Developer defends move to cut down mature trees

‘You are telling me what I can and cannot do with my property’ builder argues with council

KITCHENER — The trees had to go because the new owner wants to demolish the existing Kitchener house, divide the property into two lots and construct a semi-detached home on each one.

“I want to build something that conforms with the rest of the neighbourhood,” said Vlad Knezevic, a low-rise, infill-developer who sparked a furious reaction from some neighbours after several mature trees at 86 Whitney Place were cut down.

Knezevic understands the emotional connection neighbours had with the trees, but they had to go in order to make room for the redevelopment.

“I talked with the sellers, they allowed us on site. They said: ‘Go ahead and cut down the trees,’” said Knezevic.

He does not take possession of the property until next month, but wanted to get started right away because of the delays expected in the approval process at City Hall. The COVID-19 pandemic has everything backed up in the development industry — from hiring subtrades to securing permits and variances from the city.

“The quicker you can schedule people in to get work done, the better, because now you talk to some guys and they are a year out,” said Knezevic.

It can take months just to schedule an appearance before the city committee that rules on severance applications. As Knezevic was speaking Monday, a surveyor he hired was setting up nearby to determine the exact locations of the lot lines.

“As soon as I have the survey in my hands I can start with actually submitting the application,” said Knezevic. “The intention is to sever and have them separately titled, but it all depends on the city.”

It can take months just to get an appearance before the city committee that rules on severance applications.

The residents in three nearby homes on Peter Street are upset with the loss of shade and shelter from the trees that were removed last week. They complained to the mayor and their city councillor, but were told there is nothing to be done.

Lisa Thomas and Janine Toms own properties that abut Knezevic’s lot. They plan to lobby the City of Kitchener to enact a bylaw that protects mature trees on private property regardless of the lot size.

“How exactly do you enforce that?” said Knezevic. “I am all for trees being planted on properties, but they have to be properly planted and properly maintained.”

There are two large spruce trees in a neighbouring yard that need to be trimmed, he said, as branches hang over the property line. The dead limbs on the big trees should be pruned, he added.

“I don’t like the idea of 80-foot high trees in my backyard, it makes me nervous, particularly when you have a bunch of dead branches,” said Knezevic.

The cedar trees and maple next to another neighbour’s fence will be removed if the survey shows the trees are on Knezevic’s property. He said some of them are not healthy anyway.

If people want trees that shade their properties, they should plant more trees on their properties, he said. Nobody should be allowed to say what he does on the property because they benefited from the trees that used to be there, said Knezevic.

“I was told I was being unreasonable, but you are telling me what I can and cannot do with my property,” he said.

The danger of poorly maintained trees was on display across the city recently when a severe thunderstorm moved over Kitchener with high winds that tore big branches from trees, causing property damage and power outages, he added.

“The question becomes, for all the people advocating for trees, how many are actually maintaining them on a regular basis?” said Knezevic.

He plans to live in one of the units that will be built on the site.

“I thought it was a good opportunity, development-wise,” said Knezevic. “I think it will actually benefit the area.”