[CANUFNET] High density housing and tree planting

[pwynnyczuk at richmondhill.ca]

The bigger issue related to tree planting in relation to intensified 
development is the compression of the utilities in the smaller frontage 
width and narrower road allowances.  Transformers, street lights, 
hydrants, +communication pedestals all take up a smaller footprint. having 
some minium distances of even 2 m from hydrants or transformers (non- 
opening side) can be a challenge if you still want to maintain 1.5 to 2.m 
from driveways. Compound that with Streetlights that we try to stay about 
6 m from .....
With street townhouses we find that there is about one municipal tree for 
about 5 or 6 units  that are 6 to 8 m wide frontage due to the above 
structures.

3m setback does not allow for sidewalks unless over the utilities, or 
vehicles being contained to private property, unless the unit front and 
garage are offset to allow parking entirely on private property.

Bottom line after the Developers/Engineers are through there would be 
little municipal  soil space that is not obstructed or in conflict with 
utilities available for the trees. 
Private plantings elsewhere has its risk in terms of if they are part of 
the site plan registered on title to help continue their maintenance or 
replacement as needed.  If it is left to the property owner, then buy in 
is important at the marketing stage to accept responsibility for tree 
care. 

Regards,
Peter Wynnyczuk

Urban Forestry Supervisor
Town of Richmond Hill
Community Services Department
Telephone:  905 780-2930
Fax:  905 780-2928
Internet: pwynnyczuk at richmondhill.ca




From:   "Ian Wilson" <IWilson at kelowna.ca>
To:     "Canadian Urban Forest Network" <canufnet at list.web.net>
Date:   04/08/2011 11:59 AM
Subject:        Re: [CANUFNET] High density housing and tree planting
Sent by:        canufnet-bounces at list.web.net



We?ve had some similar issues in Kelowna, because much of the new 
development is happening on hillsides.  In these areas, the roads are 
narrower and so are the building lots.  In some cases we?ve said we don?t 
want street trees because it?s too narrow.  However you might be able to 
work with your development bylaw and require that the trees get planted 
elsewhere on the private property (in the back yard) if there?s enough 
space.  That way you still get the environmental benefits but not the 
maintenance costs.
 
Ian Wilson
City of Kelowna
 
From: canufnet-bounces at list.web.net [mailto:canufnet-bounces at list.web.net] 
On Behalf Of Nielsen, Astrid
Sent: Friday, April 08, 2011 8:37 AM
To: canufnet at list.web.net
Subject: [CANUFNET] High density housing and tree planting
 
Hi urban foresters,
 
With a mandate of intensification, our City of Ottawa planning department 
is facing pressure to decrease the setbacks from home to the city 
right-of-ways down to 3 m. This would mean that trees could be planted as 
close as 3.5 m from the home, which could cause complications down the 
road from a tree trimming perspective. Are other jurisdictions facing this 
same pressure, and if so, how close to the homes are you allowing trees to 
be planted?
 
I would be interested to know if other jurisdictions have developed 
species specific guidelines for how close trees can be planted to homes. 
Any information on this would be very useful. Thanks!
 
 
Astrid Nielsen, RPF | Forester | Forestry Services | City of Ottawa | 
, 100 Constellation Ave. | Ottawa, Ontario, K2G 6J8| ( (613) 580-2400 
x15258 | Fax: (613)580-2611 
 

This e-mail originates from the City of Ottawa e-mail system. Any 
distribution, use or copying of this e-mail or the information it contains 
by other than the intended recipient(s) is unauthorized. If you are not 
the intended recipient, please notify me at the telephone number shown 
above or by return e-mail and delete this communication and any copy 
immediately. Thank you.
Le présent courriel a été expédié par le système de courriels de la Ville 
d'Ottawa. Toute distribution, utilisation ou reproduction du courriel ou 
des renseignements qui s'y trouvent par une personne autre que son 
destinataire prévu est interdite. Si vous avez reçu le message par erreur, 
veuillez m'en aviser par téléphone (au numéro précité) ou par courriel, 
puis supprimer sans délai la version originale de la communication ainsi 
que toutes ses copies. Je vous remercie de votre collaboration.
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://list.web.net/pipermail/canufnet/attachments/20110408/334e7eec/attachment.htm>