June 4, 1999
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Subject:City Tree at 174 Madison Avenue - Front Yard Parking Application Ward 23 - Midtown
Purpose:
At its meeting on May 26, 1999 Toronto Community Council considered an application from Ms. Maya
Zimmerman-Litman and Mr. Mel Litman for Front Yard Parking at 174 Madison Avenue. Toronto Community Council
deferred the application to its next meeting on June 22, 1999 and requested that the Urban Forestry Section review the
application for front yard parking at 174 Madison Avenue as it pertains to the City-owned tree at that property.
Recommendations:
It is recommended that:
- the Specifications for Construction Near Trees, as set by the Urban Forestry Section for the former City of
Toronto, regarding tree protection be adhered to until the harmonization of the tree protection by-law .
Background:
The tree in question is a ninety-one centimetre Silver Maple in fair to good condition, valued at $5883.65.
Applications for Front Yard Parking are submitted to the Works and Emergency Services Department for their review. If
the application meets the Urban Forestry Section's Specifications for Construction Near Trees, the application is accepted
as it pertains to City-owned trees. The Specifications for trees greater than 50 centimetres in diameter require that: "No
grade change or impermeable surface treatment is permitted within 4 metres of the base of the tree. Permeable surface
treatment such as gravel, chipped brick, turf stone or ecostone is permitted up to 2.4 metres of the tree base. Excavation
between 2.4 metres and 4 metres must be hand dug and roots must not be cut." If the application does not meet the
Specifications, it is denied.
Conclusion:
The front yard parking application submitted by the owners of 174 Madison Avenue meets the Urban Forestry Section's
Specifications for Construction Near Trees which have been designed to minimize the potential injury to trees caused by
shared uses on City boulevards. The proposal includes the use of an eco-stone treatment, which will allow grass to grow
through holes in the surface treatment. This will allow for the exchange of oxygen, nutrients and water, which the tree
needs.
In order to further reduce the impact of the front yard parking area on the tree, the applicant may wish to consider utilizing
the smallest possible area, such as creating only strips on which the tires could drive or by simply placing crushed stone,
chipped brick or gravel at grade with no removal of topsoil.
Contact:
Vicky Jeffery
392-7390
Joe Halstead
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
