The Toronto Community Council recommends adoption of the following report (March 5, 1998) from the Director, Development & Support - Toronto Parks and Recreation:

Purpose:

City Council approval is required respecting staff decisions on applications for removal of trees on municipal property pursuant to: Municipal Code, Chapter 331, Article I; authority delegated to City staff to plant, maintain or remove trees; and approved criteria.

The Toronto Community Council as a standing committee of City Council under the Procedural Bylaw has been authorized to hear deputations, if any, and make recommendations to City Council respecting staff decisions on, among other things, requests to remove trees located on City street allowance.

An application has been received from MBTW for the removal of 11 City owned trees in order to facilitate proposed building construction and streetscape work.

Recommendations:

That City Council approves the following staff decision:

(1) the applicant pay $5,546.57 for the value, removal and replacement cost for the 11 trees; and

(2) the applicant plant in accordance with Streetscape Landscape Plans LA-1 to LA-6 inclusive, prepared by MBTW, dated July 9, 1997, and revised January 26, 1998.

Comments:

I have received a request from Mr. Peter Kanitsch, MBTW, 240 Duncan Mill Road, Suite 500 Toronto, Ontario M3B 1Z4, that City Council consider a request for removal of 11 City owned trees fronting 1669 Queen Street East. Mr. Kanitsch reports that the trees cannot be preserved due to conflicts with utilities, sidewalk locations and pedestrian circulation and the proposed building construction and streetscape work.

Previously, there were a total of 18 city owned trees situated on the City road allowance adjacent to the development site. Seven trees were approved for removal by the former City of Toronto Council at its meeting held on April 14, 1997 (Clause 38, City Services Committee Report 5) in order to accommodate construction of the 5 new streets proposed for the development site. There are currently 11 City owned trees remaining on the City road allowance. The trees range in size from 6 to 23 cm in diameter. Eight trees are in good condition and three are in fair condition. The trees have a cumulative value of $2,088.27. The cost to remove the 11 trees is $1,133.78 and the cost to plant 11 replacement trees is $2,324.52.

The existing trees cannot be preserved in their current locations because of the extent of sidewalk construction that will be required in conjunction with development of the site. Construction will result in major damage to the tree roots and crowns which will ultimately lead to the demise of these trees. The location of underground utilities will not permit the relocation of trees that are in good condition. In addition, the trees are currently not in alignment along the sidewalk; some are located directly behind the curb while others are located behind the sidewalk. This could result in conflicts with pedestrian circulation following construction.

The developers for the site, EMM Financial Corporation have committed to the planting of 600 trees throughout the site, including street trees. In addition to this, 33 new trees are currently proposed for planting on the Queen Street frontage. The applicant proposes to provide replacement trees that are 100 mm caliper which are to be planted in alignment behind the curb in continuous tree pits. The applicant further intends to plant 39 new trees at the flanking intersections of Queen Street and the 5 new streets. All totalled, 79 new trees are proposed to be planted on Queen Street and the flanking intersections with the new streets to replace the trees which are the subject of this application. This represents a replacement of 4 trees for each original City owned tree.

The proposed streetscape treatment will use best environmental practices and will maximize tree planting. The plan will provide a streetscape that is superior to what currently exists and this will be beneficial in the long term. I therefore recommend approval for the removal of the 11 trees provided that the applicant pays all costs.

Contact Name:

Richard Ubbens, City Arborist

5^th Floor East Tower, City Hall

Telephone: 392-1894

Email: rubbens@city.toronto.on.ca