CITY CLERK

Clause embodied in Report No. 9 of the North York Community Council, to be considered by the Council of the City of Toronto at its meeting to be held on October 26, 27 and 28, 1999.

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Other Items Considered by the Community Council

(j) Waiving of Tree Preservation Charges for the Removal of Trees - 1857 Leslie Street - Don Parkway.

The North York Community Council reports having deferred consideration of the following report to its next meeting scheduled for November 9, 1999:

(September 20, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, reporting on a motion by Councillor D. Minnan-Wong, as requested by the North York Community Council at its meeting held on September 14, 1999, and recommending that since North York Community Council has approved the removal of the trees, such removals should be conditional on the applicant paying the standard tree removal and amenity costs, totalling $14,502.00; and that the funds for the value of the trees to be removed be used for replacement tree planting within the local area and not for other specific amenities related to the project.

September 20, 1999

To: North York Community Council

From: Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject: 1857 Leslie Street, Ward 11 - Don Parkway

Purpose:

This report provides information regarding a Motion to the Community Council from Councillor Denzil Minnan-Wong that the Tree Preservation Charges for 1857 Leslie Street be waived and that the amount of these charges be applied to improvements to the local area.

Source of Funds:

Staff and equipment to remove these trees and their stumps is $3,800.00. The City would lose an asset worth $10,702.00. The total amenity value plus removal costs are $14,502.00.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that since North York Community Council has approved the removal of the trees, such removals should be conditional on the applicant paying the standard tree removal and amenity costs, a total of $14,502.00.

Background:

There is currently a Building Permit Application (B99-03241) at this address. The original evaluation of the site included 19 trees consisting of 4 Colorado Spruce trees and 15 Austrian Pine trees ranging in size from 27 to 45 cm in diameter. The amenity value plus removal costs of the trees total $37,512.00. Eleven of these 19 trees are actually located on a City Easement (Instrument No. 552992) and are the responsibility of the property owner. The remaining eight trees are situated on the City road allowance and have a total amenity value plus costs of $14,502.00.

Conclusion:

As trees are valuable assets to the quality of life in a community, it is recommended that the funds for the value of the trees to be removed be used for replacement tree planting within the local area and not for other specific amenities related to the project. Waiving the costs for tree removal and amenity value would set an undesirable precedent across the City.

Coniferous trees provide a broad range of beneficial qualities when planted in appropriate locations. If City Council permits the funds from the removal of the trees to be used for replacement tree planting, it is recommended similar coniferous species be selected for Kirkwood or Mossgrove Park which are located in close proximity to the development site.

Contact name:

Tony Fleischmann

Supervisor, Urban Forestry

Planning and Protection

North District

395-6134

Joe Halstead

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

CITY CLERK

Clause embodied in Report No. 8 of the North York Community Council, to be considered by the Council of the City of Toronto at its meeting to be held on September 28, 29, and 30, 1999.

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(s) Waiving of Tree Preservation Charges for the Removal of Trees - 1857 Leslie Street - Don Parkway.

The North York Community Council reports having amended the last Operative Paragraph in the following Resolution by Councillor Minnan-Wong, Don Parkway, to read AFurther Resolved that an equal amount be paid by the applicant and applied to the improvements in the local area and be subject to approval by the Planning Staff, and be made to the satisfaction of the local Councillors@, and having deferred consideration of the Resolution, as amended, to its next meeting scheduled for October 12, 1999:

The North York Community Council also reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, to prepare a report on this matter, such report to comment on the manner in which the funds collected from the applicant would be utilized.

The North York Community Council submits the following Resolution from Councillor Minnan-Wong, Don Parkway:

WHEREAS Council approved the development of a commercial retail shopping mall at York Mills Road and Leslie Street municipally known as 1857 Leslie Street (UDCA-99-343); and

WHEREAS in order to improve the traffic flow, the City required a signal light be installed at York Mills Road and Scarscale Road; and

WHEREAS this new intersection requires the removal of a number of trees; and

WHEREAS extensive landscaping has been incorporated into the Site Plan; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Tree Preservation Charges as determined by the City arborist be waived; and

FURTHER that the amount of these charges be applied to improvements to the local area and be subject to approval by the Planning Staff and be to the satisfaction of the local Councillors.

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Mr. John Davies, property owner of 1857 Leslie Street, appeared before the North York Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter.