August 31, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Director of Development and Support - Toronto Parks & Recreation, City Hall
Office
Subject:165 Roxborough Street East, Toronto, Ward 23 (Midtown) - Municipal Code,
Chapter 331, Article III, Trees
Purpose:
An application for a permit to remove one tree on private property in order to construct a
new garage has been filed by Mr. Stephen Kosa, 165 Roxborough Street East, Toronto,
Ontario, M4W 1V9, owner of 165 Roxborough Street East.
Recommendations:
Either 1 or 2 below.
1) Refuse to issue a permit to remove the tree requiring the applicant to redesign his plans
for construction of a new garage.
2) Issue a permit for removal of the tree conditional on i) the issuance of a building permit
for a new garage and ii) the applicant agreeing to plant a replacement tree to the satisfaction
of the Director of Development and Support.
Comments:
The tree in question is a forty-eight centimetre diameter horsechestnut in fair condition. The
report prepared by Bostock Tree Service that accompanies this application states that the
chestnut tree is healthy and viable in spite of being surrounded on three sides by asphalt and
concrete. The report states that the construction of a new garage is required due to a
Manitoba maple located at the rear of 157 Roxborough Street East that fell and crushed the
previous garage. The Manitoba maple also fell into the chestnut tree requiring extensive
corrective pruning on the west side of the chestnut. The report also states that if a new
garage is to be constructed on the same footprint as the old one, then the corner of the
concrete pad will be lifted along with the asphalt in the laneway by expansion of the tree's
root system, and the corner of the garage will have to allow for the expansion of the tree's
stem. The report concludes that one solution is the removal of the tree while another
involves an arborist working with an architect to save the tree during construction of a new
garage. The chestnut tree was able to coexist with the previous garage and if the plans for
the new garage are prepared with the thought of saving the tree, the tree could be preserved.
The requirements of the Buildings Division of Urban Planning and Development Services
will have to be considered prior to any proposed construction.
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. One written objection was received in response to the application to remove the
tree in question. A copy of this letter has been forwarded to the Community Council
Secretary for the Community Council to review.
Contact Name:Richard Ubbens
Telephone:(416) 392-1894
Facsimile:(416) 392-6657
e-mail:rubbens@city.toronto.on.ca
(Original signed by RU for SR) TF
Susan Richardson
Director of Development and Support - Toronto Parks & Recreation,
City Hall Office
___AEP
bcc:Councillor John Adams, Suite 18, Toronto City Hall
Councillor Ila Bossons, Suite 214, Metro Hall
John Macintyre, 8th Floor, Metro Hall
(p:\1998\ug\cms\prk\to980076.prk)
