Tree Removal - 478 Roncesvalles Avenue (High Park)

The Toronto Community Council submits this matter to Council without recommendation.

The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having requested the Acting Commissioner of Urban Planning and Development Services, in consultation with the Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism, to meet with the applicant to examine alternatives which would permit the retention of the tree, and report thereon directly to Council.

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 in order to construct a replacement addition at the rear of the property has been filed by the owner of 478 Roncesvalles Avenue, Mr. Ghazi Salti, 2749 Hammond Road, Mississauga, Ontario, L5K 2M3.

Financial Implication:

N/A

Recommendations:

Either 1, or 2 below

(1)issue a permit for tree removal; or

(2)refuse to issue a permit for tree removal requiring the applicant to redesign the rear addition to accommodate the tree.

Comments:

The tree in question is a forty-five centimetre diameter Tree of Heaven in fair condition. The tree is located adjacent to the rear of the building and in the opinion of staff, is causing or is likely to cause structural damage to a load bearing structure. The applicant was advised by staff, on April 13, 1999, that the Tree of Heaven met the criteria for an exemption under the private tree by-law, and that a permit to remove the tree was not required. The Department has since received fourteen letters opposing the removal of the tree. At the request of Councillor Chris Korwin-Kuczynski, this report was prepared and the applicant was advised not to remove the tree until the issue could be discussed at Toronto Community Council.

The applicant was served with an "Order to Comply", from the Urban Planning and Development Services Department. The order indicated that at the rear of the property, the structural wood members of the existing three storey enclosed porch have deteriorated and do not provide adequate support. The applicant was required to obtain the services of a professional engineer to review the site conditions and recommend the necessary remedial action required to eliminate all unsafe conditions. The applicant was also required to submit plans and obtain a permit to repair, demolish or rebuild this structure. Staff from our Department are concerned that the construction required to rebuild the addition will significantly impact the health of the tree and may destabilize it. The Tree of Heaven is a fast growing weak wooded species. This particular specimen is located in a poor growing environment adjacent to the building, and has the potential to cause damage to the property.

The fourteen letters opposed to the removal of the Tree of Heaven have been forwarded to the Community Council Secretary for the Community Council to review.

Contact Name:

Andrew Pickett, 392-6644

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The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having also had before it during consideration of the foregoing matter, the following communications, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk:

-(September 13, 1999) from Peter and Rosemary Meier; and

-(March, 1999) from Mr. Daniel J. Pavlon, Daniel Design Services Inc.

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The following persons appeared before the Toronto Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Mr. Alex Poch-Goldin, Toronto, Ontario;

-Mr. Stephen McCammon, Toronto, Ontario; and

-Mr. Ghazi Salti, Toronto, Ontario.

(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).