The City Council at its Study Session on Sept. 16 provided direction on the 9800-9900 S. Santa Monica Boulevard Street Tree Master Plan, which recommends that Mexican fan palm trees replace lost ficus trees on that block.
Staff and the Public Works Commission (PWC) have supported the recommendation, which would cost $42,000 to install. The project would be funded through the existing Capital Improvement Program.
Because of narrow setbacks on the block, narrow tree wells, lack of an irrigation system and input from commercial interests, the PWC considered several options, which included installing floating islands into the street to allow for a canopy tree, widening the sidewalk, letting the vacancies remain vacant, and using the Mexican fan palm.
The staff report of the master plan said the Mexican fan palm tree has been used successfully in the past, including the block of S. Santa Monica Boulevard directly east of the proposed project area, where conditions are “essentially the same.”
“The Mexican fan palm is a good long-term fit when used as an avenue tree in a commercial setting where narrow setbacks and multistory buildings limit both normal root development and aerial growth space. The tree fits the Public Works Commission’s replacement tree criteria, provided the annual trim cycle is maintained,” read the staff report. Some of the PWC’s tree criteria look at fire risk, size appropriateness, tree type and performance.
City Arborist Ken Pfalzgraf said the aim of the master plan is to retain canopy on that block as long as possible. However, he pointed to the aggressive root structure of the ficus trees, which currently occupy that block of S. Santa Monica Boulevard, damaging public and private infrastructure.
There are 18 vacant sites in the proposed project area where Ficus trees have been removed due to sidewalk damage, private property conflicts and development requirements.
Pfalzgraf said property owners have expressed sentiments such as, “We don’t want the trees abrading our buildings; don’t want to open a window on the second floor and have squirrels and creatures coming in; we don’t enjoy having litter and things on the roof; we don’t enjoy having our sidewalks busted up.”
Councilmembers Mary Wells and Lester Friedman were part of the liaison when the master plan passed through the Public Works Commission for the second time, where they considered what property owners would ideally like to see on that block.
“It does seem like our criteria as a city in how we choose trees feels very limiting,” said Wells, noting that council liaisons challenged PWC to look at different options. “I certainly would challenge us to look at the criteria we look at for the different areas of our city, and see if we perhaps should be looking at it from a different point of view.”
Councilmember Craig Corman said he was not enthusiastic about the Mexican fan palm tree because it does not provide canopy, but is “reluctantly” willing to support the recommendation.
“In my mind, this is about filling holes, not about re-landscaping the entire street,” said Corman.
Vice Mayor John Mirisch similarly expressed his approval of the recommendation, but was frustrated that the Mexican fan palm is the only viable tree replacement.
Mayor Sharona Nazarian said the safety of residents should be prioritized and supported the project’s contribution to the beautification of the city.
Looking ahead to November, the Council also provided direction on the 2025 Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration Program.
Nazarian and Friedman were the council liaisons for this item, who expressed their support for the Rodeo Drive Committee’s request for street closure and waiving city permits and labor fees. Friedman emphasized that the RDC this year cut out a significant portion of the budget from years prior, amounting to 66% of the 2024 budget. There will also be a larger footprint of security personnel during the event.
Wells recommended looking into the possibility of using Transient Occupancy Tax dollars to address the proposal’s cuts to fireworks time and use of a certain audio system to ensure residents are still getting an elevated experience.
The Rodeo Drive Holiday Lighting Celebration Program will take place on Nov. 13.
