Tree Removal - 119 Hillhurst Boulevard (North Toronto)

The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council issue a permit for tree removal at 119 Hillhurst Boulevard, conditional on the applicant agreeing to plant a minimum 80 millimetre caliper red oak tree as replacement, or if that is not possible, a replacement tree satisfactory to the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism.

The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (November 23, 1998) from the Commissioner, Economic Development, Culture & Tourism:

Purpose:

An application for a permit to remove one tree on private property that was pruned by a private tree service in excess of the applicants request has been filed by Mrs. Beth Lawrence, 119 Hillhurst Blvd., Toronto, Ontario, M5N 1N7, owner of 119 Hillhurst Blvd.

Financial Implications:

N/A

Recommendations:

Either 1, or 2 below

(1)issue a permit for tree removal conditional on the applicant agreeing to plant a minimum 80 millimetre caliper red oak tree as replacement;

(2)refuse to issue a permit to remove the tree.

Comments:

The tree in question is a fifty centimetre diameter linden in fair condition. The report prepared by Bostock Tree Service that accompanies the application states that the linden is healthy and viable, however in heavy rainstorms the roots of the tree cause heaving of the lawn on the west side of the tree. The main stem of the linden leans slightly to the east and the tree service company removed much of the lower crown in the hope that this would help stabilize the tree. The applicant feels that the pruning has left the tree unsightly resulting in devaluation of the property. If a permit for tree removal is granted, the applicant would like to replace the linden with a large red oak in the spring of 1999.

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. One written objection was received in response to the application to remove the tree in question. A copy of this letter has been forwarded to the Community Council Secretary for the Community Council to review.

Contact Name:

Andrew Pickett

Telephone:(416) 392-6644

Facsimile:(416) 392-6657

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

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The following persons appeared before the Toronto Community Council in connection with the foregoing matter:

-Ms. Beth Lawrence, Toronto, Ontario; and

-Mr. Bruce Bostock, President, Bostock Tree Service.

(A copy of the letter 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 December 9 and 10, 1998, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk).