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DEPUTATIONS CONCERNING MOTION 21-G-210, INDIVIDUAL (SINGLE) TREE BY-LAW
The following individuals provided Deputations concerning motion 21-G-210, Individual (Single) Tree By-law:
1. Cathy Colebatch advised that in her opinion an Individual (Single) Tree By-law is long overdue for the City. Ms. Colebatch provided an overview of the mandates for the Allandale Historic Neighborhood Association and Heritage Barrie Committee: to educate, preserve and protect historic buildings and natural landscapes. She advised of a recent letter from the Allandale Neighborhood Association to City of Barrie describing the recent unfortunate incident that resulted in the damage of heritage trees in the Allandale neighborhood.
Ms. Colebatch described the heritage trees within her own backyard and the surrounding properties that are anywhere from a quarter century to over a century old, are boundary markers and were planted before the homes were built. She noted the importance of public engagement and suggested that outside organizations for example: landscape architects, urban foresters, Living Green, and the Allandale Historic Neighbourhood Association be given an opportunity to provide input before staff report back to Council.
Ms. Colebatch advised of her support for potential changes associated to heritage trees through permitting and planning or by-law changes. She noted the need to preserve and protect these trees from excavation and accidents occurring from new builds of dwellings, accessory units, and swimming pools.
Ms. Colebatch asked that until staff report back to Council, that something be done immediately to prevent future damage to the trees.
2. Arlene McCann discussed her concerns of City trees being endangered given that seventy-five percent of trees are located on private property and ninety percent of properties are now eligible for detached secondary dwellings.
Ms. McCann provided the particulars of an incident that took place in early July that resulted in the loss of two century old trees in the Burton Avenue area, and safety concerns from the excavating for the detached second dwelling that are yet to be corrected. She expressed her frustration due to the lack of regulations regarding detached second dwellings and no protection for citizens’ properties and tree canopies.
Ms. McCann suggested the City consider regulations for new builds of detached second dwellings including: the offering of incentives to retain property trees, requirement to give notice to neighbors of tree removal, conduct tree inventory, conform to best practices when excavating, building permits for a house under the detached second dwelling umbrella, and larger set back from the property lines. She also suggested an emergency injunction be put in place to stop the approval of any more detached second dwellings until regulations are in place.
Ms. McCann advised that she is not against creating affordable housing or adding a smaller slab on grade dwellings, but to do so by not killing the surrounding trees. She asked that the City protect the tree canopy and neighbourhoods by not putting more trees in jeopardy and before this imminent climate crisis becomes an emergency.