Correspondence from G. Manhas regarding Tree at 233 Stormont Road

Oct. 15, 2012

Graham Hill, Mayor, Town of View Royal 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria, BC, V9B 1A6

Dear Mayor Hill,

I am writing in regards to a driveway issue at 233 Stormont Road, which happens to be the residence of my mother, Skuntla Manhas. She moved into the house in 2005. In conversation with Kim Anema, he asked me to write Council with my concerns.

A rare species of tree, Paulawina, is next to the driveway. I understand it is a boulevard tree, and therefore the responsibility of the Town. Over the years, the root system of the tree has buckled and made the driveway hard to drive on. A number of years ago, I took this issue to the Town and was advised by Dave Podmoroff that the tree was not the cause of the buckling in the driveway. We left it, and now years later it became much worse.

After repeated contact, I was told to have the driveway ripped up to see if the root system was the source of the problem. It has been determined that yes, that is the cause. In working with Deb Becelaere, the tree has been removed and root systems are being taken out. The driveway has been torn up since mid Aug., and my mother has had to make alternative parking arrangements making it difficult for her to get in and out of her house, causing considerable physical discomfort, as she is elderly and has problems with her knee. The driveway, hopefully, in the coming weeks will be paved returning her life back to normal.

The Town is responsible for:

• the tree and the damage caused by the tree, and
• the delays in repairing the driveway which has caused a great disruption in my mother's life.

I am looking compensation for the above issues. I am asking that at the very least the Town should pay to re-pave of the driveway. I believe this would be fair compensation for my mother for the issues caused by a Town owned asset and delays caused by Town personnel. If the situation was left as is, it would only get worse, and the Engineering department has determined that in the long run it is better to remove the tree.

If you require any other information, or details, please do not hesitate to contact me, at . I appreciate your time and attention to this issue, and await your reply so that we can come to a successful resolution.

Respectfully,

Garry Manhas