TOWN OF VIEW ROYAL COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE - Tree Removal Application, 239 Heddle Avenue

COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE

TO: Committee of the Whole FROM: Dave Podmoroff DATE: September 3, 2014 MEETING DATE: September 9, 2014 FILE NO.: 5830

Tree Removal Application, 239 Heddle Avenue

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee recommend to Council the removal of two (2) trees at 239 Heddle Avenue as requested;

AND THAT as per the Town’s Tree Protection Bylaw 695, that four (4) trees be replanted (2:1 ratio).

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To address the request for removal of two (2) trees at 239 Heddle Avenue.

BACKGROUND:

The owners of 239 Heddle Avenue, Michelle and Heath Bevan filled out a tree removal application earlier this year requesting that two Douglas Fir trees be removed from their property.

Due to the size and type of trees, they were denied removal. The two trees in question are a 71.0 cm and 86.0 cm Douglas Fir trees located in the back yard. Both of these trees are in very close proximity to the south property line, bordering the neighbour's driveways at 241 and 243 Heddle Avenue. These are significant and protected species trees and if removal is denied, the applicant can come before Council for reconsideration according to the Town’s Tree Protection Bylaw 695.

The issue is not with the health of the trees but with the location and dropping of branch material. With the trees being so close to the property line, the roots are cracking and heaving the neighbour's driveways quite extensively (see attached images) on the other side of the fence. There have been concerns expressed by the neighbours about the condition of the driveway and the people who walk on it, including elderly residents. There have been issues with trips and falls in the past but none quite as bad as the most recent incident. The elderly neighbour tripped on the heaving driveway and fell, resulting in extensive facial and head injuries. The neighbours would like to repair the driveway so this does not happen again. Removal of these anchoring roots could severely weaken the stability of the trees in inclement weather situations creating an even more serious issue of the trees falling over and possibly causing damage to buildings and even worse, injuries to persons. The owners would like to remove the two trees to eliminate all problems associated with them. Besides the driveway issues, the trees have also damaged items in the surrounding area. The house, pool, heater, cars and fence have all been damaged in the past from falling branches. The trees have been maintained in the past (major pruning) but the problems are still occurring.

In 1999, the owners of the house had the exact same issue with a Black Cottonwood tree on the south property line, impacting the same driveway. The tree was healthy, but the roots were causing major problems. At that time, an arborist also determined that the removal of the main roots would make the tree more susceptible to failure in inclement weather. Council at that time approved the removal of this tree for these reasons.

The owner has provided a signed letter from the surrounding neighbours all agreeing with the proposed removal.

An arborist visited the site and told the owners that a report would be not cost effective due to the fact that the trees are healthy. It is the location and resulting damage that is the issue.

ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

That the Committee recommend to council that the request to remove two (2) the trees be denied.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the Committee recommend to Council the removal of two (2) trees at 239 Heddle Avenue as requested;

AND THAT as per the Town’s Tree Protection Bylaw 695, that four (4) trees be replanted (2:1 ratio).

SUBMITTED BY: Dave Podmoroff, Parks Supervisor

REVIEWED BY: John Rosenberg, Director of Engineering