December 23, 1998
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
Subject:20 A Thornwood Road, Toronto, Ward 23 (Midtown) - Municipal Code, Chapter
331, Article III, Trees
Purpose:
An application for a permit to remove one tree on private property that the applicant's arborist
feels is not sustainable on the site has been filed by Mr. John Lloyd, Lloyd and Nodwell
Landscape Architects, 59 Huntley Street, Toronto, Ontario, M4Y 2L2, agent for the owner of
20 A Thornwood Road.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Recommendations:
Either 1, or 2 below
- refuse to issue a permit for tree removal;
- issue a permit for tree removal conditional on the applicant providing a detailed landscape
plan for the property to be approved by the Commissioner of Economic Development,
Culture & Tourism.
Comments:
The tree in question is a seventy-five centimetre diameter weeping willow in fair condition.
The arborist report prepared by Shady Lane Expert Tree Care Inc., dated September 25, 1998,
that accompanies the application states that the willow tree is structurally weak and leaning
towards the house. The report states that the tree was topped in the past resulting in sucker
growth in the crown. The report concludes that the willow should be removed as it is not
sustainable on this site. In the opinion of staff the willow tree is structurally sound and viable
to maintain at this time. The previous owner constructed the existing house with the intention
of preserving the willow tree on the site and contracted an arborist to implement a tree
preservation plan to protect the tree during construction. The willow tree is a fast growing,
weak wooded species and as the crown of this specimen consists of sucker growth, as a result
of past severe pruning, the tree will have to be monitored regularly by a qualified tree expert
in order to schedule any maintenance requirements.
A notice of application sign was posted on the property for the required 14 day posting period,
in order to notify the neighbourhood and provide an opportunity for objection to the
application. Six written objections were received in response to the application to remove the
tree in question. Copies of these letters have been forwarded to the Community Council
Secretary for the Community Council to review.
Contact Name:
Andrew Pickett
Telephone:(416) 392-6644
Facsimile:(416) 392-6657
e-mail:apickett@toronto.ca
Joe Halstead
Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
___AEP
bcc:Councillor John Adams, Suite 18, Toronto City Hall
Councillor Ila Bossons, Suite 214, Metro Hall
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