The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council 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.

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 one tree on private property to allow for the construction of a driveway to access a new home proposed to be built on the property has been filed by Mr. Stephen Gill, 262 Jedburgh Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5M 3K4, agent for the owner of 27 Glengrove Avenue East.

Recommendations:

Either 1 or 2 below.

(1) Refuse to issue a permit to remove the tree requiring the applicant to redesign his driveway.

(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 tree in question is a thirty-three centimetre diameter Norway spruce in fair condition. The arborist report, prepared by Kelly's Tree Care, that accompanies this application states that the Norway spruce tree will have to be removed or the driveway rerouted. The plan, prepared by Stephen Gill Associates, dated February 14, 1998, that accompanies this application indicates the proposed new driveway being constructed within two feet from the base of the Norway spruce tree. The tree would not survive the excavation involved with the driveway construction. The applicant has stated in his application that a red oak tree will be planted as replacement if approval is granted for the removal of the Norway spruce tree.

The construction activity proposed for this property will be extensive and it will be difficult if not impossible to adequately protect the spruce tree from injury. The removal of the spruce tree, conditional on the replacement planting of a red oak after construction is completed would be an acceptable option in the opinion of urban forestry staff.

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

Mr. Steve Gill, Toronto, Ontario, appeared before the Toronto Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter.