A Vancouver neighbourhood is working to save what residents say is a valued piece of greenery from being removed as part of a proposed development.
The saga has been recounted in detail by City Hall Watch, a volunteer-run civic watchdog in Vancouver. It started in June of this year when the City of Vancouver received an application to develop a five-storey, mixed-use building at 2120 10th Avenue in Kitsilano. The application was submitted by Stephane Laroye Architect Inc. with plans for the construction to be carried out by Bastion Development Corporation.
In the plans submitted to the city by Bastion, one page points to two trees slated for removal as per an arborist report which was not attached. The building was designed for certification under the city’s Passive House building standards, essentially guidelines for a net-zero emissions building.
Upon learning the tree’s days appeared to be numbered, locals put up signs around one of the tree’s trunks in an attempt to raise attention and save it. City Hall Watch documented this, estimating the elm tree has been standing in the same spot for the last 90 years.
“This is a valuable case study to spotlight how the stakeholders handle a matter such as this,” City Hall Watch writes. “It reveals the tensions between various interests in Vancouver, including development and profit versus ecology, climate, and urban forest policies.”
Still, the public has a chance to have their say. The City of Vancouver’s original deadline for public input was set for Aug. 10 but currently the city’s website still appears to be taking submissions and no dates for a final decision have been given.
According to City Hall Watch, the public has requested a copy of the arborist report to find the justification to remove the tree. However, City Hall Watch writes that according to the project coordinator, any third-party report -- like an arborist report -- can contain confidential, proprietary information and as such could only be obtained through an FOI request.
“However, the trees affected by this project stand on public land,” City Hall Watch wrote in a recent update. “They are owned by the public, the people of Vancouver. Accordingly, the Vancouver Park Board is reviewing the matter and will prepare a summary report.”
To leave your thoughts on the issue, be sure to check out the City of Vancouver’s Shape your City webpage.
