Removal of City-Owned Tree -
40 Alexander Street (Midtown)
The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report
(September 1, 1998) from the Director of Development and Support, Toronto Parks
and Recreation:
Purpose:
An application has been received from Mr. Matthew Bernstein, Terraplan, Landscape
Architects, 20 Champlain Boulevard, Unit 102, Toronto, Ontario, M3H 2Z1, for City
Council to consider removal of two City owned trees.
Recommendation:
That tree removal be approved on the condition that:
(1)the applicant submit a certified cheque in the amount of $4,615.16 to cover the value of
the trees, removal costs and replacement costs of two City owned trees;
(2)the applicant plant four trees on Alexander Street of minimum 80 mm caliper and of a
species satisfactory to the Director of Development and Support, on completion of the
project.
Background:
This request for tree removal forms part of a Committee of Adjustment application filed
with Urban Development Services for the purpose of replacing the existing retail store and
office building.
Comments:
The landscape plan indicates there are four City owned trees involved with this project. One
of the two Norway maples is in poor condition. This tree will be removed and replaced at no
cost to the applicant. The other Norway maple will be protected and preserved during the
construction work. The remaining two trees do not qualify for removal and are the subject of
this application for removal. The trees in question are a 26 cm diameter tree-of-heaven and a
50 cm diameter Mulberry. The building and underground garage are proposed to be
constructed in close proximity to these trees so their preservation on site cannot be
guaranteed.
These trees are in excellent condition and valued at $2,321.02. The costs to remove these
trees is $1,344.12 and the costs to replace two City owned trees in turf are $950.02, for a
total of $4,615.16.
Since these two trees cannot be preserved due to their proximity to the existing building and
proposed building, I am recommending that approval be granted for the removal of the two
trees provided that the applicant pay for all costs and tree values listed above, and plants
four trees of minimum 80 mm caliper on Alexander Street.
Contact Name:
Warren Quan
Email: wquan@city.toronto.on.ca
Tel: 416-392-1940
Fax: 416-392-6657