Tree Removal - 17 Forest Ridge Drive
(North Toronto)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that a permit for tree
removal at 17 Forest Ridge Drive be issued 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
project commence which warrant the destruction of the tree.
(ii) the applicant implementing a landscape plan acceptable to the
Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (January 4,
2000) from the Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:
Purpose:
An application for a permit to remove one tree on private property has
been filed by Mr. Lorne Wallace, 551 Briar Hill Avenue, Toronto, M5N
1N1, owner of 17 Forest Ridge Drive.
Financial Implications and Impact Statement:
There are no financial implications resulting from the adoption of this
report.
It is recommended that:
(1) a permit for tree removal be refused; or
(2) a permit for tree removal be issued 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 project commence which warrant
the destruction of the tree.
ii) the applicant implementing a landscape plan acceptable to
the Commissioner Economic Development, Culture and
Tourism.
Background:
The applicant is proposing to construct a new house and the
proposed new driveway is in conflict with the tree in question.
Comments:
The tree in question is a 55 centimetre diameter Siberian elm in fair
condition and located at the rear of the property along the west property
line. The Arborist report prepared by the Tree Specialists Inc. that
accompanies the application states that the tree is in fair condition with
normal amounts of deadwood throughout the crown and minor evidence
of slime flux. The report also states that there are seams developing into
splits at the main union and at the secondary union of the south leader.
Significant pruning to remove deadwood, clear back from buildings and
to repair the weak secondary union in the south leader, in addition to
installing a cable to support the main union, are the maintenance
recommendations put forth in the Arborist report. The report concludes
that the proposed development will adversely affect the health of the
tree and recommends that it be removed and replaced.
In the opinion of staff, the Siberian elm is a fast growing, weak wooded
species, but the tree in question is a viable specimen that requires
minor pruning to remove deadwood. The main union is weak with
included bark, but there is no sign of splitting or visible cracks at this
time. This tree appears to have never been maintained and the
installation of cables at strategic points, combined with pruning for
deadwood are the maintenance recommendations of our Department. If
implemented, these recommendations would enhance the viability of the
specimen.
The excavation required to construct the proposed driveway would have
a significant impact on the trees root system, possibly destabilizing the
tree. The tree cannot be adequately protected if the development
proceeds as proposed at this time. Replacement trees have been
proposed by the applicant which include two seventy to eighty
millimetre caliper trees, one being a honey locust, the other a white
spruce.
A notice of application sign was posted on the property for the required
fourteen day posting period, in order to notify the neighbourhood and
provide an opportunity for objection to the application. Four written
objections were received in response to the application to remove the
tree in question. Copies of these letters are appended as Attachment
No. 1
Conclusions:
The Siberian elm at 17 Forest Ridge Drive is a large shade tree that acts
as a privacy screen from the buildings on Bathurst Street to the
residents living immediately west of the tree. Any proposed
development should consider retaining this tree and providing adequate
protection for it during construction. If permission is granted for
removal, it should be conditional on the planting of significant
replacement trees that will buffer the noise and views from busy
Bathurst Street.
Contact:
Andrew Pickett
Urban Forestry Planner
Tel: 392-6644
Fax: 392-1915
apickett@toronto.ca
_________
The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of
Council, having also had before it during consideration of the
foregoing matter, a communication (January 13, 2000) from Ms.
Susan and Mr. Lorne Wallace, and a copy thereof is on file in the
office of the City Clerk:
_________
(A copy of Attachment 1 (four letters of objection), referred to in the foregoing
report, was forwarded to all Members of the Toronto Community Council with
the agenda for its meeting on January 18, 2000, and a copy thereof is on file in
the office of the City Clerk).
_________
The following persons appeared before the Toronto Community Council in
connection with the foregoing matter:
- Mr. Lorne Wallace, Toronto, Ontario;
- Ms. E. Greisman, Toronto, Ontario; and
- Mr. William Greisman, Toronto, Ontario
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