San Domenico School Tree Removal Permit and Design Review P5163

The applicant requests Tree Removal Permit and Design Review approval to remove 29 Heritage or Protected status trees and to construct recreational accessory structures associated with the redevelopment of an athletic field in the southwest corner of a 34-acre campus of an educational institution (San Domenico School), located on a 512-acre lot in an unincorporated area of San Anselmo (specifically, the community of Sleepy Hollow). 

The proposed removal of 29 Heritage or Protected status trees would occur along the periphery of the project site, with the greatest concentration in the southeast corner. The removals would include the following:

The proposed detached recreational accessory structures would be situated along the periphery of the project site, nearly encircling the redeveloped athletic field. These structures would consist of affixed improvements, including: (1) a hooded baseball backstop reaching a maximum height of 30 feet above grade and encompassing an area of 1,469 square feet; (2) a covered third-base baseball dugout constructed of chain link, reaching a maximum height of 10 feet above grade and encompassing an area of 337 square feet; (3) a chain link fence reaching a maximum height of 10 feet above grade and extending a total of 756 linear feet; (4) a second chain link fence reaching a maximum height of 20 feet above grade and extending 136 linear feet; (5) a netting system reaching a maximum height of 20 feet above grade and extending 133 linear feet; (6) a second netting system reaching a maximum height of 30 feet above grade and extending a total of 667 linear feet; and (7) two retaining walls—one reaching a maximum height of 7 feet, 9 inches above grade and extending 409 linear feet, and the other reaching a maximum height of 7 feet, 2 inches above grade and extending 25 linear feet.

Other improvements include the redevelopment of the athletic field, previously authorized by the San Domenico School 1998 Master Plan (Marin County Board of Supervisors Ordinance No. 3287), and subject to certain conditions. The redevelopment would involve demolishing the existing baseball diamond and associated fencing, dismantling of portions of the Hotaling Mansion foundation while ensuring the preservation of the original “front façade,” and performing grading activities (5,980 cubic yards of cut, 5,855 cubic yards of fill, and 125 cubic yards of offhaul) to level the area to a gradual 1.5 percent slope. The multipurpose athletic field, planned for the redeveloped area, will feature a synthetic turf surface suitable for soccer and baseball, tiered bleachers that follow the slope of the site (with risers no greater than 8 inches), comprehensive stormwater runoff management through drainage improvements, ornamental and native landscaping, and walking paths. The athletic field would comply with the 50-foot Stream Conservation Area (SCA) setback from the adjacent intermittent creek (Sleepy Hollow Creek) as established by the San Domenico School 1998 Master Plan (Marin County Board of Supervisors Ordinance No. 3287).

Tree Removal Permit approval is required pursuant to Section 22.62.020 of the Marin County Development Code because the project involves the removal of Protected and Heritage trees, as defined in Section 22.130.030 (Definitions of Specialized Terms and Phrases), on an improved lot that cannot be exempt from the requirement to obtain Tree Removal Permit approval.

Design Review approval is required pursuant to Section 22.42.020(A) of the Marin County Development Code because the project proposes to construct detached accessory structures in a Planned zoning district that cannot be exempt from the requirement to obtain Design Review approval.