STAFF REPORT

January 25, 2000

To: Toronto Community Council

From: Joe Halstead, Commissioner Economic Development Culture and Tourism

Subject: Request for Removal of One City-owned and One Private Tree at

19 Ridgewood Road

Midtown

Purpose:

An application has been received from Mr. Lewis Arnold of Shady Lane Trees Care Inc. on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Iscove, 19 Ridgewood Road, Toronto, Ontario, M5P 1T4, for City Council to consider the removal of one City-owned and one private tree located at the above-noted address. The applicant is interested in landscaping the property and wishes to have the trees removed and replaced with a more desirable species. A copy of Mr. Arnold's request is attached (Attachment No. 1).

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 for removal of this City-owned tree be denied; and

2) a permit to remove the private tree be denied; or

issue a permit for tree removal conditional on the applicant agreeing to plant replacement trees on the property to the satisfaction of the City Forester.

Background:

The trees in question are 39 cm diameter and 41 cm diameter Colorado Blue Spruce in fair condition. The city tree is valued at $2149.83 and does not qualify for removal at this time. The cost to remove the tree and to plant a replacement tree is $1230.88, for a total of $3380.71. If Council should approve the city tree removal, contrary to the recommendation in this report, it should be conditional on the applicant paying all costs involved, as noted above.

A request to remove these trees was received in March 1998. At this time, it was believed that both trees were privately owned. As the trees were determined to be in fair and healthy condition, a report was brought to City Council for their consideration at their May 13, 14, 1998 meeting where the request for removal was denied. Since that time, it has been determined that one of the spruce trees is actually located on the City road allowance.

Conclusions:

The City-owned Spruce does not qualify for routine removal at this time. Since it would be necessary to remove a healthy tree, which is in a healthy and vigorous state of growth, this Department is opposed to removal of this tree.

The privately-owned Spruce is a healthy and viable specimen that should be incorporated into any new landscaping proposal. This Department again recommends denial of the application for permission to remove this tree.

Contact:

Vicky McGrath

Supervisor, Urban Forestry Planning and Protection

Telephone: 392-7390

Facsimile: 392-1915

e-mail: vmcgrat@toronto.ca

Joe Halstead,

Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism

List of Attachments:

Attachment No. 1 - Letter of request for removal from Shady Lane Tree Care Inc., and two letters of support