Removal of Trees from the Sheppard Avenue

Right-of-Way at Burbank Drive/Bessarian Road.

The Urban Environment and Development Committee recommends the adoption of the following report (April 27, 1998) from the Interim Functional Lead, Transportation, conditional upon the Toronto Transit Commission awarding the contract for Bessarian Station, and that no action be taken on the removal of trees until such contract is awarded:

Purpose:

To authorize the removal of seven trees in connection with the construction of the Sheppard Subway.

Funding Sources:

The costs associated with this work will be the responsibility of the Toronto Transit Commission.

Recommendations:

It is recommended that authority be granted for the removal of seven trees from the Sheppard Avenue right-of-way in the area of Burbank Drive/Bessarian Road.

Discussion:

Metro By-law 211-74, Section 10, ss(i) and (ii), provides that, "no person shall injure, destroy, or cutdown any tree on a Metropolitan Road without the approval of Metropolitan Council".

The Sheppard Subway Bessarian Station will lie roughly below the centreline of Sheppard Avenue, extending approximately 60 metres west and 100 metres east of the Bessarian Road/Burbank Drive intersection. To minimize long term disruption to traffic, most of the excavation and station construction will take place below timber decking with four traffic lanes being maintained. To install the piles required to support the station walls and the decking, and to install the decking itself, will require the construction of road detours to carry traffic around the work area. Traffic will be detoured firstly to the southerly limit of the road right-of-way, and then detoured to the northerly limit of the right-of-way. In order to construct the required road detours it is necessary to remove seven trees that are currently within the right-of-way.

According to established procedure, the TTC has had an Arborist assess the trees and establish a replacement value. The TTC is responsible for the replacement value plus associated costs, in this case $3,699.00. These funds, and other funds collected as the result of the Sheppard Subway work, will be used for tree replacement in the Sheppard Avenue corridor, pursuant to existing procedure and practice. To enhance the streetscape of areas disturbed by construction and for general improvement within the corridor, the nature of the replacement trees and their location will be determined by the Transportation Division of the Works and Emergency Services Department, in consultation with the adjoining property owners, as the TTC submit proposals through the permit and review process. The TTC site plan application for Bessarian Station is expected to be submitted shortly and will include streetscape amenities and re-landscaping of the Parkette on the southwest corner of the intersection.

Conclusion:

In order to facilitate the construction of the Sheppard Subway, Bessarian Station, it is recommended that approval be granted to remove seven trees.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Mr. David Butler, Manager, Sheppard Subway Traffic Operations, 392-5285.

(A copy of the location plans, which were appended to the foregoing report, has been forwarded to all Members of Council with the agenda of the June 15 and 16, 1998 meeting of the Urban Environment and Development Committee, and a copy thereof is also on file in the office of the City Clerk.)