October 18, 1999

To: Toronto Community Council

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

Subject: 63 Wells Hill Avenue - Request to Remove City-owned Trees

Midtown

Purpose:

An application has been received from Mr. Karl Lashley on behalf of the owners of 63 Wells Hill Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5R 3A6, for City Council to consider the removal of three City-owned trees located at the above noted address. The applicant is interested in landscaping the property and wishes to have the city trees removed and replaced with more desirable species in better locations.

Financial Implications and Impact Statement:

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

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1) the removal of these City-owned trees be approved, conditional upon the applicant paying all costs related to the value of the trees and the associated removal and replacement costs for a total of $2992.18; and

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

Background:

The trees in question are a three-stemmed twenty-one centimetre diameter mulberry in poor condition, a thirty-one centimetre diameter manitoba maple which has grown from seed and is in a poor growing environment and a twenty-two centimetre diameter ash which is also in a poor growing environment. Although these trees would not qualify for routine removal if this landscaping project were not being proposed, the Urban Forestry Section has no concerns with the removal of these trees. If Council does approve tree removal, however, it should be conditional on the applicant paying all costs involved, as noted above.

Comments:

The applicant has submitted a landscaping plan which demonstrates how they intend to replant this location with desirable species in better growing environments.

Conclusions:

Although these City-owned trees would not qualify for routine removal at this time, as they are still viable to maintain, Urban Forestry Services has no concerns with their removal. The applicant intends to replant the location with satisfactory species in more desirable locations.

Contact:

Vicky Jeffery

Urban Forestry Planning & Protection Supervisor

Phone: 392-7390

Fax: 392-7281

Email: vjeffery@toronto.ca

Joe Halstead

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism