Tree Removal - 123 Eglinton Avenue East

(North Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends the adoption of the following report (September 28, 1998) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

Purpose:

An application has been received from Mr. David McWhirter, MBTW, 240 Duncan Mill Road, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario, M3B 1Z4, for City Council to consider removal of seven City owned trees.

Recommendation:

That tree removal be approved on the condition that:

1.the applicant submit a certified cheque in the amount of $11,983.17 to cover the value of the trees, removal costs and replacement costs of seven City owned trees;

2.the applicant plant four trees, two in turf and two in tree pits on Lillian Street and plant two trees in turf on Redpath Avenue City street allowances upon completion of the project; and

3.the Landscape Plan L-1A, prepared by MBTW be revised to be in accordance with the City of Toronto Standard Tree Pit Planting Detail No=s 103, 103-1, 103-2 & 103-3.

Background:

This request for tree removal forms part of an Official Plan Amendment and/or Re-zoning application filed with Urban Planning & Development Services for the purpose of facilitating construction of a new residential condominium. I understand that the Director, Community Planning, South District is recommending the proposed development be approved.

Comments:

The landscape plan indicates there are nine City owned trees involved with this project. Two linden trees will be protected and preserved during the construction work. The remaining seven trees do not qualify for removal and are the subject of this application for removal. The trees in question are one honeylocust tree, one Norway maple and five linden trees which have diameters ranging from 8 to 62 centimetres. All the trees are in excellent condition except for the Norway maple. The Norway maple is in a declining state but fair condition. An underground garage and rear laneway are proposed to be constructed in close proximity to these trees so their preservation on site cannot be guaranteed.

These trees are valued at $7,667.49. The costs to remove these trees is $990.61 and the costs to replace seven City owned trees in turf are $3,325.07, for a total of $11,983.17.

The applicant proposes to plant four trees in turf and two in sidewalk tree pits along Lillian Street and Redpath Avenue. In addition there will be twenty-two new tree plantings on private property as part of the landscape improvements associated with this project.

Since the proposed project cannot be accomplished without removing the trees, and the tree plantings on City and private property will be a substantial improvement over existing conditions, I therefore recommend approval for removal of these trees subject to conditions set out in this report.

Contact Name:

Warren Quan

Email: wquan@city.toronto.on.ca

Tel: 416-392-1940

Fax: 416-392-6657