The Parks, Recreation and Open Space Commission approved a tree removal permit for a 75-inch diameter coast redwood at 542 Estemadera Drive, directing that the applicant replace the tree with a 24-inch box tree from the citys recommended list or meet other conditions the committee sets.

The decision matters because the homeowner reported repeated sewer blockages and flooring and foundation movement the arborist and staff said are likely related to the trees extensive root system. The commission balanced property‑level damage and the citys interest in preserving canopy, and voted 7–1 to grant the removal permit with the replacement approach described.

Staff said the tree is about 50 years old with a trunk diameter of roughly 75 inches and a shallow, extensive root system that has damaged sidewalk sections and pushed on underground infrastructure. Staff and the contract city arborist, John Miseric, told the commission there were no clear structural failures observed at the time of the arborist evaluation but that the root placement and growth pattern make future damage likely if the tree remains.

Homeowner Laura Lucas described recent service calls to clear sewer lines and structural impacts inside the house. "In the last 45 days, we've had to call out Boden Plumbing twice ... That's $700 that we've just paid," Lucas said, adding that hardwood floors in several rooms are coming apart at the seams and that the household has lived with the tree for 22 years.

Commission discussion focused on mitigation and parity with the citys tree ordinance. Commissioners noted the ordinances replacement metric (one new tree per each six inches of removed diameter) would have required an impractical number of replacement plantings on the lot. Commissioner Misuraca pressed for higher cash-in-lieu figures than the ordinance's existing $100 per six inches; staff and the arborist said an installed replacement tree on private property is likely to cost in the range of about $400

$900 per tree depending on size and planting conditions. The commission ultimately approved the permit while authorizing replacement as a 24-inch box specimen from the citys recommended list rather than forcing the literal tree-count calculation on constrained private property.

The vote was recorded as: Yes — Commissioner Cullinan, Commissioner Izetta, Youth member Mellinger, Commissioner Rausch, Vice Chair Tolbert, Commissioner Wellender, Chair Donnelly (7); No — Commissioner Misuraca (1). The motion passed 7 to 1.

Commissioners also directed staff to carry this discussion into the upcoming broader ordinance review so that cash-in-lieu, replacement sizes, and variance procedures are clearer in future removals. Staff noted removal and stump grinding costs to homeowners can range substantially; operations staff offered a homeowner estimate of roughly $12,000 to $14,000 for full removal and stump grinding in a large‑tree scenario.

The commissions approval authorizes the public works director to issue the permit subject to conditions the committee deems appropriate, as allowed under the current tree ordinance.

The homeowner indicated she would accept a replacement planting that is not a redwood and would consult with staff on appropriate species.

The record will be returned to staff for permit paperwork and final conditions consistent with the commissions direction.