Replacement of Ficus Trees along North Harbor Drive and Shelter Island Drive
Summary
SCH Number
2025010032
Public Agency
San Diego Unified Port District
Document Title
Replacement of Ficus Trees along North Harbor Drive and Shelter Island Drive
Document Type
NOE - Notice of Exemption
Received
Posted
1/2/2025
Document Description
The proposed project would involve the removal and replacement of three (3) Ficus trees by the San Diego Unified Port District (District) in the city of San Diego, California. Two (2) of the Ficus trees are located adjacent to the Bayshore Bikeway, approximately 300 feet west of the intersection of North Harbor Drive and Liberator Way. The third Ficus tree is located in the center median of Harbor Island Drive.
The two (2) existing Ficus trees along Bayshore Bikeway are proposed to be removed due to their roots lifting the adjacent concrete sidewalk, potentially posing a safety risk. Work would also involve replacing the Ficus trees with four (4) 15-gallon size Canary Island Pine trees (subject to nursery availability).
The third Ficus tree on Harbor Island Drive is proposed to be removed due to infrastructure conflicts with an existing water conveyance system bordering the tree. The tree would be replaced with two (2) 15-gallon size Naked Coral trees (subject to nursery availability).
District landscape service providers would remove the three (3) trees in approximately early 2025 using a tower/bucket truck, chipper, stump grinder, hand tools, and associated tree removal equipment. The tree removal operations would begin and conclude on the same day, with ongoing maintenance as needed. Within 60 days following tree removals, the stumps would be grinded down, which takes approximately half a day of work. Tree replacement would be completed by the summer of 2025. Work hours for the proposed project would be Monday-Friday from 7am-3:30pm. There are no anticipated impacts to parking stalls nor anticipated street closures for the proposed project. However, there are partial closures anticipated for Bayshore Bikeway during tree removal activities, so a flagger and grounds crew would direct pedestrians around the work site. Barricades and traffic cones would also be incorporated into the working areas.
Both proposed replacement tree species are drought-tolerant and/or water wise, non-invasive tree species, and would reflect the palette of trees and shrubs which already exist elsewhere on Tidelands.
The District would conduct all tree removals outside of the migratory bird breeding and nesting season, and no removal work would occur between February 15 and September 1.
Contact Information
Name
Justin Huitema
Agency Name
San Diego Unified Port District
Job Title
Assistant Planner
Contact Types
Lead/Public Agency
Phone
Location
Cities
San Diego
Counties
San Diego
Regions
Southern California
Other Location Info
Intersection of North Harbor Drive and Liberator Way, San Diego, CA 92101
1079 Harbor Island Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
Notice of Exemption
Exempt Status
Categorical Exemption
Type, Section or Code
CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Class 1)
Reasons for Exemption
The proposed project is determined to be Categorically Exempt pursuant to California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities) and Section 3.a.(12) of the District’s Guidelines for Compliance with CEQA because it would consist of the removal and replacement of trees and associated tree maintenance that would involve negligible expansion of use beyond that previously existing and would not result in a significant cumulative impact due to the continuation of the existing use. Section 3.a.(12) of the District’s CEQA Guidelines is as follows:
3.a. Existing Facilities (SG § 15301) (Class 1): Includes operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing public or private structures, facilities, mechanical equipment, or topographical features, involving negligible or no expansion of use beyond that previously existing, including but not limited to:
(12) Maintenance of existing landscaping, native growth, and water supply reservoirs.
County Clerk
San Diego
Attachments
Notice of Exemption
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