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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday September 27, 2008 - 9 Tree bylaw heads to council for green light By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Several years and many acrimonious meetings after the topic was first raised, Oakville is on the verge of having a bylaw to protect trees on private property. The bylaw, which would require residents to obtain a permit to cut down largesize or numerous trees, has been given unanimous approval by councillors on the town's Community Services committee. The proposed bylaw, which would come into effect on Nov. 1, requires approval of town council on Monday night, but it appears likely it will be adopted. The new rules would allow property owners to cut down up to four trees a year, provided the trees have trunk diameters no larger than 76 cm (30 inches). Although no permit is required, the town is asking for notification, to allow it to track tree canopy changes in Oakville. Property owners wishing to remove more than four trees will have to obtain a permit at a cost of $200 per tree, while those wanting to remove any tree over 76 cm in diameter will need a $500 permit. The town may refuse to issue a permit for very large or special species of trees. Exemptions to the permit requirement will be made for dead or hazardous trees, although the bylaw calls for residents to supply the town with an arborist's letter certifying the tree's ill-health. Town staff is considering ways that would not cost property owners. However, staff added that most people will hire a tree removal service to cut down a tree over 76 cm in diameter and that a letter from the company's arborist would likely be provided as part of the removal service. Several councillors noted that the bylaw is weaker than rules, which have been proposed in the past, but hope it will help the town contend with redevelopment that has been wreaking havoc in many exclusive areas of south Oakville. Large and often heavily-treed lots have been prime pickings for developers and home owners looking to build massive new houses. Construction typically requires the removal of many of the very mature trees on the property. "It's been a long journey to get to this point," noted Ward 4 Councillor Allan Elgar. "This is a start. It's certainly not the strongest tree bylaw in the land...but hopefully it will stop the tree devastation, particularly in south Oakville." Only about 20 people attended Thursday night's committee meeting -- a change from the packed rooms that have characterized previous discussions in the past -- but the topic still raised the passions of those in attendance. Oakvillegreen president Liz Benneian told councillors that the organization supports the bylaw as one way to protect the town's trees from ever-increasing threats. "Trees and forests are longterm propositions," she said. "If you want trees in the future, you have to protect what we have." "We do not think the draft bylaw is strong enough," Benneian added. "However, we think a weak bylaw is better than no bylaw at all." Her sentiments were echoed by resident Catherine Kavassalis, who suggested Oakville's mature trees are as significant as its heritage buildings and worthy of protection. "We need to raise awareness among private property owners that these aren't lawn ornaments that can be changed on a whim," said Kavassalis. However, councillors also heard from several residents opposing the proposed bylaw. One southeast Oakville residents told councillors he thinks it is unfair to penalize private property owners who wish or need to remove trees, given that they are already bearing the costs of maintaining the trees, which offer a benefit to the entire community. A second resident added that the cost of the program -- both in terms of fees and staff time required to administer it -- is too expensive, and that increasing bureaucracy is making Oakville an unaffordable place to live. Town staff had suggested hiring one full-time bylaw enforcement officer and one full-time clerk, at an annual cost of $195,000, to administer the program. Ward 6 Councillor Tom Adams balked at that cost, noting Mississauga requires only one-quarter of an officer and one-tenth of a clerk to service a similar program in a city four times the size of Oakville. Town CAO Ray Green said he may be able to find ways to lower that cost, and will present staffing options to the town's Budget Committee later this year. Fees from tree-cutting permits will be used to establish a Replacement Tree Planting Fund and support tree health education programs. The town will establish a database to track tree canopy in Oakville. Meet Teresa & Lorraine king out mily Y Teresa at's great Child ty and he Y r kids. on for ildren's hild e Y! ning core ss ms rams C d d g 410 Rebecca Street Oakville, ON L6K 1K7 Telephone: 905-845-3417 Facsimile: 905-842-6792 E-mail: customerservice@oakville.ymca.ca