Forest Ave. Promenade - Removal and Replacement of One Eucalyptus Tree

2026050116

City of Laguna Beach

NOE - Notice of Exemption

5/5/2026

5/5/2026

Anthony Viera

City of Laguna Beach

Deputy Director of Community Development

Lead/Public Agency / Project Applicant / Parties Undertaking Project

505 Forest Ave.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651

(949) 497-0398

aviera@lagunabeachcity.net

South Coast Highway and Glenneyre Street

92651

Coast Highway

Emergency Project

Sec. 21080(b)(4); 15269(b)(c)

On May 1, 2026, the City of Laguna Beach determined to remove one (1) tree along lower Forest Avenue, in the street/sidewalk vicinity at approximately 222 Forest Ave., between the Forest Avenue/South Coast Highway intersection and the Forest Avenue/Glenneyre Street intersection (“Tree”). This was done pursuant to the City’s Tree Removal and Planting Policy for Public Trees due to an imminent risk to public safety. Based on the recommendation of multiple arborists (the last being received at approximately 10:30am on May 1, 2026) following a tree pathologist report that determined the Tree is infected with a Basidiomycete fungus, likely Laetiporus sulphureus. This was confirmed via a Tree root sample. This is the same pathogen that was found in the tree that failed earlier during construction. Further, the tree pathologist report found Phytophthora isolated in the soil. Phytophthora will infect stressed and susceptible tree species in moist soil conditions and can cause root rot - which was identified in several other trees in the area. Based on the above and all of the evidence before the City, the Tree is an imminent risk to public safety. Its immediate removal is necessary to avoid maintaining a condition in which the public and/or structures were placed in immediate danger. This action was determined to be exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) pursuant to Public Resources Code section 21080 (b)(4) and CEQA Guidelines section 15269 (c) as an emergency project. The removal of the Tree is necessary to prevent or mitigate an emergency. Ample evidence indicates that due to the poor root structure and overall health and circumstances for the Tree, there was a legitimate threat of failure, particularly as a similarly situated tree - with similar health, root structure, and surrounding circumstances (including but not limited to evidence of root cutting, root guards too close to the tree, and concrete and asphalt layering that all contributed to significant constraint of the tree's respective growth, development, and health) to the Tree - had failed in recent weeks. The evidence available to the City indicates there was a risk that the Tree had the potential to fail, and that any future work in the area may increase the risk of failure, thereby endangering the public, construction workers working in the immediate vicinity of the Tree, and/or neighboring structures. This action was further determined to be exempt pursuant to State CEQA Guidelines section 15304 (Class 4 – Minor Alterations to Land). Section 15304 exempts “minor public or private alterations in the condition of land, water, and/or vegetation which do not involve removal of healthy, mature, scenic trees except for forestry and agricultural purposes.” Based on the evidence available to the City, including but not limited to the arborists’ recommendations, tree pathologist report, photos, observations, and the physical conditions and surrounding environments of the Tree, the Tree has health issues and poses an imminent risk to public safety and the public and/or nearby structures are at risk. Thus, the Tree does not meet the criteria of “healthy, mature, scenic trees.” None of the exceptions listed in CEQA Guidelines Section 15300.2 applied.