Tree Removal - 175 Hanson Street

(East Toronto)

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

The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism to write to the developer, expressing the Community Council=s concern with respect to damage done to the trees as a result of development activities, prior to the developer gaining approval for the tree removal.

Purpose:

A written request has been filed under the provisions of City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 331, Trees, Article I, for permission to remove three City owned trees situated on the Hanson Street road allowance adjacent to the above noted property.

Recommendations:

That Toronto Community Council approve the request for the removal of the three City owned trees indicated in this report and that such approval be conditional on:

(1)the applicant paying the monetary value of the trees in question, associated removal costs and the cost for Forestry Services to plant three 80 mm caliper replacement trees on City owned land at another location, a total of $5261.26;

(2)the trees in question not being removed until permitted construction and/or demolition related activities in accordance with plans approved under Rezoning Application No. 196017 commence which warrant the destruction of the trees; and

(3)the applicant planting twelve (12) 70 to 80 mm caliper replacement trees in accordance with the plan prepared by Don Naylor + Associates, received with a covering letter dated June 23, 1998 and on file with the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture & Tourism.

Background:

This request for tree removal has been received in connection with Rezoning Application No. 196017 for the purpose of facilitating the construction of 24 residential townhouse units and 16 condominium units on the above noted site. Site Plan Approval for this development was issued on March 11, 1997.

A recent review of the landscape plan approved under the Rezoning Application was undertaken by the applicant. The review concluded that the streetscape along the Hanson Street frontage of the subject development site would be significantly improved by planting a new tree in each of the front yards of the eleven new townhouses which will front Hanson Street.

Comments:

I have received a request from Mr. Don Naylor of Don Naylor + Associates, 245 Main Street North, Brampton, Ontario, L6X 1N3, acting on behalf of the owner of 175 Hanson Street, that the City consider the removal of three City owned trees situated on the Hanson Street road allowance adjacent to the above noted property.

The three trees in question are as follows:

1.30 cm diameter Scots Pine in fair condition;

2.18 cm diameter Japanese Flowering Cherry in fair condition; and

3.56 cm diameter Manitoba Maple in fair condition.

All three trees require City Council approval to permit their removal. The trees in question are of a size which does not permit their relocation.

The total appraised value of the three trees in question is $3353.56. The total cost for Forestry Services to remove all three trees is $482.67. The cost for Forestry Services to plant three 80 mm caliper replacement trees on City owned land at another location is $1425.03. One condition of approval to permit the removal of the trees in question is that the applicant submit payment to Forestry Services in the total amount of $5261.26 to cover the amounts outlined above.

The landscape plan which was filed with the request for tree removal indicates the planting of twelve (12) new trees along the City road allowances adjacent to the subject development site. The trees indicated for planting are eleven Shubert Choke Cherry trees on the Hanson Street road allowance and one Littleleaf Linden on the Bastedo Avenue road allowance. The planting of these new trees will enhance the streetscape in this neighbourhood and be a significant improvement relative to the existing conditions.

I therefore recommend that the request to remove the trees in question be approved and that such approval meet the conditions outlined in the recommendations above.

Contact Name:

Gary R. Le Blanc

Telephone:(416) 392-0494

Facsimile:(416) 392-6657

E-mail:gleblanc@city.toronto.on.ca