February 2, 1999
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
Subject:21 Burton Road, Toronto, Ward 23 (Midtown) - Municipal Code, Chapter 331,
Article III, Trees
Purpose:
An application for a permit to injure one tree on private property to allow for construction of a
new house has been filed by Mr. David Good, Dama Investments Ltd., 176 Cortleigh Blvd,
Toronto, Ontario, M5N 1P5, owner of 21 Burton Road.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Recommendations:
That the Toronto Community Council issue a permit for the removal of the thirty-five
centimetre diameter American elm conditional on the applicant agreeing to plant a minimum
of two 80 millimetre caliper large growing native shade trees.
Comments:
The tree in question is a thirty-five centimetre diameter American elm in fair condition located
on the property of 36 Vesta Drive. The arborist report prepared by Thomson, Bruce and
Associates, that accompanies this application states that the tree is in good health with no
deadwood in the crown and normal growth increments for 1998. The report states that the
proposed new house will require excavation within two metres of the base of the tree, contrary
to the minimum construction specifications of 2.4 metres required by the City. The report also
states that the construction of the house within the 2.4 metre limit will have an effect on the
health of the American elm but the impact can be reduced if the tree protection measures
proposed in the report are implemented. The elm tree has already lost approximately fifty
percent of its root system as a result of construction for the house at 36 Vesta Drive, which
occurred several years ago. The construction activity proposed for 21 Burton Road will be
extensive and the tree will sustain root damage that will result in dieback of the tree crown
such that the tree will require remedial pruning for several years following construction.
It should be noted that the owner's of 36 Vesta Drive requested permission from Urban
Forestry staff to remove the tree in October 1998 and they were advised to complete an
application form and that the consent of City Council was required prior to the removal of the
tree. The request did not proceed beyond this point.
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. One written objection was received in response to the application to injure the
tree in question. A copy of this letter has been forwarded to the Community Council Secretary
for the Community Council to review.
Contact Name:
Andrew Pickett
392-6644
Joe Halstead
Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
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