commission the tree “is a Modesto ash, has a 40 inch diameter when measured at 54 inches above grade” and that staff’s evaluation found the tree’s “health and structure of the canopy was at least fair.” Hansen said there was limited dieback and a small seam in the trunk that staff did not judge to be a structural failure.

The appellant, Oscar Hernandez—representing Arrow Homes/Arrow Properties—told the commission that, after further consideration and discussion with staff, the developer would not remove the ash. Hernandez said the house plan would be shifted to increase clearance and avoid construction within the tree’s protected area.

Commissioners then moved to enter the appellant’s withdrawal into the record. The commission’s action recorded that the appellant “has withdrawn their appeal and states that they intend to retain the tree; therefore, the commission will not need to take any action.” The motion to note the withdrawal in the minutes passed unanimously (recorded vote: Commissioner Bryant — yes; Commissioner Filios — yes; Commissioner Summer — yes; Vice Chair Mishner — yes; Chair Davis — yes).

Because the appellant retracted the request to remove the Modesto ash, staff’s determination that the tree should be retained stands and no removal permit or further hearing on that tree was required.","At the June 25 Parks and Recreation Commission/Urban Forestry Board meeting, the appellant withdrew an appeal to remove a heritage Modesto ash at 1158 Cuesta Drive. Staff had recommended retention; because the appellant withdrew, the staff decision stands and no further action was required.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commission overturns staff: Liquid amber at 1158 Cuesta Drive to be retained

Appellant withdraws appeal; Modesto ash at 1158 Cuesta Drive will remain