Agenda Package - City of Vernon

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landscaping. As well, by involving interested community members in the watering
and maintenance of street trees and boulevards adjacent to their properties, the
operational burden of watering street trees would be reduced, permitting staff to
direct their efforts towards other landscape and tree maintenance issues.
6. Heritage and Significant Trees
Heritage and significant trees contribute a great deal to the identity of
neighbourhoods and are highly valued by community members. ln fact, it was the
removal of a large heritage tree at the end of 2006 that initiated the current Tree
Bylaw review, While all trees contribute to the overall health and functioning of a
sustainable community, heritage trees have greater community value and have
been identified by the Environmental Advisory Committee as being of increased
value and worthy of consideration for a distinct protection bylaw. The EAC
recommended that Council initiate a plan to save large Heritage Trees in Vernon
(2007) and consider heritage tree protection as part of the Tree Protection Bylaw
(2ooe).
The EAC has made recommendations to Council over time which have
consistently requested increased tree protection and identification of heritage tree
protection concerns beginning with the January 22, 2007 Regular Meeting of
Council, Public input expressing concerns over tree protection issues has been
received by Council since the fall of 2006. This input was motivated by the removal
of large, significant trees in prominent areas of the city, such as the black walnut
tree formerly in the Best Western Hotel parking lot.
This history, combined with the need to update the existing Tree Protection Bylaw
to reflect current staff titles and changes to associated City regulations and
programs, reinforces the need to address these issues at this time. Additional
pressure is being placed on local governments to address water and air quality
issues and greenhouse gas emission reduction planning, which also contribute to
the need to revise the existing bylaw. At this time and with respect to the history of
heritage tree protection concern in Vernon, it is recommended that heritage tree
protection measures be included in the Tree Protection Bylaw is recommended,
Staff have received requests to designate large, long established trees as Heritage
Trees from private property owners, lt is recommended that a specific Heritage
Tree Bylaw be created by staff in conjunction with the Heritage Advisory
Committee, as well as the consideration of the designation of specific Heritage
Trees.
C. Attachments:
1. Attachment 1 - Kelowna's Urban Forest: Urban Forest Effects (UFORE) Analysis
2. Attachment 2 - American Forests: Setting Urban Tree Canopy Goals
g, Attachment 3 - City of Kelowna NeighbourWoods Frequently Asked Questions
4. Attachment 4 - City of Calgary NeighbourWoods Program
5. Attachment 5 - City of Edmonton Boulevards
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