Email From: “Sutcliffe, Mark (Mayor/Maire)”<mark.sutcliffe@ottawa.ca>
Date: February 27, 2024 at 2:50:37 PM EST
To: GCA Secretary <secretary@glebeca.ca>
Subject: Removal of Trees on Holmwood Avenue
Good afternoon Mr. Crump,
Thank you for your letter on behalf of the Glebe Community Association and thank you for your concern for the trees in your neighbourhood.
I understand that the application to the Committee of Adjustment (COA) for a proposed development at 290 Holmwood was adjourned by the Committee, at the recommendation of City staff, due to issues with the proposed development related to trees. A new application for the site has not been submitted to the COA. No trees have been removed from the site and a tree permit from the City has not been issued. When the new Tree Protection By-law came into effect, one of the key changes made was for City Foresters to be better integrated and to have much earlier involvement in infill development files. A new Infill Forester was hired, and new requirements were put in place for Tree Information Reports to be submitted with all Committee of Adjustment applications in the urban area. This early consideration of trees has enabled the City to have more oversight over tree retention, protection and planting in infill scenarios. As well, the new tree by-law brought in tree compensation requirements for trees that are permitted to be removed in infill development scenarios, which you reference in your letter.
This site is one of many sites where the earlier consideration of trees has been important. Having the tree review incorporated into the COA application process was key to identifying the tree issues early in the development process for this site, resulted in an adjournment at COA, and will allow staff to work with the developer to mitigate those issues if/when the owner re-submits to COA. The compensation that would be required for tree removal on this site was discussed in the staff report to COA on this file. For the proposed development, given the possible number of required compensation trees and the limited space available for planting, the staff report also encouraged the developer to work with neighbours and other nearby residents secure space to plant trees on other private properties near the proposed development site. Staff take this approach when there are many compensation trees to be planted and limited space on the development site. As per the tree by-law, for compensation trees that cannot be planted, $400/tree will be collected. The compensation money goes into the City’s tree planting accounts for future tree planting.
Staff have recently started work on a Tree Planting Strategy for Ottawa. The strategy will guide Ottawa towards the stated 40% canopy cover target over time. An Engage Ottawa site for the project will be launching shortly along with the first consultation survey on Ottawa’s tree planting programs. One element of the strategy will be to develop a framework for tracking and prioritizing the spending of tree compensation funds that are being collected under the Tree Protection By-law.
Thank you again for your letter.
Sincerely,
Mark Sutcliffe
Mayor/ Maire
City of Ottawa/ Ville d’Ottawa