One Richmond resident isn’t happy about the loss of nine oak trees that line Lansdowne Road at No. 3 Road, which are being removed in conjunction with the redevelopment of the property.
A sign appeared on the first tree late last week giving “48 hour notice” that the trees will be removed because they are in “poor condition” and the line of trees “conflict with linear park construction.” The date of removal is June 22 or later.
Don Flintoff said he noticed the sign late last week and was puzzled that what appear to be healthy trees are going to be removed.
The oak trees are located on Lansdowne next to what used to be the community policing building and Richmond Centre for Disability. That lot and three adjacent ones to the north are being developed with an office tower and three residential towers with 365 units – 20 of which will be affordable housing units.
“It’s an area of town that is going to be high-rise – we need these trees,” Flintoff said.
A 10-metre wide linear park will be built where the trees are, and it is part of a pathway linking the Garden City Lands to the Oval. The developer will build the linear park, and then it will be transferred back to city ownership.
According to the city’s acting arborist, the trees have been in poor condition for years and have a viral infection causing the leaves to curl and making them vulnerable to pests and insects. There is no cure for this virus, the arborist clarified.
Furthermore, the trees were planted in poor soil with limited space to grow.
The plan is for the developer to pay $11,700 to compensate for the trees, and double the number will be planted in the city.
“As is standard in such situations, the developer will provide compensation for their removal and be required to plant more trees as part of this process,” explained Clay Adams, spokesperson for the City of Richmond. “This means a greater number will be planted in the city to replace them.”
The new trees, according to the city, will have more space to grow, eliminating issues the existing oak trees have now.
