UCSF has proposed a significant expansion of its Aldea San Miguel student housing complex — a project that would add new residential buildings to the campus situated within Forest Knolls' own boundaries. The proposal involves the removal of a substantial number of mature trees, raising serious concerns from residents about the neighborhood's green character and the ecological corridor that the existing vegetation supports.
The Aldea campus sits on the southern slopes of Mount Sutro, directly adjacent to several residential streets. Its tree cover — including mature eucalyptus and native plantings — forms part of the visual and ecological backdrop that defines this corner of the neighborhood. The proposed expansion would clear portions of this cover to accommodate new building footprints.
"Once you remove a mature tree, you lose decades of growth — and the habitat, the shade, and the character that came with it. You can plant replacements, but a 60-year-old eucalyptus is not replaceable on any timeline that matters."
What residents can do
- Track the project through UCSF's Long Range Development Plan (LRDP) Environmental Impact Report process.
- Submit written comments during formal public comment periods — these are entered into the official record and must be formally responded to.
- Contact District Supervisor Myrna Melgar's office to register concerns about the impact on the neighborhood.
- Engage through the Forest Knolls Neighborhood Organization (FKNO), which has been tracking this issue and coordinating community response.
For current updates on this issue, see the Plans & Issues page or contact FKNO at forestknolls@comcast.net.