Tree Removal - 204 Douglas Drive (Midtown)

The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council refuse to issue a permit to remove the tree at 204 Douglas Drive.

The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (May 11, 1998) from the Director of Development and Support, Toronto Parks and Recreation, City Hall Office:

Purpose:

An application for a permit to remove one tree on private property has been filed by Ms. Suzanne McNeillie, 204 Douglas Drive, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 2B8, owner of 204 Douglas Drive. Ms. McNeillie submitted the application since the neighbour at 64 St. Andrew's Gardens has complained that the tree is a destructive nuisance.

Recommendations:

Either 1 or 2 below.

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

(2) Issue a permit for tree removal.

Comments:

The tree in question is a fifty-one centimetre diameter black walnut in good condition. The tree has been pruned heavily in the past on the north side of the crown to clear the house at 64 St. Andrew's Gardens. The branches are well clear of the house at 64 St. Andrew's Gardens and the main stem of the walnut is separated by a wooden fence approximately three metres from the foundation of 64 St. Andrew's Gardens. The report from Bostock Tree Service, that accompanies this application states that the black walnut is both healthy and safe and that any further pruning on the north side of the tree would constitute injury to the tree.

It should be noted that while the owner of 64 St. Andrew's Gardens would like the tree to be removed, the owner of the tree would like to retain it but made the application so that Council may decide if the tree should come down.

A notice of application sign was posted on the property for the required 14 day posting period, in order to notify the neighbourhood and provide an opportunity for objection to the application. Ten written objections were received in response to the application to remove the tree in question. Copies of these letters have been forwarded to the Community Council Secretary for the Community Council to review.

Contact Name:

Richard Ubbens

Telephone: (416) 392-1894

Facsimile: (416) 392-6657

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

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The Toronto Community Council reports, for the information of Council, having also had before it during consideration of the foregoing matter, a communication (May 22, 1998) from Mr. Geoff Cape, Executive Director, Evergreen Foundation, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk.

(A copy of the objections referred to in the foregoing report was forwarded to all Members of the Toronto Community Council with the agenda for its meeting on May 27, 1998, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk).