Trees and Forests Advisory Committee

Report

Meeting #:	7th Meeting of the Trees and Forests Advisory Committee
Date:	Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at 12:15 P.m. - 3:15 P.m.
Location:	Committee Room #3

Attendance

• ​PRESENT:    G. Mitchell (Acting Chair); T. Khan, A. Meilutis, A. Morrison, N. St. Amour, M. Szabo, S. Teichert and R. Walker and J. Bunn (Acting Secretary)
    
  ABSENT:  C. Haindl, J. Koelheide, C. Linton and R. Mannella
    
  ALSO PRESENT:  A. Beaton, J. Ramsay, S. Rowland and J. Spence
    
  The meeting was called to order at 12:15 PM.

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1.

Call to Order

1.1

Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest

That it BE NOTED that no pecuniary interests were disclosed.

2.

Scheduled Items

2.1

Boulevard Tree Protection By-law Update

• That it BE NOTED that a verbal update from J. Spence, Manager, Urban Forestry, with respect to the Boulevard Tree Protection By-law, was received.

3.

Consent

3.1

6th Report of the Trees and Forests Advisory Committee

• That it BE NOTED that the 6th Report of the Trees and Forests Advisory Committee, from its meeting held on June 27, 2018, was received.

3.2

Highbury Avenue/Hamilton Road Intersection Improvements - Environmental Assessment Study - Notice of Completion

• That it BE NOTED that the Notice of Completion, from B. Huston, Dillon Consulting Limited and M. Elmadhoon, City of London, with respect to the Highbury Avenue/Hamilton Road Intersection Improvements Environmental Assessment Study, was received.

4.

Sub-Committees and Working Groups

4.1

(ADDED) Parks and Recreation Master Plan Working Group

• That the Civic Administration BE ADVISED of the following comments from the Trees and Forests Advisory Committee with respect to the Parks and Recreation Master Plan:

  ·         it should be ensured that trees continue to populate the City of London as it is “The Forest City” and more trees should be planted in shared recreation spaces;

  ·         it is recommended that a shade policy be created as a task item and implemented under the Parks and Recreation Master Plan;

  ·         selective tree species should be planted in parks and recreation areas to assist with safer shaded areas;

  ·         older trees should be kept and maintained as much as possible and all trees should be properly maintained (watering, trimming, etc.);

  ·         citizens of the City of London should be engaged with respect to what is being done to protect and encourage trees and forests in their area;

  ·         tree-related communities (i.e., ReForest London) should be allowed to use parks and recreation facilities to hold events;

  ·         the Parks and Recreation Master Plan should explicitly recognize the importance of park spaces play in the local environment and that park spaces should be designed in such a way as to enhance the environmental benefits they offer; and,

  ·         it is recommended that a Naturalization Policy be included as a task item under the Parks and Recreation Master Plan.

4.2

(ADDED) Tree Protection By-law Working Group

• That the Civic Administration BE ADVISED of the following comments of the Trees and Forests Advisory Committee with respect to the City of London Tree Protection By-law:

  ·         there should be a standardized form as part of the application package for both the “Arborist Report” and the “Arborist Opinion”;

  ·         the by-law should include a minimum canopy target of 51% of irreversible die back;

  ·         the definition of “Pest” should be revised to include an infestation causing detrimental and irreversible damage to the direct health of a tree;

  ·         the distinctive tree size should be reduced to 25 cm for a permit;

  ·         the definition of “Replacement Tree” should be revised to clarify that “native” is required and that “shade” and “large growing tree” are synonymous;

  ·         golf courses should be added to the exemption list in Section 5 of the by-law; and,

  ·         wildlife values and interests within a tree should be considered more carefully with respect to provincial and federal Acts and Regulations and tied back to the by-law process to ensure a consistent approach;

  it being noted that the attached communication from the Tree Protection By-law Working Group, with respect to this matter, was received.

5.

Items for Discussion

None.

6.

Deferred Matters/Additional Business

None.

7.

Adjournment

The meeting adjourned at 1:56 PM.