The Whittier City Council approved the development of a 24-unit, three-story townhome project in Uptown Whittier on Tuesday, granting variances for the developer to save five mature ficus trees adjacent to the planned development.

In a unanimous vote, the council gave the green light to the proposed development at 12826 Philadelphia Street, on the corner of Comstock Avenue, with some conditions, including having the developer pay for future sidewalk repairs and ensure the ficus trees’ health.

“This is what a win-win situation, looks like,” said Conny McCormack, a 28-year resident of Whittier and tree advocate. “These two streets have these canopies that are so invaluable to the community.”

Construction of much-needed new housing while retaining publicly-owned shady canopy trees shows a recognition of Whittier’s tree movement and that saving trees is “complicated but doable,” McCormack said.

Consideration of the project was pulled from the council’s Jan. 14 meeting agenda, after McCormack, retired L.A. County Registrar-Recorder and The Whittier Conservancy objected in public comments and asked for further discussion.

Ben Pongetti, director of community development for the city, presented the item before the council on Tuesday. Matt Waken, the developer, also went before the council to ask for variances on the plan that would allow him to keep the five city-owned ficus trees, three on Comstock Avenue and two on Philadelphia Street.

Waken said he and his team worked on an alternate plan in a bid to stop delays to the project, which began four years ago. The original proposal was for a four-story, 52-unit apartment complex. The Whittier Conservancy sued the city of Whittier alleging an inadequate environmental review. By the time the case was settled, Waken had difficulty with funding the bigger development, and he opted for the single-family, condominium plan.

“This new reimagined project is better,” he said. “I love revitalizing areas and activate a space that sorely needs it.”

Called Comstock Place, the new townhome complex will be built on a site occupied by an unused single-story commercial building with a parking lot.

Councilmember Mary Ann Pacheco said she appreciates the work Waken has done, and that he has earned the support of community members for the project.

“I do think that having those ficus trees are a value added, it’s part of the unique flavor of uptown Whittier,” she said. “I’m speaking rather passionately because that is a terrible corner. There is an overwhelming need to improve that corner which happens to sit in my district.”

Mayor Joe Vinatieri agreed that the new project is a better use of the property than the original plan.

“Uptown sorely needs housing,” he said, referencing the Alpha Beta redevelopment in the works which will include more than 100 affordable units.

“It’s distressing to me that he had to go through what he had to go through, put out as much money as he has and he’s taken the risks as he has,” he said, thanking Waken for speaking with the Whittier Conservancy and coming back with a new proposal.

“I appreciate the fact you have bent over to help out a constituency in this city,” Vinatieri said.

News of the five trees remaining will be celebrated at a “Tree Rally” from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at 6735 Greenleaf Ave., in Uptown Whittier. Organizers at SaveOurTreesWhittier.com said there will be no speeches or pontifications, just a big Valentine’s party for trees ideal for families.

In other business, the council recognized outgoing city manager Brian Saeki, whose tenure ends Feb. 21. Deputies of local leaders including Sen. Bob Archuleta, Assemblymember Lisa Calderon and Supervisor Janice Hahn also presented Saeki with certificates of recognition, as did Kristine Dillon, president of Whittier College.

At the same meeting, Shannon DeLong was appointed interim city manager beginning Feb. 25. DeLong joined the city as assistant city manager in 2018, helping the city earn a Most Business-Friendly City designation; expanding public engagement, family and adaptive recreation programs; establishing a temporary emergency homeless shelter and constructing the permanent Navigation Center; remodeling the historic Whittier Central Library and the Uptown Senior Center; and shepherding the near-complete buildout of The Groves community center.

As assistant city manager, DeLong also helped secure funding for local projects, including the Parnell Park renovation and sports field lights at Murphy Ranch Park.