Planning Director's Hearing, January 21, 2026
Approved: Tree Removal Permit at 1489 Saratoga Avenue
What happened
On January 21, 2026, San Jose approved Tree Removal Permit at 1489 Saratoga Avenue.
The Planning Director's Hearing on January 21, 2026 approved a tree removal permit (TR25-373) for a 176-inch circumference coast live oak at 1489 Saratoga Avenue, despite significant public opposition citing environmental and flooding concerns.
- Jurisdiction
- San Jose, CA
- Date
- January 21, 2026
- Decisions
- 3 zoning decisions
- Outcome
- Approved
Free sample: decision 1 of 3
Tree Removal Permit at 1489 Saratoga Avenue
Approved removal of one ordinance-sized coast live oak tree (176 inches circumference) located within the footprint of a proposed driveway for a new single family house at 1489 Saratoga Avenue. The tree conflicts with required access and staff determined no feasible design alternatives exist. One replacement tree required per city's 1:1 ratio. Multiple public speakers opposed removal citing environmental benefits, flooding concerns, and habitat loss. Applicant represented by Kevin K., architect Pearl Renicker.
- One replacement tree required; applicant may consider native species alternative
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Key Decisions (3)
Tree Removal Permit at 1489 Saratoga Avenue
Special Use Permit for Home Expansion at 525 Monair Avenue
Vesting Tentative Map at Alamo Drive
Full write-ups and conditions for all 3 decisions in Pro.
Development Activity (3)
Single Family House at 1489 Saratoga Avenue
Residential
Home Expansion at 525 Monair Avenue
Residential
Residential Subdivision at Alamo Drive
Residential
Market Signals (2)
Housing Demand
Property owners pursuing single-family development on constrained lots despite significant…
Sentiment
Strong community opposition to tree removal for development suggests increasing…
Meeting audio
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Zoning terms (8)
21 recorded timestamps
- public hearing (8 timestamps)
- environmental review (1 timestamps)
- deferred (3 timestamps)
- special use permit (2 timestamps)
- residential (1 timestamps)
- approved (2 timestamps)
Decision moments (3)
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3 recorded decisions, 1 conditions across 1 decisions. Available full write-ups are included with Pro for San Jose.
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