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Whittier set to finalize 5 Points tree removals, hire hazard-mitigation firm for Metro “Hot Spots” work



The complex intersection of Whittier Boulevard, Painter Avenue, and the 605 Freeway overpass — one of the busiest and most challenging crossings in Whittier, slated for safety and traffic flow improvements under Metro’s “Hot Spots” project. Image courtesy of Google.
The complex intersection of Whittier Boulevard, Painter Avenue, and the 605 Freeway overpass — one of the busiest and most challenging crossings in Whittier, slated for safety and traffic flow improvements under Metro’s “Hot Spots” project. Image courtesy of Google.



By Rebecca Canales

Whittier 360 News Network

October 14, 2025 – Whittier, California



The Whittier City Council on Tuesday is poised to take two linked actions that move the long-planned Metro “Hot Spots” intersection upgrades from paper to pavement:

  1. uphold a Parks, Recreation & Community Services (PRCS) Commission ruling that denied 42 appeals aimed at stopping the removal of 33 trees around the Five Points/Whittier Boulevard corridor; and

  2. approve a $93,800 professional services agreement with Roux Associates, Inc. to carry out CEQA hazard-mitigation measures before and during construction at Whittier Blvd & Santa Fe Springs Rd and Whittier Blvd & Painter Ave.

Both items appear on the agenda’s consent calendar.


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Screenshot: City of Whittier Oct. 14, 2025 City Council agenda—item text and new public-comment guidance.


What the project is

The Metro “Hot Spots” program traces back to the 2013 SR-91/I-605/I-405 Congestion Feasibility Report, a regional effort (Metro + Gateway Cities COG) to fix chronic bottlenecks and safety trouble spots. Whittier secured $13.97 million (Measure R) for two intersections: Whittier at Santa Fe Springs Rd and Whittier at Painter Ave—together known locally as the Five Points area, where Whittier Blvd, Washington Blvd, Pickering Ave, Santa Fe Springs Rd, and La Cuarta St converge.

Planned work includes added through/turn lanes, adjusted lane geometry, median reconstruction, ADA-compliant ramps and sidewalks, upgraded signals and signage, and a retaining wall near the Greenway Trail overcrossing to improve visibility. The City awarded construction to Granite Construction on Dec. 10, 2024, with an estimated 240 working days of field work.


The tree-appeal decision: 33 removals, 66 replacements

City staff report that final design refinements preserved 12 mature London plane (sycamore) trees northwest of Five Points but could not avoid conflicts with 33 other trees—primarily in center medians and along Whittier Blvd east toward Central Ave—where new curb lines, widened lanes, and demolished/rebuilt medians will go.

What’s slated for removal (33 total):

  • 15 Mexican fan palms

  • 16 crape myrtles

  • 1 London plane (sycamore)

  • 1 Kurrajong bottle tree

All are mature (roughly 30–50 years old). A City-certified arborist concluded the affected trees are generally healthy but directly conflict with the engineered median and curb alignments. Staff posted 30-day removal notices on July 22, 2025 and accepted appeals through Aug. 21. The PRCS Commission held a noticed hearing Sept. 17, heard from appellants and one additional speaker, and voted 5-0 to deny the appeals. No formal objection to the Commission’s recommendation was filed afterward, placing the matter on Council’s consent calendar.

Mitigation plan: a 2:1 replanting commitment—66 new trees: 5 at Five Points, 1 near Painter, and 60 elsewhere in the community to be installed by the City. Staff say once locations and species are finalized, they will publish the sites, types, and sizes on the City’s website.

Context: Many of the removals at the Five Points islands are tall fan palms that create a landmark vertical profile but provide limited shade and habitat compared with broadleaf canopy species. Appellants urged preserving mature canopy, planting larger replacement trees, and ensuring equitable re-greening. Staff responded that only cancelling or significantly altering the project could save the in-conflict trees.

The trees slated for removal at 5 Points. To the right the Greenway Trail bridge crosses above Pickering Ave. The trail was built on abandoned railroad tracks. To the left, out of view, a vacant lot that used to be Skateland. Image courtesy of Google.
The trees slated for removal at 5 Points. To the right the Greenway Trail bridge crosses above Pickering Ave. The trail was built on abandoned railroad tracks. To the left, out of view, a vacant lot that used to be Skateland. Image courtesy of Google.


Most of the trees at 5 points are Mexican Fan Palms which provide no shade and don't absorb as much carbon as other species do. These trees have survived rough weather and previous efforts to redevelop the intersection and properties around the intersection, including the development of the Greenway Trial. On the left and center left the main bridge of the Greenway Trail above Whittier Blvd. On the right, there has been a carwash at 5 Points since at least 1963. Image courtesy of Google.
Most of the trees at 5 points are Mexican Fan Palms which provide no shade and don't absorb as much carbon as other species do. These trees have survived rough weather and previous efforts to redevelop the intersection and properties around the intersection, including the development of the Greenway Trial. On the left and center left the main bridge of the Greenway Trail above Whittier Blvd. On the right, there has been a carwash at 5 Points since at least 1963. Image courtesy of Google.


Some of the trees being removed were part of previously economic development projects for now closed stores and restaurants at the intersection. The building in this image was previously a CVS. Prior to that it was a vacant dirt lot. Image courtesy of Google.
Some of the trees being removed were part of previously economic development projects for now closed stores and restaurants at the intersection. The building in this image was previously a CVS. Prior to that it was a vacant dirt lot. Image courtesy of Google.

Hazard mitigation: CEQA measures before digging

In a companion item, Council will consider a Professional Services Agreement with Roux Associates, Inc. for $93,800 to implement two Mitigated Negative Declaration measures:

  • HAZ-1: Prepare a Construction Contingency Plan (CCP) and conduct paint-stripe sampling (lead/chromates) at both intersections to manage any hazardous materials encountered during demolition and excavation.

  • HAZ-2: Perform an underground storage tank (UST) investigation at Whittier & Painter before median/roadway work proceeds.

Cost split: $28,000 for the Santa Fe Springs Rd intersection; $65,800 for Painter (which includes the UST investigation). Funding is grant-backed through LACMTA/Metro. A budget resolution adds the revenue and matching appropriation in FY 2025-26, resulting in no net change to the City’s fund balance.

Why Five Points matters

Five Points is one of Whittier’s most complex junctions: only Whittier Blvd runs straight through; the other legs start or end into it at sharp angles under/near the Greenway Trail bridge. Residents and commuters describe awkward sight lines, short pockets, and unpredictable merges—conditions the “Hot Spots” package is designed to address.

At the same time, the medians and parkway plantings—however imperfect—have given the corridor its recognizable look. The tradeoff between traffic safety/ADA upgrades and urban canopy sits at the heart of the tree appeals.


What I’ll be watching at Tuesday’s meeting

  • Replanting specifics: Where will the 66 new trees go, what species/sizes, and on what timeline? (see map below).

  • UST risk at Painter: What historical use triggered the investigation, and could findings delay or add cost? Who pays if remediation is needed?

  • Construction sequencing: How will hazard-mitigation work interact with median/curb demolition and traffic control?

  • Shade equity: Can some of the 60 citywide replacements be targeted to heat-vulnerable blocks near the project limits to offset lost shade?

  • Public transparency: Will the Construction Contingency Plan be posted and summarized for residents?

    Most of the trees being removed are Mexican Fan Palms. Image courtesy City of Whittier.
    Most of the trees being removed are Mexican Fan Palms. Image courtesy City of Whittier.


None of the replacement trees will be replanted at 5 Points. All of the new trees will be planted in nearby neighborhoods, including Lower Uptown. Image courtesy City of Whittier
None of the replacement trees will be replanted at 5 Points. All of the new trees will be planted in nearby neighborhoods, including Lower Uptown. Image courtesy City of Whittier

The bottom line

If Council adopts both consent items, Whittier will have:

  • Formal authorization to remove 33 in-conflict trees (with a 2:1 replanting commitment), and

  • A specialist on board to meet CEQA hazard requirements so the Hot Spots construction can proceed.

Whittier 360 will attend Tuesday’s meeting and report outcomes, including any amendments, conditions, or clarifications made from the dais. If you live, work, or drive through Five Points, this is the meeting to watch. If you want to speak on the issue, you will need to do so during public comments which has a 3 minute limit. For further information: What are HAZ-1 and HAZ-2?These are CEQA mitigation measures from the project’s Mitigated Negative Declarations:

 
 
 

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