The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council issue a permit for tree removal at 2 Cobalt Avenue 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.

The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (March 13, 1998) from the Director, Development and Support, Toronto Parks and Recreation:

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