CITY OF
PALO
ALTO
Planning Review Application
Department of Planning & Development Services 250
Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
Appointments are required for all application submittals. please call (650) 329-2496 (ext. 6, option 2)
or email [email protected] to schedule
Application Request
Architectural Review
Conditional Use Permit / Amendment
Design Enhancement Exception
Historic Review
Home Improvement Exception
2 Property Location
Address of Subject Property:
Zone District:
Individual Review
Preliminary AR Review
Council Prescreening
☐Coordinated Development (SOFA 1)
Site and Design Review
Subdivision
751 Waverly Ave., Palo Alto CA 94301
12016106 Assessor's Parcel Number:
For File Number, Date Received, Fees,
and Project Status please see Accela
(City Database)
bit.ly/PaloAltoACA
For general questions, please email
planner@palo
Temporary Use Permit
Transfer of Development Rights
☐ Variance
Zone Change
Planned Community or Amendment
Other:
Historic Category (if applicable):
③ Project Description Housing Development Project as Defined by the State:☐ Yes ☐ No Removal of 4 Redwood Trees
4 Applicant/Primary Contact/
Entitlement Recipient ☐ Architect ☐ Engineer
Name: Estanislao Mikalonis Name: Eric Krebs
Primary Contact If Different From
Applicant
Name: Helen Baumann
Address: 3290 Middlefield Road Address: Consulting Arborist Address: 151 Coleridge Ave City: Palo Alto City: City: Palo Alto
Zip Code: 94306 State: CA Zip Code: State: Zip Code: 94301 State: CA Phone: 650-494-2496 Phone: 650-851-8797 Phone: 650-520-3061 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] 5 Property Owner
Name: Estanislao Mikalonis Email: [email protected] Address: 3290 Middlefield Rd., Phone 1: 650-494-2496
City: Palo Alto State: CA Zip: 94306 Phone 2:
I hereby certify that I am the owner of record of the property described in Box #2 above and that I approve of the requested action herein. If this application(s) is subject to 100% cost recovery of planning costs, I understand that charges for staff time spent processing this application(s) will be based on the Policy and Procedures document provided to me. I understand that my initial deposit is an estimate of these charges and not a fee, and I agree to abide by the billing policy stated.
Sie e Date: 1/22/226
In accordance with Government Gode 65103.5, in addition to architectural drawings, a design professional or the owner of a copyright may submit a site plan or a massing diagram for posting dline or for distribution to the public. The City of Palo Alto requires that such site plan or massing diagram be provided as a separate electronic file. If the design professional or the owner of the copyright elects not to provide a separate electronic file containing a site plan or massing diagram upon submission of architectural diagrams, they willbe deemed to have granted permission for the City to share architectural drawings online and for distribution to the public.
KREBS TREE CONSULTING
Eric Krebs, Consulting Arborist
Tree Report
Four Redwood Trees at 751 Waverley Street, Palo Alto
September 17, 2025
Prepared for: Pastor: Estanislao Mikalonis
STA Parish Office
3290 Middlefield Road
Palo Alto, СА
Attention: City of Palo Alto
Planning Department
Prepared by: Eric Krebs, Consulting Arborist
(650) 851-8797
Thank you for choosing Krebs Tree Consulting for your tree care needs.
Assignment The request for an inspection and recommendations was prompted by concerns regarding tree related damage to the church and the surrounding infrastructure at St Thomas Aquinas Church, 751 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CA.
Following an inspection, I was asked to provide a written report for submittal to the City of Palo Alto Planning Department. This report includes current tree status, recommendations for tree removals due to current and future damage to surrounding infrastructure and a summary of my findings regarding the possibility mitigating damages while retaining the trees.
As agreed, on July 25, 2025, I visited the site; the following report details my findings.
My inspection involved a visual assessment from the ground. I measured the trunk diameters at standard height (DSH), took photos for documentation of conditions and to show the locations of the trees. I measured from the edge of the driveway to the trees and from the trees to the church foundation.
8 Eric Krebs
(650) 851-8797
International Society of Arboriculture, Certified Arborist # WC-0829 RETIRED International Society of Arboriculture, Certified Tree Risk Assessor # CTRA 1185 RETIRED 751 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CA Tree Status Report
Tree health and structural conditions
No signs of health decline or notable structural defects were observed during my inspection.
The overall condition of the trees appeared to be good.
Site conditions and impacts to the church, driveway and city sidewalk.
The trees are growing in an approximately eight to nine-foot-wide planting strip that runs between the church and the driveway. The driveway enters the property from Homer Street.
The damage from root intrusion to the church foundation, driveway and the city sidewalk is obvious. I took measurements from the edge of the driveway to the root plates and on the opposite side of the trees from the root plates to the church foundation on all four trees.
Observations
Tree #1
Tree Species
DSH
Height
Health
Tree Structure
Location
Tree #2
Tree Species
DSH
Height
Health
Coast redwood (Segouia sempervirens).
30 inches
Estimated 75 feet
Good - the crown density and vigor seemed good and
evenly distributed throughout the existing canopy.
No structural defects were noted.
Tree #1 is the first tree in the planting strip closet to Homer St. The distance from the edge of driveway to the root plate is 2'6" and the distance from the root plate to the church foundation is 2'7".
Coast redwood (Segouia sempervirens).
31 inches
Estimated 75 feet
Good - the crown density and vigor seemed good and
evenly distributed throughout the existing canopy.
751 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CA
Tree Structure
Location
Tree Status Report
No structural defects were noted.
Tree #2 is the second tree in from Homer Street. The
distance from the edge of driveway to the root plate is 2'10" and the distance from the root plate to the church foundation is 2'11".
Tree #3
Tree Species
DSH
Height
Health
Tree Structure
Location
Coast redwood (Seqouia sempervirens).
34 inches
Estimated 75 feet
Good - the crown density and vigor seemed good and
evenly distributed throughout the existing canopy.
No structural defects were noted.
Tree #3 is the third tree in from Homer Street. The
distance from the edge of driveway to the root plate is 1'5" and the distance from the root plate to the church foundation is 2'
Tree #4
Tree Species
DSH
Height
Health
Tree Structure
Location
Coast redwood (Segouia sempervirens).
29 inches
Estimated 75 feet
Good - the crown density and vigor seemed good and
evenly distributed throughout the existing canopy.
No structural defects were noted.
Tree #4 is the fourth tree in from Homer Street. The
distance from the edge of driveway to the root plate is 6" and the distance from the root plate to the church
foundation is 1'10".
751 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CA Tree Status Report
Discussion/Mitigation Measures and Recommendations
The four coastal redwoods were planted in a planting strip that runs between the driveway and the church. The width of this area varies from approximately eight to nine feet, measured from the edge of the driveway to the church foundation. Unfortunately, the trees are outgrowing the space provided, resulting in extensive damage to the driveway, city sidewalk and more importantly the heaving of the church foundation. This damage will continue to worsen as the trees grow.
It is important to note that the church was recently painted and the cracks in the foundation have been partially sealed, the result is some of the damage to the foundation is covered up.
Mitigation-I considered root pruning to protect the surrounding infrastructures, however, the limited area in the planting strip for root pruning would put the cuts well into the structural roots. Due to the potential for total tree failures and damage to the church and/or surrounding properties, I do not recommend root pruning. I do not know of any other means of mitigating future damage.
Recommendations-Unfortunately the only way to mitigate future infrastructure damage and to ensure the safety of the church and surrounding properties is to remove the trees.
Conclusion
(See supporting photos)
I'm not sure when these trees were planted but from all appearances they provided a beautiful tree scape along the side of the church. Unfortunately, it was only a matter of time before they would outgrow their space. Coastal Redwoods can grow to incredible heights and girth; they need a huge planting area. Retaining these trees will only compound the conflicts between the infrastructure and the tree roots.
If you have questions, please feel free to contact me at (650) 851 8797.
Respectfully submitted,
Eric Krebs
751 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CA Tree Status Report
Photo showing the trees
proximity to the church
viewed from the
driveway. (looking in
from Homer St)
Photo showing the trees viewed
from Homer St. Note the damage
to the city sidewalk.
Photo showing the trees proximity
to the church. Looking towards
Homer St.
751 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, СА
Tree Status Report
Photo showing possible signs of
damage to the interior of the church.
Photo of the area on the
foundation that is sealed
and painted over.
Photo of another crack in the
foundation
751 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, СА
These two photos show more examples of the cracks that are sealed and painted
These two photos show some of the damage to the driveway Tree Status Report
751 Waverley Street, Palo Alto, CА
Arborist Disclosure Statement
Tree Status Report
Arborists are tree specialists who use their education, knowledge, training and experience to examine trees, recommend measures to enhance the beauty and health of trees, and attempt to reduce the risk of living near trees. Clients may choose to accept or disregard the recommendations of the arborist, or to seek additional advice.
Arborists cannot detect every condition that could possibly lead to the structural failure of a tree. Trees are living organisms that fail in ways we do not fully understand. Conditions are often hidden within trees and below ground. Arborists cannot guarantee that a tree will be healthy or safe under all circumstances, or for a specified period of time. Likewise, remedial treatments, like any medicine, cannot be guaranteed.
Treatment, pruning and removal of trees may involve considerations beyond the scope of the arborist's services such as property boundaries, property ownership, site lines, disputes between neighbors, and other issues. Arborists cannot take such considerations into account unless complete and accurate information is disclosed to the arborist. An arborist should then be expected to reasonably rely upon the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.
Trees can be managed, but they cannot be controlled. To live near trees is to accept some degree of risk.
The only way to eliminate all risk associated with trees is to eliminate all trees.
I,_Estanislao Mikalonis, acknowledge that I have received a copy of this document and that I have read and understand this disclosure statement. Signed: Date: 4142025
(F)
PARKING
(E) Sian
(E) STAIRS
EXISTING BUILDING
·AREA OF NEW WORK
SHOMN SHADEP
(E) PORCH
WAVERLEY
#2
E) BRIVEWAY
HOMER
From: Boozari, Bryan
To: Gollinger, Peter
Cc: Eric Krebs; Helen Baumann
Subject: RE: Replacement tree strategy for 751 Waverley Date: Thursday, February 19, 2026 5:30:59 PM
Attachments: image001.png
image002.png
Hello All,
The tree removal application has been approved under 26PLN-00034. Thank you all for your coordination.
Kind regards,
BRYAN BOOZARI
Building Planning Technician
Planning and Development Services Department
285 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2223 | [email protected]
www.PaloAlto.gov
From: Gollinger, Peter <[email protected]>
Sent: Thursday, February 19, 2026 5:04 PM
To: Boozari, Bryan <[email protected]>
Cc: Eric Krebs <[email protected]>; Helen Baumann <[email protected]> Subject: Re: Replacement tree strategy for 751 Waverley Hello Bryan,
Yes, Urban Forestry is comfortable working with the applicant and their arborist on replacements in the coming weeks/months pending the applicant getting species and location approval through their internal processes.
Thank you!
Peter Gollinger
Urban Forester
City of Palo Alto
Sent from my iPhone (please excuse any typos!)
On Feb 19, 2026, at 5:01 PM, Boozari, Bryan <[email protected]> wrote:
Hello Eric,
Thank you for the tree replacement information. @Gollinger, Peter if Urban Forestry green lights this tree replacement strategy I will close out the review and approve the OTC tree removal.
Kind regards,
<image001.png> BRYAN BOOZARI
Building Planning Technician
Planning and Development Services Department
285 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94301
(650) 329-2223 | [email protected]
www.PaloAlto.gov
<image002.png>
From: Eric Krebs <[email protected]>
Sent: Wednesday, February 18, 2026 1:53 PM
To: Boozari, Bryan <[email protected]>; Gollinger, Peter <[email protected]>
Cc: Helen Baumann <[email protected]>
Subject: Replacement tree strategy for 751 Waverley
CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Be cautious of opening attachments and clicking on links.
Hello Bryan, I just spoke with Helen Baumann regarding mitigation trees for 751 Waverley and she forwarded your email. They were under the impression that they had up to a year to get the mitigation trees approved. I spoke with Peter Gollinger a couple of times through this pro i
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CGBANNERINDICATOR
Hello Bryan,
I just spoke with Helen Baumann regarding mitigation trees for 751 Waverley and Powered by Mimecast
she forwarded your email. They were under the impression that they had up to a year to get the mitigation trees approved. I spoke with Peter Gollinger a couple of times through this process and assured him that the church is well aware of the need to replant and that they have three separate properties in Palo Alto to plant trees on.
Finding planting sites should not be a problem. The tree species and sites will need to be approved by the pastor and parishioners as well as the city forestry department.
This could take some time. To date, this is the strategy.
Your help through this process will be appreciated, the church would like to move forward with the removals.
Thank you,
Eric Krebs