October 22, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
Subject:10 & 20 Avoca Avenue, Toronto, Ward 23 (Midtown) - Municipal Code, Chapter 331, Article III, Trees
Purpose:
An application for a permit to remove four trees on private property in order to repair and waterproof the garage roof deck
of the west parking lot has been filed by Mr. Davide Carnevale, The Tree Specialists Inc., 1151 North Service Road W.,
Oakville, Ontario, L6L 6K4, agent for the owner of 10 & 20 Avoca Avenue.
Recommendations:
That Toronto Community Council approve the request for removal of the four trees situated on private property indicated
in this report conditional on:
1) the trees in question not being removed until permitted construction related activities in accordance with plans
approved under the building permit application for the subject project commence which warrant the destruction of the
trees;
2) the applicant planting one eighty millimetre caliper, large growing nursery stock tree for each tree that is approved for
removal.
Comments:
The trees in question are thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-four and thirty-eight centimetre diameter Austrian pines, all in fair
condition. The arborist report prepared by The Tree Specialists Inc., that accompanies this application states that to
effectively apply a waterproofing membrane to the roof of an underground parking garage, excavation will have to occur
in close proximity to the trees mentioned above. The application for tree removal also includes a letter from a Professional
Engineer stating that sections of the garage roof cannot be repaired or waterproofed completely unless the trees are
removed. The letter recommends that the trees close to the garage roof deck be removed prior to the start of the work so
that concrete repair and waterproofing can be continuous over the area of the garage roof deck most subject to water and
salt ingress.
In a letter from the Resident Property Manager of the Avoca Apartments Limited, it states that they agree to plant one
nursery stock tree for each tree that is approved for removal. In the opinion of Urban Forestry staff this would be an
acceptable option if the species chosen for replacement planting are large growing shade trees.
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 trees in question.
Conclusion:
Since repair and waterproofing of the underground garage roof cannot be undertaken without removal of these trees and
the applicant will plant four new large growing trees to replace the existing trees after construction is complete, I
recommend that approval be granted for removal of these trees in accordance with the recommendations of this report.
Contact Name:Richard Ubbens
Telephone:(416) 392-1894
Facsimile:(416) 392-6657
e-mail:rubbens@city.toronto.on.ca
Joe Halstead
Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
Metro Hall
___AEP
bcc:Councillor John Adams, Suite 18, Toronto City Hall
Councillor Ila Bossons, Suite 214, Metro Hall
John Macintyre, 8th Floor, Metro Hall
Andrew Pickett, 5th Floor, East Tower, City Hall
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