What happened at Council on Nov 3, and what’s next

Thank you to all 390+ of you. Here’s what happened.

Logan spoke at the hearing on our behalf and presented this petition. He was the only speaker opposed. Council approved both bylaws 13–0.

What your support changed

The numbers. Council asked the Administration to explain why the school-land figures didn’t match. Administration said the existing plan likely contains an error. Councillor Elliott moved an amendment to correct the wording, and it passed 13–0. The overall loss of park and school land is 1.2 hectares.

The questions got asked. Councillors asked about the tree assessment, the nesting season, the school consultation and replanting.

Commitments. Councillor Elliott said he will keep working with our community on replanting. The Mayor said what happened is “really frustrating,” and encouraged the developer to help support the school’s green space.

What we learned

They said 95% of the trees were on private land. The City says the tree line wasn’t protected in any plan, even though its own report says that strip was “originally designated to preserve a tree stand.” 

The City says its assessment of the trees on City land is notes and spreadsheets, not a formal report. Our Access to Information request is in, and we’ll share what we get. The "poor condition" finding that is claimed is the reason why this clearing was able to occur without a public tree permit or compensation being required. So we will ensure we follow up on this.

The developer said the trees were removed August 19–24, after the federal nesting date, and that no additional nesting surveys were done. If anyone else also has evidence of nesting birds in this area please send it my way. The exact species spotted in this area is key information.

The school board was contacted over the summer, but the principal wasn’t told until September, after the trees were gone. The grade 9 students at the school are also currently fundraising to replace the trees on their side of the property.

What’s next

We’re asking the developer team and Councillor Elliott to meet with us about native trees and shrubs along the new path between the school and the development. We will also be asking for support for the students currently fundraising to replace the trees.

We’re waiting for the Access to Information records to validate the poor condition finding.

Council is expected to discuss a private tree protection bylaw in the new year. That’s the change that would stop this from happening to other neighbourhoods. When it comes up, we will ask you to write in.

Please keep sharing. The more people who signed, the harder this is to ignore.