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80 JSB BOA meeting

March 24, 2021

Lance Carnes

(Find these slides at SaveSFtrees.org)

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80X Junipero Serra Blvd

3 trees proposed for removal

SFPW database plotted

with Google My Maps

The trees at 80 JSB were on the agenda for the Jan 20, 2021 SFPW Removal hearing.

What I’m looking for in this appeal: a corrected Director’s Decision that accurately reflects what occurred at the removal hearing, and which settles the question of whether there is a “disconnect” between the trees’ street address and the DPW database location..

I have a copy of the DPW Tree database obtained via the California Public Records Act, and often check tree information. I prepared this Google map for the hearing, showing the trees were about two miles south of 80 JSB when mapped using the location in the DPW Tree database.

At the Removal hearing Mr Buck spoke about and showed photos of the trees. During Public Comment I showed this map and database data. The red point at the top is 80 JSB, the 3 green points at the bottom are the trees plotted using the locator from the DPW Tree database.

I stated further that my concern was that if the trees were OK’d for removal, if the tree cutting crew used the locator in the DPW Tree database, they could possibly remove the wrong trees. Two other members of the public picked up on this and expressed similar concerns. Here is Mr Buck’s reply to us (play video).

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFzjgzPv8Rc

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SFPW database plotted

with Google My Maps

Mr Carnes “sees” something in the DPW database?? I didn’t “see” anything. I used the mini Excel file below from the database and had Google Maps plot it.

The disconnect between the trees’ street address (80 JSB) and the trees’ database location is obvious.

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Jan 20, 2021, 4:03 PM

Buck, Chris (DPW) <Chris.Buck@sfdpw.org>

Hi Lance,

Again, apologies for having a hearing on Inauguration Day.

I wanted to follow-up with this email on the questions about 80 “X” Junipero Serra Blvd you brought up at the hearing this morning.

I couldn’t quite follow in real-time, what the issue was.

. . .

Can you repeat where you see a disconnect, so we can address your concern for this site?

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Mr. Lance Carnes presented and mentioned that at 80 Junipero Serra Blvd, the X and Y Coordinates from the ArborPro census survey do not match up with the locations of the subject trees when plotted on a map and was concerned that the wrong trees will be removed. BUF responded that the inspector or record would generally respond to the tree removal inquiries. BUF uses the data base and uses the tree ID asset, which includes images of the subject trees to make sure the right tree is removed. Following the hearing BUF staff reached out to Mr. Carnes to clarify his question about the X Y coordinates, and other questions he may have about this site. Staff will follow-up if any outstanding questions remain.

Order 204218 Director’s Decision

Respondent’s Brief: “We also did acknowledge the discrepancy of the coordinates in the hearing decision.” Not true.

Did BUF verify the “disconnect”? No.

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Summary of 80 Junipero Serra Blvd

Mr Buck promised to look into the “disconnect” between trees’ address and database location --- he did not do this, even though it’s obvious from looking at the map. His staff Inspectors could have verified this in minutes.
Mr Buck claimed my map rendering and comment about wrong trees being removed undermines BUF’s public credibility. The map rendering was accurate. Wrong trees possibly removed is my warning (shared by other members of the public at the hearing).

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1360 Fulton St

Photo from 5 days prior to the hearing showing an empty basin.

Public Trust in BUF?

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Prayer to the Board of Appeals re Order# 204218

Have BUF amend the Director’s Decision for 80X Junipero Serra Blvd to show that there is a disconnect in the location of the trees, and that a database correction is needed.

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End of presentation

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Rebuttal

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Original 3 subject trees --- erroneous GPS points

Phantom trees --- same address, both with same GPS points

Created by BUF Inspector

Erroneous tree data in SFPW database

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Tree on same Order 204218 --- 46 Cragmont Ave

Phantom tree 187652 --- created by a BUF Inspector

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BUF --- Better management of SF’s 125,000 street trees

Clean up the Tree Database --- get rid of dups & cruft, correct inaccuracies.

Maintain and check the database frequently

Use the database for all BUF activities: inspections, removal postings, removal hearings, etc.

Make the database a publicly viewable resource on DataSF.org

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BUF in the Community

Remember that you are the stewards of SF’s urban canopy, that belongs to all San Franciscans.

Be respectful of the public.

Engage with the public in webinars that teach us about the urban canopy.

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Prayer to the Board of Appeals re Order# 204218

Have BUF amend the Director’s Decision for 80X Junipero Serra Blvd to show that there is a disconnect in the location of the trees, and that a database correction is needed.

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Tree Identifier:

TreeID: e.g. 123456

Address & Site: e.g. 80 Junipero Serra Blvd, Site 6

Tree Locator:

Latitude/Longitude

X-Y (California State Plane III)

BUF is using the Tree Identifier as a Tree Locator.

The Tree Identifier is confusing to tree crews.

A Tree Locator such as Latitude/Longitude is best.

Tree mapping expert:

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Extra material for rebuttal