March 13, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Director of Development and Support - Toronto Parks & Recreation, City Hall Office
Subject:2 Cobalt Avenue, Toronto, Ward 21 (Davenport) - Municipal Code, Chapter 331, Article III, Trees
Purpose:
An application for a permit to remove two trees on private property to allow for the construction of a detached garage has
been filed by Mr. Louis Velho, Velho Design, 644 St. Clarens Ave., Toronto, Ontario, M6H 3W9, agent for the owner of 2
Cobalt Avenue.
Recommendations:
Either 1 or 2 below.
1) Refuse to issue a permit to remove the tree requiring the applicant to reconsider his plans for a detached garage.
2) Issue a permit for tree removal conditional on the applicant planting a five inch caliper red oak replacement tree upon
completion of construction, as indicated in the plan accompanying the application for tree removal.
Comments:
The trees in question include an eighty-one centimetre diameter red oak that qualifies as hazardous and meets the criteria
for an exemption under Article III, Chapter 331 of the City of Toronto Municipal Code. No permit is required for the
removal of the red oak tree. The second tree is a seventy centimetre diameter white oak in fair condition. The site plan,
prepared by Velho Design, that accompanies this application indicates the proposed new garage being in direct conflict
with the white oak tree. The applicant has indicated in the site plan that a red oak tree will be planted as replacement if
approval is granted for the removal of the white oak tree.
The white oak is a rare species in Toronto=s urban forest and native to Southern Ontario. In the opinion of urban forestry
staff, the proposed garage should be redesigned to protect and retain the white oak tree. If a garage cannot be designed that
would adequately protect the tree during construction, urban forestry staff are of the opinion that the plans for a garage
should be abandoned.
A notice of application sign was posted on the property for the required 14 day posting period, in order to notify the
neighbourhood and provide an opportunity for objection to the application. No written objections were received in response
to the application to remove the tree in question.
Contact Name:Richard Ubbens
Telephone:(416) 392-1894
Facsimile:(416) 392-6657
e-mail:rubbens@city.toronto.on.ca
Susan Richardson
Director of Development and Support - Toronto Parks & Recreation,
City Hall Office
___AEP
bcc:Councillor Betty Disero, Suite 11, Toronto City Hall
Councillor Dennis Fotinos, Suite 222, Metro Hall
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