Email from View Royal Climate Coalition Re: Amendments to Tree Protection Bylaw
Advocacy for reducing the tree protection threshold to 20cm DBH to align with expert recommendations.
Letter to council re sept 3 . BYLAWS a) Tree Protection Bylaw Interim Update
From: mrs linda jeaurond
Sent: September 2, 2024 6:37 PM
To: Info Address info@viewroyal.ca
Dear Mayor and Council,
Re item 8 a) Tree Protection Bylaw Update
On July 25, the Goldstream News Gazette reported unanimous council support for councillor Mackenzie’s motion to make quick changes to the tree bylaw, while council works on an urban tree strategy:
The axe stops here: More View Royal trees could be saved by protection bylaw “The Town of View Royal wants to protect more trees, including those not currently covered as protected species.”
“Currently, any tree with a diameter greater than 30 centimetres is protected by the town’s bylaw. One “quick change” suggested by Mackenzie was reducing this requirement, effectively protecting more trees.”
(https://www.goldstreamgazette.com/local-news/the-axe-stops-here-more-view-royal-trees-could-be-saved-by-protection-bylaw-7457225)
Such welcome progressive news.
The resulting staff report is before you tonight; however, Councillor MacKenzie’s suggestion to reduce the threshold did not receive support.
This is most disappointing, particularly when Nature Canada informs us that jurisdictions with 20cm DBH thresholds are considered more effective by tree experts, see Sustainability Network, Urban Trees: Bringing the Canopy to All
Please note, the recording is available 60 days from Aug 28, 2024. See Q&A for municipalities at the end. Markham, Newmarket and Burlington bylaws are highlighted. Excerpts follow.
https://www.sustainabilitynetwork.ca/past-events/urban-trees-bringing-the-canopy-to-all
Markham Ontario, Tree Preservation By-law:
Property owners must apply for a permit before injuring or destroying any private tree in Markham with a trunk diameter of 20 centimetres (about 8 inches) or more, measured at 1.37 metres (about 54 inches) above the ground at the base of the tree.
Newmarket, Private Tree Removal
As part of Newmarket's Private Tree Protection By-law property owners are required to obtain a permit for removing trees on their property that have a diameter greater than 20 centimeters (8 inches) measured at 1.4m above ground. Private trees removed, destroyed or injured without a permit will be subject to a fine, fees, and compensation. Mature trees are valuable assets to the community and need to be protected. The Town wants to work with the property owner(s) to explore alternatives, with tree removal being the last resort.
https://www.newmarket.ca/privatetreeremoval
Burlington: Private Tree By-law
The Private Tree By-law protects trees on private property within the City’s Urban Planning Area Boundary. If you live within the Urban Planning Area Boundary (see link under "Urban Planning Area Boundary" below), you will need to apply for a permit to injure or destroy (remove) a tree 20 cm in diameter (8”) or greater measured at 1.37 m from the ground. Heritage trees and endangered, threatened, and at-risk species are also protected and may require additional approvals in addition to your tree permit.
https://www.burlington.ca/en/home-property-and-environment/forest-protection-and-tree-permits.aspx
Private Tree By-law (040-2022)
https://www.burlington.ca/en/by-laws-and-animal-services/resources/By-laws/By-law-Search/2022-By-laws/040-2022-By-law.pdf
The VRCC encourages View Royal to embrace climate leadership as changes are contemplated tonight. As you strive to protect maximum urban canopy in this time of rapid growth/climate crisis, please look beyond our Island to hotter denser areas of Canada for expert inspiration.
Please protect our local trees 20cm and up.
Thank you for your consideration.
Kind regards
VRCC View Royal Climate Coalition core team, Ian Brown, Roz Isaac, Jane Devonshire and Linda Jeaurond