Item - 2026.NY33.18

North York Community Council:

1. Approved the request for a permit to remove one privately owned tree located at 71 Paperbirch Drive and required the applicant to provide five replacement trees which can be achieved in a combination of on-site planting and cash-in-lieu of planting to the satisfaction of the Executive Director, Environment, Climate and Forestry.

At its meeting on April 29, 2026, North York Community Council re-opened item NY32.23, deferred its consideration until the May 26, 2026 meeting, and directed that Notice be issued in accordance with Municipal Code Chapter 813, Trees.

Summary from the report (March 9, 2026) from the Director, Urban Forestry, Environment, Climate and Forestry:

This report requests that North York Community Council deny the request for a permit to remove one privately owned tree located at 71 Paperbirch Drive. The applicant indicates the reason for requesting removal of the tree is concerns that the tree is leaning towards the house and the potential for property damage.

The Colorado blue spruce tree (Picea pungens) measures 36 centimetres in diameter. The City's Tree By-laws do not support the removal of this tree as it is healthy and maintainable. The permit was denied, and the applicant is appealing the decision. Community Council has delegated authority from City Council to make a final decision as to whether a permit may be issued when an applicant appeals the City's decision to deny a tree permit.