481 yonge street, barrie residential development hall/planning-and... · the subject site is...

481 YONGE STREET, BARRIE RESIDENTIAL DEVELOPMENT

TREE INVENTORY, ANALYSIS & PRESERVATION REPORT

481 YONGE ST., CITY OF BARRIE, ONTARIO

MAY 2019

OUR FILE: LA 380-19 CITY FILE: D11-1667

PREPARED BY:

LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE & CONSULTING ARBORISTS 112 COMMERCE PARK ROAD, UNIT L, BARRIE, ONTARIO L4N 6Y8 TELEPHONE: 705-796-1122 Email: [email protected] Website: www.LEGroupLtd.com

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.legroupltd.com/

Arbor Report for 481 Yonge St, Barrie, ON May 13, 2019 Landmark Environmental Group Ltd.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table of Contents……………………………………..………………….….…..……….………...……….…. 2 1.0 Scope/Assignment….……………………………….………………………………..…......…..…….…. 3 2.0 Proposed Development…..………………………….……….………………….….…….…....….…..... 3 3.0 Method …………………….……………………….………..…………….……… ….……..….……...… 4 4.0 Observations………..……………………………….……..…………………….……….…….….….…... 5 5.0 Study Criteria……………..…………………………….....……………………….……...……..………… 6 6.0 Analysis and Recommendations…..……………………….…………………..…......…..……....…..... 6 6.1 Analysis ………………………………………………...…………….….…..…………………….. 7 6.2 Summary/Recommendations………..………………………………….……..……..……......... 7 7.0 Arborist Declaration……………………………………..……………….……..………….…….….………9

FIGURES Figure 1 Airphoto of Subject Site and Surrounding Area……….……………………..…….….……..…... 4

TABLES Table 1 List of Observed Woody Plant Species on the Subject Site.……..…………….….…….…....… 5

APPENDICES Appendix A: Conceptual Grading Plan of Subject Site …………………………………………...……….. 10 Appendix B: Tree Inventory, Preservation, Detail (ARB-1, ARB-2, ARB-3, D-1) ..………………….. 11-14 Appendix C: Tree Inventory and Assessment Table....……………………….…………….…….…......... 15 Appendix D: Selected Site Photos…………………………………………………...…………..……….. 16-18


1.0 Scope/Assignment: The Landmark Environmental Group Ltd. (LEGroup) was retained 481 Yonge Developments Inc. to provide Consulting Arboriculture services to lands located on the east side of Yonge Street between Little Avenue and Big Bay Point Road municipally known as 481 Yonge Street in the City of Barrie. The assignment is to prepare a Tree Inventory, Analysis, Preservation Report and Plan in support of a multi-residential development to assess the existing trees on the subject site, indicate those trees that can be preserved and the methods for protecting the same. Further, those trees that cannot be preserved either by poor or declining health, structural deficiencies or to facilitate the proposed development on the site, are indicated to be removed. Specifically, LEG was assigned to provide the following services:

• Review site data including survey, site plan drawings and grading/servicing plans, to provide for a site visit and correspond with City and Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority (LSRCA) staff as applicable;

• Conduct a field review to inventory tree specimens, tree groupings, boundary trees visually assessing and identifying the type, location, size and quality of any trees on site within the developable area and indicating the presence of any Butternut (in accordance with the Endangered Species Act 2007);

• Provide a Tree Inventory, Analysis and Preservation Report that sets out the methodology, observations, criteria, analysis and conclusions of our review and area conditions;

• Indicate on a Tree Inventory and Protection Plan, those trees that are suitable for preservation or removal and providing the methods of protecting the same;

• Provide a Landscape Plan that shows which trees are proposed to be protected. In addition, LEGroup has been retained to provide a landscape plan in accordance with City pre-consultation comments.

It is the intent in the undertaking of this Report, to comply with the City of Barrie tree preservation policies and any requirements of the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority. 2.0 Proposed Development: The subject site is located at the south-east corner of Yonge Street and Macmillan Crescent and legally described as Block 113 on Plan 51M-453 in the City of Barrie, County of Simcoe, Ontario. The site has a total lot area of .57 ha and the Owner is proposing to construct a three (3) storey apartment building. The proposed development concept can be seen in the attached Concept Grading Plan by Pinestone Engineering Inc. on drawing GP-1 in Appendix A. The limits of the Arborist study were confined to the subject site and three (3) metres exterior to the existing property boundaries to assess the health and structure of the trees that may be affected as a result of the proposed development. LEGroup staff also undertook a Level 1 structural assessment for trees within the area proposed to be developed.

This Tree Inventory, Analysis and Preservation Report is submitted in support of and intended to accompany development applications submitted to the City of Barrie for their consideration of the proposed apartment.


Below, is an air photo illustrating the location of the subject site (red lines show the site boundaries):

Figure 1 Air photo of 481 Yonge Street, Barrie (boundary highlighted) and Surrounding Area (Simcoe GIS) 3.0 Method: A summary of the inventory, observations and assessments that were determined in the field can be found in Appendix C at the end of this Report. The tree assessments were identified in accordance with the detailed typical criteria used in best arboricultural practices to indicate the merits of tree preservation including the species (Latin and common names), size diameter at breast height (dbh), maturity, biological health, structural concerns (if any), condition rating and recommendations for preservation or removal of existing specimen trees. Condition ratings applied to overall tree assessments using the above-noted criteria range from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent). Typically, those trees being assessed a condition rating of 1-3 are recommended for removal while those trees being assessed a condition rating of 4-5 are recommended for preservation unless there are extenuating circumstances regarding the development of the site. The criterion is also applied to assist in assessment of their potential for survival in-situ post construction. For the purposes of this Report, only those trees over 10cm dbh were captured. No shrubs or low understory perennials were captured in the data. Each tree was assigned a key number (1-23) and observations relating to each tree were tabulated in the Tree Inventory (Appendix C). Each tree was also located on a Tree Inventory and Preservation Map


corresponding to the number assigned and can be seen in the Tree Inventory, Assessment and Preservation Plan (ARB-1) as shown in Appendix B. 4.0 Observations In March 2019, LEGroup staff (J. Hosick) who is a Landscape Architect (Full member OALA) and a qualified Arborist (ISA), visited the subject site to review the existing trees in light of the proposed residential development. Subsequently, April 2019, LEGroup staff (J. Hosick & J. Grice) attended the site with the intent to provide an inventory and assessment of existing individual tree species present. LEGroup staff also made a cursory review of existing trees exterior to the subject property to visually assess the quality of the vegetation and degree of canopy crossover the boundary. The description below is a culmination of observations obtained from both site visits. LEGroup staff noted that the ground elevations adjacent to sidewalk descend approximately 2 m from the Yonge Street ROW in an easterly aspect but are otherwise mostly level ground. Generally, most of the trees seen along the Yonge street frontage are located at the crest, mid or bottom of the slope. The following woody plant species were observed on the subject site during fieldwork that gives an indication of the characteristic make-up of the site:

Latin name Common Name % of Total Trees Pinus sylvestris Scots/Scotch Pine 8.7%

Populus alba White Poplar 13%

Robinia pseudoacacia Black Locust 8.7%

Salix nigra Black Willow 69.6

Total Trees (subject to rounding) 100%

Table 1 List of Observed Woody Plant Species on the Subject Site

A total of 23 trees were observed at a DBH (diameter breast height) greater than 10cm on the subject site and are recorded in Appendix C. These are considered to be all native and non-evasive vegetation. The trees observed are only configured around the lot perimeter with the occurrences located along the west (Yonge Street) and south boundaries. The largest proportion of trees observed on the site (at almost 70%) were established Black Willows located along both the west and south frontage (Tree Nos. 2, 4-14 & 17-20) and are expected to have originated as ‘fly-ins’ from external to the site. These trees are assessed to be in marginal to poor condition and note health and structural deficiencies including dual trunks, branch dieback, significant lean from the vertical, epicormic shoots (suckering) and included bark (weak structural connections) as seen on the Cover Photo, Photos B, C & D in Appendix D. Root collars on some Willow specimens appear to be buried, having a negative effect on the health of these trees. Three Willows are assessed to be in poor condition with evidence of fungal conks, included bark and mechanical damage. The second most frequently observed species are White Poplars (Tree Nos. 21-23) occurring on or adjacent to the slope leading to the drainage swale along the south property line. These are also expected to be ‘fly-ins’ and are assessed to be in marginal condition. Typical of the species, these Poplars are observed to exhibit leaning and dual trunks but otherwise appear in healthy condition (see Photo F, Appendix D). The remaining trees observed were Black Locust (Tree Nos. 1 & 3) and Scots Pine (Tree Nos. 15 & 16). The Black Locust are located at the north and west side of the site close to the municipal sidewalk near the top of the slope (see Photo A, Appendix D). These trees are assessed to be in marginal health with multiple trunks and corrected leans. Characteristic of the Black Locust species are prominent thorns along


the trunk and branching. The Scots Pine assessed to be in marginal and fair condition are located within the south-west corner of the site was observed to have branch dieback and a slight lean. Boundary Trees There are three (3) boundary trees along the east property line off-site whose canopies cross the property line into the subject site. These trees were identified (north to south on ARB-1) as a Silver Maple (Acer saccharinum-canopy crossover of 3m), the second tree identified as a Black Cherry (Prunus serotina-crossover of .5m) and a Norway Maple (Acer platanoides-crossover of 2.2m). The approximate extent and dimension of the canopy of each of those trees are shown in drawing ARB-2 & ARB-3, Appendix B. LEGroup staff did not identify any Butternut (Juglans cinerea) on the subject parcel during the on-site inventory in accordance with the requirements of the Endangered Species Act, 2007. 5.0 Study Criteria Tree observations were recorded individually, as set out in the Tree Inventory and Assessment Table (Appendix C), in accordance with the criteria established by common arboricultural practice including:

✓ Latin/Common Name of tree; ✓ Size (mm cal); ✓ Condition/Comments; and ✓ Recommendation for Preservation or Removal

Tree locations are on the Tree Inventory and Preservation Plan were recorded and adjusted however, the locations are approximate as shown on Drawing ARB-1 in Appendix B. 6.0 Analysis and Recommendations 6.1 Analysis The following analysis criteria were generally applied to measure the merits of tree preservation:

• Species (including native & non-native)

• Size/Maturity

• Structure

• Health

• Location

• Areas of proposed development. These criteria were applied to the tree assessments to determine the extent of preservation and removal. In addition, the criterion is applied to assess of their potential for survival in-situ post construction. As shown on ARB-2 and ARB-3, Tree Nos. 1-3 are located adjacent to the municipal sidewalk within a proposed 3.0m road widening. In addition, we note from the photos in Appendix D that these trees are also located on the crest or side slope which is expected to be subject to significant re-grading. As a result, it is recommended that Tree Nos 1-3 be removed to accommodate the proposed development. Similarly, Tree Nos 4-13 are located along the Yonge Street frontage are expected to be located too close to the proposed development as shown with the canopy extent and would not be expected to survive post-construction. In addition, there is a proposed swale to accommodate the stormwater management flows that is located close to the existing tree trunks. These can also be seen in ARB-2 and ARB-3.


In the same manner, Tree Nos. 14 & 15 are too close to the south face of the proposed residential structure and are recommended for removal. Tree Nos. 16-20 are shown to be in conflict with a proposed 1.5-2.0m retaining wall and are likewise, recommended for removal. These trees fall within the anticipated development and are considered too close in proximity to avoid construction stresses leading to health decline. Tree No. 21 has a canopy that is shown to be in conflict with the proposed retaining wall. Since there is a relatively low value associated with Poplar trees, it would be our recommendation to remove this tree in favour of a higher quality replacement that can heel-in with the finished development. Similarly, the trunk and canopy of Tree No. 23 is too close to the proposed retaining wall and considering its relatively low value, we recommend that this tree also be removed. Tree No. 22 is located at or close to the boundary line on the exterior side with 489 Yonge Street along the south property line. We recommend that this tree be preserved since they are located close to the proposed development however, they are deemed to be sufficiently setback to avoid damage due to construction. Alternatively, upon mutual agreement with the Owner on the adjoining property it may be removed. If preserved, tree branch or roots encountered during the development may be lightly pruned by qualified personnel. The proposed fencing and recommended tree removals can be seen on drawing ARB-2 and ARB-3 in Appendix B. The Tree Preservation Notes and fence installation details can be seen in Drawing D-1 in Appendix B. We recommend that Tree No. 22 be monitored post-construction if this tree is to be retained. 6.2 Summary and Recommendations In summary, as a result of the proposed residential development which is expected to require significant grading changes along its west and south boundaries to accommodate the development, twenty-three (23) trees were inventoried of which twenty-two (22) are recommended for removal. One tree is recommended to be retained/protected that appears to be on or close to the lot boundary. The following are recommendations made to ensure the existing tree identified above along with identified offsite trees whose canopy crosses over onto the site, are protected during the development works:

1. Preservation and protection of inventoried tree on the subject site is set out in the Tree Inventory Table (Appendix C) and drawings ARB-2 and ARB-3 in accordance with Tree Preservation measures established in Drawing D-1, Appendix B;

2. Removal of inventoried trees on the subject site in accordance with in the Tree Inventory Table (Appendix C) to accommodate the proposed development;

3. Provide tree preservation fencing at the dripline of Tree No. 22 and the canopies of off-site trees

which represents the tree preservation zone. Where tree preservation fencing cannot be

established at the dripline, the tree preservation fence should be installed as far as practical from

the trunk. Qualified personnel shall be on site during the erection of the tree preservation fencing

for guidance;

4. No equipment storage or refueling is to take place within the tree preservation zone as established

by the preservation fencing;

5. Tree preservation fencing is to remain in place for the duration of the construction until all equipment

has been removed from the site;


6. Existing tree branching that interferes with the development works may be lightly pruned by

qualified personnel;

7. For other preservation methods, please refer to the Tree Preservation Notes on drawing D-1 in

Appendix B.

With the recommendations above, this Report is intended show the extent of the preservation and removal of existing trees on the site.


Arborist’s Declaration It is the policy of Landmark Environmental Group Ltd to attach the following clause regarding the limitations: The Consulting Arborist’s visual assessment and recommendations, made in this Report, have been completed based on accepted arboricultural practices and represents a fair and accurate assessment of the number, type, size and condition of trees on the subject property. Such visual assessments of all tree components could include scars, bark damage, external decay, insect infestations, discoloured foliage, crown dieback, an excessive degree of lean from the vertical and above-ground root defects. In addition, environmental conditions, which could affect overall health of the trees such as damaging maintenance practices, have also been taken into consideration where appropriate. However, no tree was dissected, cored or rooting systems assessed through excavation. I hereby certify that I, James (Jim) Hosick have:

• Personally performed a visual inspection of the trees and property referred to in this letter report and have stated my findings accurately in accordance with accepted arboricultural practices without personal interest or bias;

• No current or prospective interest in the property that is the subject of this Report and have no personal interest or bias with respect to the parties involved;

• That my analysis, opinions and conclusions stated are my own and based on commonly accepted arboricultural practices;

• That my compensation is not contingent on the reporting of a predetermined conclusion that favours the client; and

• That I am a member in good standing with the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA), the American Association of Consulting Arborists (ASCA) and the Ontario Association of Landscape Architects (OALA).

I trust the above-noted recommendations are of assistance. If there are any questions regarding the above-noted 481 Yonge Street Residential Development, Barrie Tree Inventory, Analysis, Preservation Report please do not hesitate to contact our Firm at (705) 796-1122. Reviewed by, Prepared by,

Jim Hosick, MSc, OALA, RPP Jared Grice BLA, Landscape Architect-Principal, Landscape Architect Intern, OALA Associate

ISA Certified Arborist No. 1098-A Landmark Environmental Group Ltd. Member, American Association of Consulting Arborists MNR Butternut Health Assessor # 451 Landmark Environmental Group Ltd


Appendix A: Conceptual Grading Plan of Subject Site (PEL)


Appendix B: Tree Inventory, Preservation, Detail (ARB-1, ARB-2, ARB-3, D-1)


Tree Inventory Overlay Arbor Plan (ARB-2)


Tree Inventory Arbor Plan (ARB-3 B & W)


Tree Planting & Preservation Details (D-1)


Appendix C: Tree Inventory and Assessment Table


Appendix D: Selected Site Photos

Photo A: Photo looking north-west along Yonge St. at Tree Nos. 1-3, close to municipal ROW/widening.

Photo B: Photo looking north along Yonge St at Tree Nos. 5-12 at the bottom of the existing slope.


Photo C: Photo looking east showing Tree Nos. 14, 16-20 along the south lot line.

Photo D: Photo looking west along the south lot line showing Tree No. 14 adjacent to the swale/parking lot.


Photo E: Photo looking north along existing east property line.

Photo F: Photo looking west toward Yonge St showing perimeter trees along south and west.

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