Item - 2023.EY6.6

The Etobicoke York Community Council:

1. Approved the request for a permit to remove two City-owned trees located at 5 Verona Avenue, conditional upon the applicant:

• providing payment of the appraised value of the trees ($4,876.00 for the 60 cm diameter Manitoba maple tree and $7,932.00 for the 93 cm diameter Manitoba maple tree) to be removed;
• agreeing to have the trees removed at their expense;

• providing five replacement trees for each tree removed, for a total of ten trees, which can be achieved in a combination of on-site planting and cash in-lieu of planting to the satisfaction of the General Manager of Parks, Forestry and Recreation, and;

• providing a tree planting security deposit to cover the cost of planting and warranty for a period of two years for all trees to be planted on City property.

This report requests that Etobicoke York Community Council deny the request for a permit to remove two City-owned trees located at 5 Verona Avenue. The applicant indicates the reason for requesting removal of the trees is due to a conflict with the construction of a new home and driveway.

The two Manitoba maple trees, Acer negundo, in question measure 60 cm and 93 cm in diameter. The City's Tree By-laws do not support the removal of these trees as they are maintainable. Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision as to whether a permit may be issued when an applicant wishes to appeal the City's decision to deny a tree permit.