Tree Removal - 378 Russell Hill Road (Midtown)
The Toronto Community Council recommends that City Council refuse to issue a permit
for tree removal requiring the applicant to abandon or redesign plans for the driveway
and garage construction.
The Toronto Community Council submits the following report (February 2, 1999) from
the Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture and Tourism:
Purpose:
An application for a permit to remove three trees on private property to allow for construction
of a driveway and rear garage has been filed by Mr. Egils J. Didrichsons, Curr Didrichsons
Designs Limited, 44 Banff Road, Toronto, M4S 2V5, agent for the owner of 378 Russell Hill
Road, Ms. Karen Applebaum, 1 Graywood Avenue, Thornhill, Ontario, L4S 7W4.
Financial Implications:
N/A
Recommendations:
Either 1, or 2 below
(1)issue a permit for tree removal conditional on:
(i)the trees in question not being removed until permitted construction and/or demolition
related activities in accordance with plans approved under the building permit application for
the subject property commence which warrant the destruction of the trees, and the concerns of
the objectors with respect to water flow being dealt with during the building permit process;
and
(ii)the applicant providing a detailed landscape plan for the property to be approved by the
Commissioner of Economic Development, Culture & Tourism; or
(2)refuse to issue a permit for tree removal requiring the applicant to abandon or redesign
plansfor the driveway and garage construction.
Comments:
The trees in question include an eighty-six centimetre diameter Manitoba maple and two
Carolina poplars with diameters of eighty-four and ninety-six centimetres. The three trees are
in fair condition. The Manitoba maple is located on the south property line and its removal is
required to facilitate the construction of the proposed new driveway. The two poplar trees are
located on the west property line and require removal to allow for the proposed garage
construction.
The arborist report prepared by Thomson, Bruce & Associates that accompanies the
application states that the Manitoba maple is in good condition with a large spreading crown
and no visible deadwood. The report states that the two Carolina poplars are in good condition
but have possible structural defects as a result of the trees being previously topped. The report
indicates that the entire crown of both trees consists of secondary growth and that decay has
entered into the main stem and branches at sites where the topping cuts were made.
The property owner has retained the agent mentioned above to prepare and implement a
landscape plan. The three trees involved with this application are weak wooded, fast growing
specimens and their removal conditional on replacement planting with several large growing
native shade trees is an acceptable option in the opinion of Urban Forestry staff.
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. Five written objections were received in response to the application to remove the
trees in question. Copies of these letters have 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@toronto.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, the following communications opposed
to the application, and a copy thereof is on file in the office of the City Clerk:
-(January 12, 1999) from Mr. Jim Urquhart and Family;
-(January 19, 1999) from Mr. Brian Mirsky;
-(January 12, 1999) from Ms. Jean and Mr. Bernard Zinman;
-(January 19, 1999) from Mr. David Griff;
-(January 19, 1999) from Ms. Shirley Powis; and
-(February 2, 1999) from Mr. Jim Urquhart and Family.
The following persons appeared before the Toronto Community Council in connection with
the foregoing matter:
-Mr. Egils Didrichsons, Curr Didrichsons Designs Limited Landscape Architect;
- Mr. Wayne Swadron, Wayne Swadron Architect; and
-Mr. Jim Urquhart, President, CHR Inc. Renovations/Restorations.
