The City’s Tree Survey wraps up this month as officials study examine tougher rules for the illegal treatment of trees.
A long-awaited City survey looking at ways to enforce Toronto’s tree canopy laws through stiffer fines or bylaws will wrap up on September 24.
There will be a public meeting to obtain information on the Toronto Tree Survey on September 17, at 5p.m., at the Long Branch Library, at 35 00 Lake Shore Blvd. W.
City staff in a report to be considered by Council have been asked to strengthen protections for Toronto’s tree canopy by improving enforcement tools, clarifying how tree bylaws relate to building permits and exploring public transparency around violations.
To incentivize compliance, the City is considering higher fines for tree bylaw contraventions, as the illegal removal of healthy trees.
A dedicated fund is being considered to support the care of mature trees on private property, specifically those identified as Distinctive Trees, which are more than 61 centimetres in diameter. Qualifying private owners would be eligi9ble for an incentive that would help offset the cost of maintenance.
Black Walnut trees as this one will be face more protections under planned bylaw changes.
The report noted that 55 per cent of the city’s trees are located on private property and there are no initiatives that help with the maintenance of mature trees on private land.
The City is also exploring changes to better protect trees during new development to encourage builders in residential areas to keep more trees that are protected under bylaws, by giving them more flexibility in how they design buildings to preserve protected trees.
“If a new home needs to be moved closer to the street to save a tree in the backyard, and that change doesn’t meet current zoning rules, the City could approve it’,” council was told. “The City would support this kind of exception because it helps protect a bylaw protected tree.” The City is considering introducing fees for the removal or damage of trees in ravines to help cover the cost of reviewing and processing permits. Voluntary stewardship projects involving planting native trees, removing invasive species or restoring habitats, would be exempt.
For more information, email TreeBylaw@toronto.ca