October 18, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

Subject: Request to Install Decorative Lighting in City-owned Trees from Corso Italia Business Improvement Area

Davenport

Purpose:

A request has been received from Mr. Frank Fazzari, Chairperson, Corso Italia Business Improvement Area, 112 Westmount Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M6H 3K4, for City Council to consider their request to install decorative lighting in City-owned trees along St. Clair Avenue, West, from Westmount Avenue to one block west of Lansdowne Avenue. The Toronto Municipal Code Chapter 331, dealing with Trees, Article 1, Care and Maintenance, Subsection D, states that "no person shall attach decorative lights to a tree located on a City street except with the consent of Council upon application made to it on the conditions set out in Clause 29 of City Services Committee Report No. 2, adopted in Council on January 28 and February 1, 1985".

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this report.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the request be approved for the Corso Italia Business Improvement Area to install decorative lighting in city-owned trees situated on St. Clair Avenue West, from Westmount Avenue to one block west of Lansdowne Avenue, subject to the following conditions:

(a) the Corso Italia Business Improvement Area be required to deposit with the City Treasurer a third party liability insurance policy showing the City of Toronto as a named insured and containing a cross-liability clause with limits of $1,000,000.00 and in all other respects satisfactory to the City Treasurer, to protect the City against any such legal liability that might result from or arise out of such permission.

(b) the method of attaching the decorative lighting to city-owned trees be subject to the approval of the Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism of and in accordance with the specifications being developed by the Urban Forestry Services section.

(c) the Corso Italia Business Improvement Area be responsible to:

(i) Remove lighting from City-owned trees at their own expense following the conclusion of the program.

(ii) Pay any costs incurred by the City for maintenance or repair to the City-owned trees as a direct result of the decorative lighting.

(d) all electrical hook-ups and receptacles be inspected by and meet the approval of both Toronto Hydro and Ontario Hydro and that a copy of the approval be forwarded to the Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

(2) the appropriate City Officials be authorized and directed to take the necessary action to give effect thereto.

Conclusions:

Tree lighting has become popular in many of the City's Business Improvement Areas as a way of enhancing the appearance of the street at night. Tree lighting projects require approval of the City to ensure that trees are protected and that the installation and maintenance of the tree lighting conforms to City and Hydro standards.

Contact:

Vicky Jeffery

Urban Forestry Planning & Protection Supervisor

Phone: 392-7390

Fax: 392-1915

Email: vjeffery@toronto.ca

Joe Halstead

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

List of Attachments:

Attachment No. 1 - Corso Italia