Request for Removal of City Tree

at 139 Everden Road

Ward 28, York Eglinton

The York Community Council recommends the approval of recommendation (1) in the following report (August 25, 1999) from the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:

Purpose:

Staff was requested to report on Ms. Judy Everson's request to have the City owned Chinese elm fronting 139 Everden Road removed.

Source of Funds:

No funding required.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that:

(1)the City tree fronting 139 Everden be retained; or

(2) if Council approves the tree's removal, it be with the stipulation that the owner pay for removal and replacement planting costs and the value of the tree prior to the tree's removal. The sum of these values is $3,400.00.

Council Reference/Background/History:

Councillor Mihevc requested this report in his letter to the York Community Council dated June 22, 1999. The City tree in question is a 58 cm diameter Chinese elm that is in fair condition. The tree does not qualify for removal as it is not dead, dying or hazardous. Tree species is not used as criteria to qualify trees for removal.

Comments:

Ms. Everden has been requesting the removal of this tree for a number of years. There are two privately owned Chinese elms, one at the front of the property and one at the rear. Both are larger than the City tree. The contradiction in requesting the removal of the City Chinese elm while retaining the two private Chinese elms has previously been pointed out to Ms. Everden.

Conclusion:

The tree should be retained. Qualifying it for removal on the basis of its being an elm would set a precedent that could quality thousand of other elm trees for removal.

Contact Name:

Dean Hart

394-8549