February 20, 1998
To:The Urban Environment and Development Committee
From:Interim Functional Lead, Transportation
Subject:Removal of Trees from the Bayview Avenue right-of-way between Sheppard Avenue East and Mallingham Court.
Ward:North York - Centre; Councillors John Filion, Norman Gardner
Purpose:
To authorize the removal of six trees in connection with the construction of the Sheppard Subway Bayview Station.
Funding Sources:
The costs associated with this work will be the responsibility of the Toronto Transit Commission.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that authority be granted for the removal of six trees from the Bayview Avenue right-of-way between
Sheppard Avenue East and Mallingham Court.
Background:
Metro By-law 211-74, Section 10, ss(i) and (ii), provides that, "no person shall injure, destroy, or cut down any tree on a
Metropolitan Road without the approval of Metropolitan Council".
Discussion:
As a precursor to the construction of the Bayview Station a series of overhead and underground utilities must be relocated
out of the way of the subway structure and work area. Among these are an existing hydro vault and chamber at the
northeast corner of the Bayview Avenue/Sheppard Avenue intersection.
This plant must be relocated to another location along Bayview Avenue and will consist of one underground and one above
ground vault. To relocate the plant to the east side of Bayview Avenue would require the acquisition of a sizeable easement
due to limited right-of-way width. This would be expensive and would introduce constraints on the future development of
the adjacent property. On the west side of Bayview Avenue there are two locations where sufficient right-of-way exists,
approximately 10 metres south of Mallingham Court and approximately 15 metres north of Mallingham Court. Both these
locations provide sufficient property for the construction of the plant and access by hydro crews for future maintenance. At
the northerly location, however, a significant grade difference of approximately five metres exists between the existing
landscaped area of the right-of-way and the sidewalk/roadway elevation. Extensive grading, some tree removal, and the
construction of a retaining wall would be required to utilize this site. The southerly location would require the removal of
six mature trees but no significant re-grading. A detailed cost/benefit analysis determined that the southerly location
imposes the lowest overall cost for the relocation of the hydro plant
The trees to be removed (2 maple, 4 pine) are located adjacent to the front and side yard of the end townhouse on the south
side of Mallingham Court. The specific hydro vault location preserves a group of trees adjacent to the backyard of the
townhouse. The Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) propose the installation of a 2.5 metre cedar fence to screen the
townhouse from Bayview Avenue following the tree removal.
The trees to be removed have a replacement value of $4,636.00. The TTC is responsible for the replacement value plus
associated costs. These funds, and other funds collected as the result of Sheppard Subway work will be used in the
Sheppard Avenue corridor to enhance the streetscape of areas disturbed by construction. Installation of appropriate
streetscaping will occur upon final restoration of Sheppard Avenue after completion of the subway.
Conclusion:
In order to facilitate the construction of the Sheppard Subway, Bayview Station, it is recommended that approval be
granted to remove six trees.
Contact Name and Telephone Number:
David Butler, Manager
Sheppard Subway Traffic Operations (416) 392-5285
D.P. Floyd
Interim Functional Lead, Transportation
Reviewed by Barry Gutteridge
Commissioner, Works and Emergency Services
DB/dav;jr
