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Removal of City-owned Tree -
170 Gough Avenue (Don River)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that:
(1) the property owner submit payment in the amount of $1,605.08, for the value of the trees, removal costs and replacement cost to remove the City owned trees at 170 Gough Avenue; and
(2) the property owner plant a new large growing shade tree of a species satisfactory to the Director of Development and Support, Toronto Parks and Recreation, and having a minimum caliper of 80 millimetres; such tree to be planted in turf on the Gough Avenue City street allowance adjacent to this property.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (February 4, 1998) from the Director, Development and Support, Toronto Parks and Recreation Department:
Purpose:
City Council approval is required respecting staff decisions on applications for removal of trees on municipal property pursuant to: Municipal Code, Chapter 331, Article I; authority delegated to City staff to plant, maintain or remove trees; and approved criteria.
The Toronto Community Council as a standing Committee of City Council under the Procedural Bylaw has been authorized to hear deputations, if any, and make recommendations to City Council respecting staff decisions, on among other things requests to remove trees located on City street allowance.
An application has been received from Mr. Christos Soulios for the removal of two City owned trees in order to facilitate a proposed new dwelling and driveway.
Recommendation:
That City Council approve the following staff decision:
(1) the property owner submit payment in the amount of $1,605.08, for the value of the trees, removal costs and replacement cost; and
(2) the property owner plant a new large growing shade tree of a species satisfactory to the Director of Development and Support and having a minimum caliper of 80 mm; such tree to be planted in turf on the Gough Avenue City street allowance adjacent to this property.
Comments:
I have received a request from Mr. Christos Soulios, 170 Gough Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4K 1N2, that City Council consider removal of two City owned trees at the above noted address. Mr. Soulios reports that the trees are in direct conflict with a proposed driveway which must be built in conjunction with a home demolition and reconstruction project. The two spruce trees were originally planted too close to each other by the previous property owner. My staff would not have planted the two trees in this location because the lot size is relatively small.
The trees in question are a Norway spruce and a Colorado blue spruce which have diameters of 23 cm and 19 cm respectively. These trees are in fair condition with a combined valued of $811.39. Removal costs are $318.07 and replacement costs are $475.62 for a total of $1,605.08.
The proposed plan indicates a replacement tree to be planted in turf. Since the proposed tree planting location is an improvement over existing conditions and a large shade tree can be planted here which will ultimately contribute more to the streetscape, I therefore recommend approval for removal of these trees subject to conditions set out in this report.
Dr. Christos Soulios, Toronto, Ontario, appeared before the Toronto Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter.
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