Calls are underway for the City to get tough with penalties to developers who cut down protected trees.
A Long Branch group has thrown its support behind stiffer action against companies that violate City tree protection laws.
The Long Branch Residents Association Incorporated has banded with the Leaside Residents Association in calling on the city to toughen up by-law protected tree-cutting laws following a years old tree that was cut down by developers in June.
The issue re-surfaced following public uproar after a long-standing by-law protected, mature honey locust tree in Leeside was cut down by a developer, with little penalty.
It led City officials to work on revised plans requiring additional variances to ensure the protection of the tree while facilitating the construction of new housing on the site.
The issue was considered and amended by City Council at its July 23, 24 and 25 meeting.
A tree known as Big Red is more than 100 years old.
“Long Branch has lost many well-loved healthy, mature trees in recent years due to development when options exist for these trees to be preserved,” wrote Judy Gibson, chair of the Tree Canopy Preservation and Enhancement Committee.
“Changes are needed to strengthen urban forestry policy to better protect private trees and plantable space for these trees to grow to their full potential and to plant new large canopy trees.”
She agreed the existing fines are often not enough of a deterrent to prevent illegal tree injuries and removals.
A motion before the City by Councillor Rachel Chernos Lin and seconded by Councillor Shelley Carrol calls for a list of by-law protected trees to be kept on file to check against applications from developers before an application is approved,
“These recommendations link the culling of a well-loved mature honey locust tree at 712 Eglinton Avenue East in Leaside to much needed changes in urban forestry policy by the City,” wrote Geoff Kettel and Carol Burtin Fripp, of The Leaside Residents Association.
“These changes are needed to prevent such incidents from re-occurring and to protect the urban tree canopy,” the co-presidents said.
Staff said the policy can link forestry infractions and building permit permissions, which requires urgent action by the Ontario government.