February 2, 1999
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism
Subject:378 Russell Hill Road, Toronto, Ward 23 (Midtown) - Municipal Code, Chapter
331, Article III, Trees
Purpose:
An application for a permit to remove three trees on private property to allow for construction
of a driveway and rear garage has been filed by Mr. Egils J. Didrichsons, Curr Didrichsons
Designs Limited, 44 Banff Road, Toronto, M4S 2V5, agent for the owner of 378 Russell Hill
Road, Ms. Karen Applebaum, 1 Graywood Avenue, Thornhill, Ontario, L4S 7W4.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Recommendations:
Either 1, or 2 below
1. issue a permit for tree removal conditional on:
i)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 property commence which warrant the destruction of the trees, and the concerns of
the objectors with respect to water flow being dealt with during the building permit process;
and
ii) the applicant providing a detailed landscape plan for the property to be approved by the
Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture & Tourism; or
2. refuse to issue a permit for tree removal requiring the applicant to abandon or redesign
plans for the driveway and garage construction.
Comments:
The trees in question include an eighty-six centimetre diameter Manitoba maple and two
Carolina poplars with diameters of eighty-four and ninety-six centimetres. The three trees are
in fair condition. The Manitoba maple is located on the south property line and its removal is
required to facilitate the construction of the proposed new driveway. The two poplar trees are
located on the west property line and require removal to allow for the proposed garage
construction.
The arborist report prepared by Thomson, Bruce & Associates that accompanies the
application states that the Manitoba maple is in good condition with a large spreading crown
and no visible deadwood. The report states that the two Carolina poplars are in good condition
but have possible structural defects as a result of the trees being previously topped. The report
indicates that the entire crown of both trees consists of secondary growth and that decay has
entered into the main stem and branches at sites where the topping cuts were made.
The property owner has retained the agent mentioned above to prepare and implement a
landscape plan. The three trees involved with this application are weak wooded, fast growing
specimens and their removal conditional on replacement planting with several large growing
native shade trees is an acceptable option in the opinion of Urban Forestry staff.
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. Five written objections were received in response to the application to remove the
trees in question. Copies of these letters have 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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