Agenda Package - City of Vernon

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ln addition to these Council resolutions, the Environmental Advisory Committee sent
the following recommendations to Council from their meeting of September 16, 2009,
which were deferred:
B. Rationale:
THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee recommends Council direct staff to
request a Tree Cuttíng Permit application be completed for significant trees.that
w¡it be impacted by rédevelopment, on single and two family residential private
properties, and to ãevetop materials fo assr'sf the propefty owner with information
'in 'replanting replacement trees on their propefty following completion of
construction.
THAT the Environmental Advisory Committee recommends Council advise staff
to remove the exemption clause in the current Tree Protection Bylaw #4152 and
ínctude Rl, R2, R3 and R4 zoned residential single and two family properties'
1. Urban Trees and Urban Forests
The benefit of trees in cities has been documented as part of many local
government initiatives and programs including community planning, economic
ðevelopment, infrastructure lifecycle analysis, ecosystem protection and air quality
improvement programming. ln all cases, the implementation of a city tree planting
and protection iñitiative ñas had an operational cost but has demonstrated a
significant return on that investment. Whether initiated to improve air and
stormwater quality, increase business retention and shopper visit length, attract
tourism, decrease summer heat in walking areas or address greenhouse gas
emissions due to heating and cooling of buildings, urban trees provide many
invaluable services and contribute to a more attractive, livable and sustainable
community.
Cities in arid regions of North America have successfully introduced. uld
implemented tree planting and protection programs, These programs typically
include a number of initialives aimed to address the challenges associated with
urban forest management. The acquisition and planting of trees, th.eir
maintenance, pruning and raking leaves all require resources, While all cities
undeftake the mainteñance of trees on public lands, few limit participation in these
efforts to operations and parks staff alone. Community participation and
responsibility for contributing to the maintenance of these important assets is
crucial in the establishmenf of tree canopy cover, attractive streetscapes and
viable urban forest management.
Communities in Bloom (CiB) is a Canadian non-profit organization committed to
fostering civic pride, environmental responsibility and beautification through
commuñity involvement and the challenge of a national program. CiB includes
Urban Foiestry in their judging process, including efforts made by the municipality,
businesses, institutions, añd residents with regards to written policies, by-laws,
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