Councillors complain of ‘pre-emptive strikes’ occurring before bylaw can be passed
April 01, 2009
Scott Tracey
Guelph Mercury
Mayor Karen Farbridge deemed it “a tragedy” the rate at which Guelph is losing its trees, but nonetheless voted against having staff investigate the feasibility of creating an interim tree bylaw.
Farbridge was the only member of the Community Development and Environmental Services committee to vote against a motion to that effect floated by Coun. Leanne Piper.
Jim Riddell, director of community design and development, said city staff are working on a new tree bylaw. He said council should get a status update on the bylaw before summer, and the legislation should be in place by the end of this year.
But Piper wants to see something sooner, if possible.
“What I’m seeing lately are perfectly healthy trees coming down for no good reason whatsoever,” Piper said, adding without an interim bylaw “we’re going to continue losing healthy trees.”
Coun. Mike Salisbury said he has noticed “pre-emptive tree clearing” in his west end ward, as developers remove foliage well in advance of building.
Piper is concerned as residents learn the city is working on a new tree bylaw “we could see a sudden rash of people taking down healthy trees.”
Coun. Maggie Laidlaw also expressed concern about “pre-emptive strikes” before a bylaw is in place.
But in arguing against Piper’s motion, the mayor said she would prefer to have staff spend their time working on “the real bylaw” rather than preparing a report to council.
Riddell agreed it might make more sense to apply resources to the bylaw itself in an attempt to bring it forward as soon as possible.
“We want to balance staff resources to see what is the most effective way to protect trees,” Riddell said.
Ric Jordan, a member of Guelph Urban Forest Friends, urged the city to establish an interim bylaw.
He said urban forestry guidelines suggest a 40 per cent tree canopy for cities “to reduce the negative effects of climate change on air quality and health.”
Currently, Guelph has a canopy of less than 25 per cent.
Jordan noted some of the older areas of the city have more than 40 per cent canopy “but in some of the newer parts of the city we’re probably down around five per cent.”
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April 4, 2009
Guelph Mercury – Tree Clearing Frustrates City
Posted by GUFF under Commentary | Tags: CDES, City of Guelph |Leave a Comment
Councillors complain of ‘pre-emptive strikes’ occurring before bylaw can be passed
April 01, 2009
Scott Tracey
Guelph Mercury
Mayor Karen Farbridge deemed it “a tragedy” the rate at which Guelph is losing its trees, but nonetheless voted against having staff investigate the feasibility of creating an interim tree bylaw.
Farbridge was the only member of the Community Development and Environmental Services committee to vote against a motion to that effect floated by Coun. Leanne Piper.
Jim Riddell, director of community design and development, said city staff are working on a new tree bylaw. He said council should get a status update on the bylaw before summer, and the legislation should be in place by the end of this year.
But Piper wants to see something sooner, if possible.
“What I’m seeing lately are perfectly healthy trees coming down for no good reason whatsoever,” Piper said, adding without an interim bylaw “we’re going to continue losing healthy trees.”
Coun. Mike Salisbury said he has noticed “pre-emptive tree clearing” in his west end ward, as developers remove foliage well in advance of building.
Piper is concerned as residents learn the city is working on a new tree bylaw “we could see a sudden rash of people taking down healthy trees.”
Coun. Maggie Laidlaw also expressed concern about “pre-emptive strikes” before a bylaw is in place.
But in arguing against Piper’s motion, the mayor said she would prefer to have staff spend their time working on “the real bylaw” rather than preparing a report to council.
Riddell agreed it might make more sense to apply resources to the bylaw itself in an attempt to bring it forward as soon as possible.
“We want to balance staff resources to see what is the most effective way to protect trees,” Riddell said.
Ric Jordan, a member of Guelph Urban Forest Friends, urged the city to establish an interim bylaw.
He said urban forestry guidelines suggest a 40 per cent tree canopy for cities “to reduce the negative effects of climate change on air quality and health.”
Currently, Guelph has a canopy of less than 25 per cent.
Jordan noted some of the older areas of the city have more than 40 per cent canopy “but in some of the newer parts of the city we’re probably down around five per cent.”
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