The Saratoga Planning Commission voted Aug. 24 to allow Paul Lovoi to cut down a Canary Island pine on his property on De Havilland Drive so that he could remodel and expand his home. The commission also voted to postpone review of a proposal to erect a 50-foot "monopine" wireless tower at the Church of the Ascension at 19550 Prospect Ave.

In a report dated May 23, the city arborist determined that the Canary Island pine on Lovoi's property was worth preserving and that his remodeling proposal should be revised to preserve the tree. The community development director concurred with the arborist's report and made an administrative decision supporting the preservation of the pine. Lovoi then appealed.

Standing before the planning commission, Lovoi explained that his property already had several trees and that the Canary Island pine was an old tree with only a few years left in it. The location of the pine was impeding additions to his home, particularly an expansion to his kitchen that Lovoi was hoping for because he and his wife enjoy cooking.

"The addition is not exactly denuding the area of trees," he said. The Canary Island pine, similar to a Monterey pine, is not native to California. Lovoi said he would plant a native coast redwood on his property to replace the pine. "I think we've been pretty good stewards of trees," he said.

The commission was convinced and voted to allow him to cut down the pine so he could expand his home.

"It's a case by case situation," Commissioner Susie Nagpal said. "We don't easily overturn decisions made by the city arborist."

Commissioner Linda Rodgers suggested that Lovoi be required to plant a coast redwood on his property. Lovoi said that regardless of whether the commission requires him to put in another tree, he would be happy to anyway.

The commission then considered a conditional use permit application for a Nextel monopine wireless tower at the Church of the Ascension. The proposed 50-foot tower is meant to resemble a coast redwood that houses 12 wireless antennae. Nextel representatives said the tower would fill a gap in in-building and in-car coverage for Nextel customers. The Church of the Ascension would receive approximately $2,000 a month to allow the monopine and a multi-purpose building on its property.

Several neighbors spoke in public hearings against the proposed monopine. Some concerns raised included: a possible negative impact on property values; the artificial tree would be an eyesore; a commercial venture doesn't belong in a residential area; this was the wrong location and other sites should be considered; and that there was a possible health threat caused by emissions from the tower.

Ray Muzzy said he represented 49 nearby homeowners who were all against the monopine. "I think this needs to take its time," Muzzy said, "especially with the recent merger of Sprint with Nextel. Why can't the existing Nextel customers become Sprint customers? In-building and in-car coverage is already provided to them in this area."

"This is a residential neighborhood and I want it to stay that way," Donna Muzzy said. "I don't want to see a fake tree put up there."

Members of the church argued for the tower, saying the aesthetic objections were overstated and that fears over negative health effects were unfounded.

After a lengthy question and discussion period, the commission decided that more time was needed to review the issue, leaving an up-or-down vote on the installation of the monopine to a future date.

Commissioner Jill Hunter came down strongest against the monopine, saying that a large artificial tree in a residential neighborhood was bad not only for people living nearby but for all Saratoga.

"I think the planning commission made a wise decision to wait," Ray Muzzy said.

The planning commission met in the adult day care room at 196555 Allendale Ave. because the Civic Theater chairs were being redone. Commissioner Mike Uhl was absent.