Tree protection bylaw to take root in Niagara-on-the-Lake

A draft bylaw to protect trees on private properties in the five urban areas of Niagara-on-the-Lake will be presented to town councillors for review in August.

Lura Consulting was hired by the town last June to engage in public consultation to determine if there was a need for this type of bylaw. More than 600 stakeholders and residents participated in online surveys, interviews and an open house held this year.

The message was clear — 89 per cent of participants in the online survey and open house want a bylaw to preserve and protect trees on private property in urban areas.

A similar number agreed that if a tree is removed, a replacement tree should be planted on the property or at another location approved by the town and the bylaw should include penalties to encourage compliance.

As for costs involved for administration, enforcement and education for a new bylaw, responses were split between two main options. Almost half of respondents favoured expenses being shared by all taxpayers and 43 per cent wanted fees charged for removal permits and inspections.

The majority of residents who participated in the public engagement process were from Old Town and most of them were aged 50 to 69.

One of the nine stakeholder groups contacted by the consultants was the Niagara-on-the-Lake Conservancy, which has been lobbying the town for tree protection on private properties for three years.

“The results of the Lura report … together with a 1,000-person petition … shows that the residents of Niagara-onthe-Lake overwhelmingly endorse the need for a tree bylaw,” conservancy president Gracia Janes told councillors Monday.

“While trees live on someone’s property, the benefits they provide are not specific to property boundaries,” she said. “All trees affect everyone’s life in many positive and enduring ways.”

Responding to a question from council whether she thought a tree inventory should be completed before a bylaw is passed, Janes said the inventory should be done later.

“We’re three years late as it is,” she said, adding that a further delay would result in developers and private property owners cutting down more trees.

A motion by Coun. Betty Disero was approved that an urban tree protection bylaw be adopted in principle. Staff were directed to prepare a draft bylaw for council to consider in August with a public meeting to be held shortly after.

Director of community and development Craig Larmour said after staff researched urban tree bylaws in three municipalities, the town’s solicitor indicated his preference is for one used in Guelph.

Council set a target date of September to give final passage to a tree protection bylaw.