Tree Removal - 192 Glencairn Avenue (North Toronto)

 The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council issue a permit for tree removal at 192 Glencairn Avenue, conditional on the applicant agreeing to plant a replacement tree on the property to the satisfaction of the Director of Development and Support.

 The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (April 8, 1998) from the Director of Development and Support, Toronto Parks and Recreation, City Hall Office:

 Purpose:

 The Toronto Community Council deferred consideration of the report (February 4, 1998) from the Director of Development and Support - Toronto Parks & Recreation, in order for staff to consult with the owners of 192 and 198 Glencairn Avenue to investigate the possibility that the proposed development at 198 Glencairn Avenue could take place without encroaching into the root zone of a red oak tree. The February 4, 1998, report from the Director of Development and Support was the result of an application for a permit to remove a red oak tree on private property to provide space and light for the establishment of mature pyramidal English oaks to provide screening and privacy between 192 Glencairn Avenue and the new house to be built at 198 Glencairn Avenue. The application was filed by Ms. Jan Allin, owner of 192 Glencairn Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M4R 1N2.

 Recommendations:

 Either 1, 2 or 3 below.

 (1)Refuse to issue a permit to remove or injure the tree.

 (2)Issue a permit for tree removal conditional on the applicant agreeing to plant a replacement tree on the property to the satisfaction of the Director of Development and Support.

 3)Issue a permit for injury to the tree conditional on the owner of 198 Glencairn Avenue implementing the tree preservation plan prepared by Davey Tree Expert Company of Canada, based on an application to construct a new house at 198 Glencairn Avenue, submitted by Axis Planning & Development Consultants, 10 Morrow Avenue, Suite 103, Toronto, M6R 2J1, agent for the owner of 198 Glencairn Avenue.

 Comments:

 In March 1998, staff from Development and Support, Toronto Parks & Recreation, consulted with the property owner=s of 192 and 198 Glencairn Avenue. Based on site plan sketches provided to staff, the proposed development at 198 Glencairn Avenue is still designed to encroach within the root zone of the 68 centimetre diameter red oak located at 192 Glencairn Avenue. The owner=s of 198 Glencairn Avenue have hired an arborist who, on the basis of the proposed construction, has prepared a tree preservation plan to minimize the impact of the new house construction on the health of the red oak tree. Since the tree will incur root damage with the development in its present form, a permit for tree injury from City Council will be required. The portion of the property at 198 Glencairn Avenue that is in close proximity to the oak tree and that is proposed to be developed is open lawn space at present, and an ideal growing environment for the root system of the oak. Any development in this open lawn area will encounter the root system of the oak but the effect of the construction on the health of the tree can be reduced if the recommendations of the arborist from Davey Tree Expert are implemented.

 The one storey rear portion of the proposed development will come to within 2.5 metres from the base of the tree. This portion of the house will be cantilevered 45 centimetres above the ground, thereby reducing the amount of excavation required in the root zone of the oak tree. The potential for injury to the tree arises from the amount of compaction that will occur in the trees root zone and the fact that the cantilevered portion will reduce the amount of moisture and air circulation that the tree presently receives. Red oaks are a significant native tree in Toronto=s urban forest and if City Council issues a permit for injury to the tree it should be conditional on the owner of 198 Glencairn Avenue implementing the tree preservation plan prepared by Davey Tree Expert Company of Canada, dated October 21, 1997.

 Contact Name:

 Richard Ubbens

Telephone:(416) 392-1894

Facsimile:(416) 392-6657

e-mail:rubbens@city.toronto.on.ca

 The Toronto Community Council, for the information of Council, having also had before it during consideration of the foregoing matter (undated) drawings respecting replacement of the existing house with a two-storey detached house at 198 Glencairn Avenue, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.

 Mr. Keith Allin, Toronto, Ontario, appeared before the Toronto Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter.