Tree Removal - 40 Alexander Street
(Downtown)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that the request for the removal of two trees situated on private
property at 40 Alexander Street be approved, conditional on:
(1)the trees in question not being removed until permitted construction and/or demolition related activities in
accordance with plans approved under the building permit application for the subject project commence which
warrant the destruction of the trees; and
(2)the applicant planting a minimum of ten (10) 200 cm replacement trees in accordance with Landscape Plan
L-1a prepared by Terraplan Landscape Architects, received by Economic Development, Culture & Tourism,
Forestry Services on October 20, 1998 and on file with the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture &
Tourism.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (October 29, 1998) from the Commissioner,
Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:
Purpose:
An application has been filed under the provisions of City of Toronto Municipal Code, Chapter 331, Trees, Article III, for
a permit to remove two trees situated on the private property of the above noted address.
Recommendations:
That if Toronto Community Council approves the request for the removal of the two trees situated on private property
indicated in this report, that such approval be conditional on:
(1)the trees in question not being removed until permitted construction and/or demolition related activities in accordance
with plans approved under the building permit application for the subject project commence which warrant the destruction
of the trees; and
(2)the applicant planting a minimum of ten (10) 200 cm replacement trees in accordance with Landscape Plan L-1a
prepared by Terraplan Landscape Architects, received by Economic Development, Culture & Tourism, Forestry Services
on October 20, 1998 and on file with the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture & Tourism.
Background:
This request for tree removal has been received in connection with a proposal to construct a cooling tower and an elevator
hoist on the property of 40 Alexander Street. The new cooling tower will service the three existing buildings at 40 and 50
Alexander Street and 55 Maitland Street, while the elevator hoist will service the three existing buildings and a new
residential condominium building to be constructed at 500 Church Street which is currently in the process of Site Plan
Approval. The cooling tower and elevator hoist proposal received Committee of Adjustment approval on August 26, 1998.
Comments:
We are in receipt of a request from Mr. Paul H. Northgrave of Northgrave Architect Inc., 66 Gloucester Street, Toronto,
Ontario, M4Y 1L5, acting on behalf of Greenrock Investments Limited/The Second
Greenrock Corporation, the owner of 40 Alexander Street, that the City consider the removal of two trees situated on the
private property of 40 Alexander Street near the existing building with the convenience address of 55 Maitland Street.
As required under Section 331-13.B. of Municipal Code Chapter 331, Trees, Article III, a 'Notice' of application sign was
posted on the property for the minimum 14 day posting period. Just prior to the end of the 14 day posting period, two calls
from residents living in the vicinity of 40 Alexander Street were received by Forestry Services staff expressing concern
with respect to the visibility of the 'Notice' of application sign. Forestry Services staff confirmed that the 'Notice' was
posted in an inappropriate location and as such, the posting period was extended by 7 days. Two (2) letters were received
in response to the notice of application to remove the trees in question.
The two trees in question are as follows:
1.31 cm diameter Austrian Pine in fair condition; and
2.34 cm diameter Austrian Pine in fair condition.
Both trees require City Council approval to permit their removal.
The trees in question are of a size which does not permit their relocation. The proposed accessory structures in their
present form preclude the retention of the two trees proposed for removal due to the size, scale and placement of the
accessory structures.
The landscape plan which was filed with Forestry Services indicates the planting of ten (10) new 200 cm Colorado Blue
Spruce trees to the north of the proposed cooling tower and to the south of the proposed elevator hoist.
Should Toronto Community Council recommend that the request to remove the trees in question be approved, such
approval should 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
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(The Toronto Community Council reports for the information of Council, also having had before it a communication
(October 14, 1998) from Ms. Elisa Amsterdam, President, Village Green Tennants' Association, which was forwarded to
all Members of the Toronto Community Council with agenda for its meeting on November 12, 1998 and a copy thereof is
on file in the office of the City Clerk.)
The Toronto Community Council reports for the information of Council, also having had before it the following
communication (undated) from Paul McSherry; and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.
Mr. Matthew Bernstein, Landscape Architect, Terraplan Landscape Architects appeared before the Toronto Community
Council in connection with the foregoing matter.
