Whittier Council Set to Finalize Tree Removals for 5 Points Metro Hot Spots Project

Whittier 360 News Network
Oct 9
3 min read

By Rebecca Canales

Whittier 360 News Network

October 14 2025 – Whittier, California

When the Whittier City Council meets Tuesday, it will vote on whether to affirm a Parks and Recreation Commission ruling denying 42 appeals aimed at stopping the removal of 33 trees from the 5 Points intersection—part of Metro’s $13.97-million Hot Spots Intersection Improvement Project.

Regional Traffic-Safety Project Origin

The “Hot Spots” program originated from Metro’s 2013 SR-91/I-605/I-405 Congestion Feasibility Report, which identified intersections suffering from chronic backups and collision risks.The 5 Points project, funded entirely by Measure R sales-tax allocations, is designed to relieve congestion and improve safety at Whittier Boulevard, Washington Boulevard, Santa Fe Springs Road, Pickering Avenue, and La Cuarta Street—a five-way junction long considered one of the city’s most confusing crossings.

What Construction Includes

Planned upgrades call for:

Added through- and turn-lanes,
Reconfigured medians and lane geometry,
ADA-compliant curb ramps and sidewalks,
New traffic-signal equipment and signage, and
A retaining wall beneath the Greenway Trail bridge to improve sightlines.

Work is contracted to Granite Construction for roughly 240 working days, with start-up originally scheduled for spring 2025.

Tree-Removal Breakdown

The report confirms 33 trees must be removed:

15 Mexican Fan Palms
1 London Plane (Sycamore)
16 Crape Myrtles
1 Kurrajong Bottle Tree

All are mature—30 to 50 years old—and most are located in the center medians surrounding 5 Points and along Whittier Boulevard east to Central Avenue.Twelve large London Plane trees northwest of the intersection were preserved during final redesign.

Most of the trees slated for removal from 5 Points are Mexican Fan Palms. Image courtesy of Google.

Some of the trees were planted during previous economic development projects. Image courtesy of Google.

The Whittier Greenway Trail has two bridges that cross Five Points. One above Pickering and two above Whittier Blvd. Image courtesy of Google.

Mitigation Plan

City staff and the project arborist found the remaining trees “in good health” but in direct conflict with the new curb lines and median geometry.To offset the loss, the City committed to a 2-to-1 replanting ratio:

66 new trees will be planted — five at 5 Points, one near Painter Avenue, and 60 elsewhere across Whittier.
Replacement species and sites will be posted on the City’s website once finalized.

The majority of the new trees will be planted in communities around 5 points but none will be planted at 5 Points itself. Image courtesy City of Whittier.

Public Opposition

Residents filed 42 appeals, citing canopy loss, public-health impacts, and a desire for larger replacement trees. Six appellants attended the September 17 Parks Commission hearing; none of the appeals succeeded.Commissioners voted 5-0 to deny the appeals, finding the removals necessary to complete safety improvements. No objections were filed after that vote, placing the item on the City Council consent calendar for final approval Tuesday.

Excerpt of City Staff Report regarding local residents' appeal of the Five Points tree removal plans. Information is public record. Image screenshot of city staff report. Screenshot by Rebecca Canales.

Broader Context

The 5 Points project was previously under Caltrans jurisdiction, but after the State relinquished control of Whittier Boulevard to the City, Whittier opted to apply its Parkway Tree Manual process rather than proceed under Caltrans’ separate permit.Environmental review was completed in 2018 under a Mitigated Negative Declaration.

Screenshot of excerpt from City Arborist Report on state of trees at Five Points Intersection. The arborist report is public record and may be accessed at Whittier City Hall or online at the city's website under the city council agenda. Screenshot by Rebecca Canales.