September 20, 1999
To:Toronto Community Council
From:Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
Subject:157 Coldstream Avenue - Removal of Private Trees, Ward 22 - North Toronto
Purpose:
An application for a permit to remove two trees on private property has been filed by Mr Davide Carnevale, The Tree
Specialists Inc., agent for the owners Kathryn & Eric Silmser, 157 Coldstream Avenue, Toronto, M5N 1X7. The owner
would like to construct a rear addition and re-landscape the property.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Recommendations:
Either 1, or 2 below
- refuse to issue a permit for the blue spruce in the front yard and issue a permit for the Norway spruce in the rear yard; or
- refuse to issue a permit for removal of both spruce trees; or
- issue a permit for removal of both spruce trees conditional on the planting of replacement trees to the satisfaction of the
Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.
Comments:
The trees in question include a 35 centimetre diameter blue spruce at the front of the property and a 43 centimetre diameter
Norway spruce at the rear of the property. Both trees are in fair condition. The property owner would like to landscape the
front yard and the blue spruce does not fit in with the landscape plans. An addition is proposed for the rear of the house that
will require the removal of the Norway spruce. A tree protection plan has been submitted with the application that provides
recommendations on protecting two privately owned Norway maple trees during the construction of the rear addition and
swimming pool. One of the Norway maples is located on the neighbouring property to the west and our Department will be
requiring the owner of the subject property to contract an arborist to implement the tree protection plan to ensure there is
no damage to the Norway maples from construction activity.
The blue spruce at the front of the property is a valuable tree in the community and it should be incorporated into any
proposed landscaping. The Norway spruce at the rear of the property is growing close to and competing with the Norway
maple located on the neighbouring property. The spruce has experienced some dieback on the north side of its crown due
to the competition for light with the Norway maple. If two 80 millimetre caliper large growing native shade trees are
planted as replacement for the Norway spruce, this would be an acceptable option in the opinion of 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. No written objections were received in
response to the application to remove the trees in question.
Contact Name:
Andrew Pickett
392-6644
Joe Halstead
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism
