Application for Tree Removal Letter (305 Bessborough Ave)

Application for Tree Removal

Mayor and Councillors;

The intent of this letter is to supplement our application for a permit to remove a tree from our property; and to impart unto you our distress this tree is causing our family. Since moving into View Royal, in September 2014, we have had ongoing drainage problem, which has caused significant water damage to our homes foundation. At times during this past winter, there was up to 8 inches of water in our crawlspace, which had to be pumped out as our drainage outflow was blocked by tree roots. We have had two separate drainage inspections, as well as a visit by a View Royal Parks representative with an accompanying Arborist; where the second drainage inspection was required to confirm the tree as the cause of the blockage of our drain system. Based on these inspections and reviews, it has been determined that removal of this tree is our best option to resolve our ongoing issues. This will prevent any further damage to our house, our neighbour’s houses and potentially the town’s sewer and prevent these continuing costs to our family.

Over the winter we replaced our storm drainage system and brought it up to current code. We also rerouted our storm water outflow, from its original location under the tree, to around the tree. This cost us several thousand dollars as well as hundreds of hours of our time; but, this is a temporary fix. This work required heavy equipment to excavate and destroyed the landscaping of our yard. While our drainage is currently serviceable, we still have to dry out our crawlspace, repair our foundation and return the yard to a livable and safe space for our family. It was not feasible for us to reroute this drain to the other side of our property and it is not possible to reroute the drain to the culvert at the front; because the depth of our crawlspace lies beneath the culvert depth. Although repaired, it is guaranteed that if the tree remains, we will again have the same issues as tree grows.

Our highest concern is about our future liability with respect to the damage this tree will cause to both View Royal and our neighbour’s property. This tree is very close to our property line, and as such, it is more than likely that our neighbours will experience the same drainage issue as us in the future. Initial damage is being indicated by them as shown by an enclosed email and picture from our neighbour adjacent to us. As well, the main storm water drain that services the neighbourhood runs along the back of our property and the concern is that this main drain will also be affected in the future, which will result in water backing up at other houses around us.

There is a municipal easement for the sewer system that runs directly beneath this tree. This sewer line runs the length of our property, where it should be a concern that this tree will potentially affect the sewage services to our neighbourhood. This is detailed in the enclosed easement documents. It has been our experience, living in other townships, that these costs are potentially assumed by the property owner, in the event of damage. This will also be an ongoing concern of stress and worry with respect to this pending damage.

To offer some information about this tree, it is a Sequoia, species name Sequoiadendron giganteum; it was planted by the previous owners of our property 26 years ago, and is one of the largest trees in our Earth’s known biology. Although this is a protected tree, it doesn’t naturally occur in pure form in this area. According to our neighbours it has grown at a fast rate. To put the future size of this tree into a perspective, we would like to refer you to a pictograph of this trees growth size. We appreciate the value of trees on our property, and we do intend to replace this tree with other local species that is better suited for this location, such as dogwood or spruce.

This tree is the wrong tree for this property and neighbourhood. When this tree was planted, the future implications were not taken into account. We are a young family and this is our first home, and we will be unable to afford the financial hardship that the potential damage from this tree will cause. This tree has become a definite worry to our family and we submit this request to have this tree be removed as the reoccurrence of ongoing damage is expected.

Thank you for your consideration;

Philippa Carrie and Myles Mc Dowell

Enclosures:

A. Initial Drain inspection, Drainscope 28 July 2014 B. Easement documentation C. Second Drain inspection, Drainscope 04 February 2015, Note: This inspection was at the request of View Royal Engineering staff so as to confirm tree as root cause of water blockage and damage. D. Email from neighbour detailing the uplift of their patio, due to tree roots, Pages 11-12 E. Pictographic of tree dimension. F. Pictures