Thanks to a team effort…
(To Mario Sierra, director of general services) “An issue has arisen within the community regarding plans from Streets Division to proceed with a tree removal in District 3 as part of a curb upgrade project (please note email from a concerned resident).
As the Community Forest Advisory Board (CFAB) Rep for District 3, and according to City Policy, I am requesting a 30-day extension of the tree removal to allow time for the Board to evaluate whether this particular tree meets the criteria for tree protection designation. Based on the tree’s size alone it may meet the criteria; though further review is needed.
According to Council Policy No. 900-19, “Public Tree Protection”, “all tree removal permit requests will be sent to Community Planning Groups, the Community Forest Advisory Board as well as to the Council members. Reviewing individuals will have the normal 30-day period to request an extension of time on the removal if they feel that the tree may qualify according to one of the four categories listed above (ie. landmark tree, heritage tree, parkway resource tree or preservation grove.”
Furthermore, in the same Policy (C. Measures Afforded Tree Protection Categories) it states that “regardless of sidewalk damage, no action will be taken that will result in the death of the tree. Sidewalk relocation or redesign may considered.”
In accordance with this Policy, I ask that you immediately instruct your staff to delay this removal until those responsible can determine if a protection is warranted, and if so, that a redesign of the sidewalk proceed per Policy.
Thank you for your attention to this matter, and I look forward to hearing from you regarding this request so that we can begin the review immediately.”
