Council Report: Tree Removal Application, 18 Amber Place

COUNCIL REPORT

TO: Council DATE: March 22, 2016 FROM: Dave Podmoroff MEETING DATE: April 5, 2016

Tree Removal Application, 18 Amber Place.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council approves the removal of one (1) tree at 18 Amber Place as requested;

AND THAT as per the Town's Tree Protection Bylaw 695, that two (2) trees be replanted (2:1 ratio) for this one (1) tree to be removed with the requirement.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

To address the request for removal of one (1) tree at 18 Amber Place.

BACKGROUND:

The Glentana Road area of View Royal is being affected by trees that were left on the properties during development/construction in the late 1970's and early 1980's. The trees at the time of construction were small and did not pose any issues. Unfortunately, a lot of these trees are in very close proximity to the houses and other structures (< 3 metres) and have been growing larger for the past 35 to 40 years. This brings with it many problematic issues such as; heaving concrete and asphalt (trip hazards), foundations cracking, pushing on deck or roof edges, drainage issues (roots plugging perimeter drains, etc.), roof/building/window damage from falling branches, etc. The Town has dealt with these types of tree issues in the area during the past few years and due to the size that the trees have become, more of these issues will be appearing in front of Council in the future.

The resident submitted a tree removal/alteration application (see attached "A") on January 16, 2016, requesting the removal of the following tree:

• one (1), 71.5 cm dbh, Big Leaf Maple tree (Acer macrophyllum) located in the front yard of the property on the south side, immediately adjacent to house. See attached images "B, C & D"

The removal was denied (see attached letter "E") as the tree is a protected species within the Town's Tree Protection Bylaw #695 and appeared to be healthy.

The resident wanted to proceed further with this application and has requested an appeal of the decision to go to Council. The resident has supplied an arborist report (see attached "F") from ISA Arborist, Michael Gye, of Michael Gye Urban Forestry Ltd.

As per the arborist report, this tree is causing major problems at the corner of the house and main entrance driveway to the complex. Pavement upheaval, cracked/lifted concrete, trip hazards, drain issues, etc. The tree issues will not go away and will only become worse as time passes. This is already a large tree and will continue to increase in size.

This tree should have not have been left in this location at the time of the complex construction in the early 1980's. It should be removed to eliminate any hazards and prevent increasing damage from occurring.

ALTERNATIVES TO STAFF RECOMMENDATION:

Deny the removal of the tree, but allow major pruning.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT Council approves the removal of one (1) tree at 18 Amber Place as requested;

AND THAT as per the Town’s Tree Protection Bylaw 695, that two (2) trees be replanted (2:1 ratio) for this one (1) tree to be removed with the requirement.

SUBMITTED BY: Dave Podmoroff, Parks Supervisor

REVIEWED BY: John Rosenberg, Director of Engineering