Tree Removal - 378 Russell Hill Road (Midtown)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council issue a permit for tree removal at 378 Russell Hill
Road conditional on:
(i)the tree 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 tree;
(ii)the applicant planting a replacement tree in the proximity to the side lot line of the subject property; and
(iii)the applicant contributing $500.00 for the planting of a tree in the municipal right-of-way in the
neighbourhood.
Councillor Miller requested that he be recorded in the negative.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (August 24, 1999) from the Commissioner Economic
Development, Culture and Tourism:
Purpose:
An application for a permit to remove one tree on private property to allow for construction of a driveway 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 Implication:
N/A
Recommendations:
Either 1, or 2 below
(1)issue a permit for tree removal conditional on:
(i)the tree 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 tree; and
(ii)the applicant planting replacement trees to the satisfaction of the community and approved by the Commissioner of
Economic Development, Culture & Tourism; or
(2)refuse to issue a permit for tree removal requiring the applicant to redesign plans for the driveway construction.
Comments:
At its meeting held on March 2, 3 and 4, 1999, the Council of the City of Toronto gave consideration to Clause No. 12
contained in report No. 4 of the Toronto Community Council. Council adopted the Clause without amendment, and by so
doing, refused to issue a permit for tree removal at 378 Russell Hill Road, requiring the applicant to redesign plans for the
driveway and garage construction. The applicant has submitted a new application requesting permission to remove one tree
instead of the three trees that made up the previous application.
The tree in question is an eighty-six centimetre diameter Manitoba maple 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. Five
written objections were received in response to the first application, that involved the Manitoba maple and two poplar
trees. The new application includes letters from three of the five objectors and one from an additional neighbour. These
letters state that they are not opposed to the removal of the Manitoba maple and that their main concern was that the poplar
trees not be removed. A letter opposing the removal of the Manitoba maple has also been received. The applicant has
redesigned the location of the garage so that the poplar trees will not be impacted by the construction.
The property owner has retained the agent mentioned above to prepare and implement a landscape plan. The landscape
plan on file with Forestry Services, dated June 24, 1999, shows the planting of several indigenous trees, shrubs and ground
covers. The removal of the Manitoba maple conditional on the implementation of the landscape plan is an acceptable
option in the opinion of Urban Forestry staff.
Contact Name:
Andrew Pickett
392-6644
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Mr. Egils Dedrichsons, Landscape Architect, appeared before the Toronto Community Council in connection with the
foregoing matter.
(A copy of the letters referred to in the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of the Toronto Community Council
with the agenda for its meeting on September 14, 1999, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk).
