Tell the SF Public Works Director: Don't punish Ambrosia Bakery with a $4,500 fine

Tell the SF Public Works Director: Don't punish Ambrosia Bakery with a $4,500 fine

Started
April 6, 2022
Victory
This petition made change with 5,601 supporters!

Why this petition matters

Started by Kath Tsakalakis

Public Works in San Francisco has sent a huge ~$4,500 fine to Keith Truong, owner-operator of a small business, Ambrosia Bakery, for over-pruning two street trees in response to complaints from his customers about these trees blocking the stop sign outside his store, thereby making the crosswalk unsafe for pedestrians. 

Here are the facts. People in Lakeside Village may remember: 

1. Many community meetings since the neighborhood watch started in 2009 during which the trees outside Ambrosia were a particular safety concern. These trees require regular pruning for pedestrian safety -- not once every 5 to 7 years. 

2. Many failed attempts by residents and business owners to get the trees on Ocean pruned whether by directly contacting Public Works, site visits and neighborhood walk-throughs with Public Works, and/ or individual reports via 311. 

Public Works has an operating budget of $357.5 million (FY 2021/22) and 1,685 employees (full-time equivalent). Ambrosia is a small, independent, owner-operated bakery founded by Keith in 1988 in Lakeside Village. Ambrosia hired an arborist in 2021 to prune the trees in response to customer concerns about public safety. Their intent was to help. 

By signing this petition, you are asking Director Carla Short at Public Works to cancel their ~$4,500 fine that excessively punishes Keith and his small business.

You are asking Public Works for a solution that is manageable such as: 

a) send a warning letter to Ambrosia Bakery including guidance on how to get Public Works to help with ongoing maintenance of their trees. A recent email stating that “we [Public Works] are not impossible to reach” is insufficient; 

b) find an opportunity for Ambrosia Bakery to donate plants to Lakeside Landing, a public park opposite their store. A few new drought-tolerant plants would be enjoyed by the entire community for many years.    

Victory

This petition made change with 5,601 supporters!

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