NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF ORILLIA
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The City of Orillia and its Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) is requesting input from residents, businesses, builders, and developers on a proposed Tree Preservation Bylaw through an online survey and public meeting.
“The City of Orillia continues to review ways it can manage and preserve the existing tree canopy coverage throughout Orillia to support its protection for future generations,” said Mayor Clarke. “Council wants to hear comments and feedback from stakeholders before making any decisions on the potential new bylaw. We encourage everyone to review the draft by-law and complete the survey.”
Through the draft Tree Preservation By-law, regulations would be updated to apply to all properties, regardless of size. The proposed bylaw contemplates a permit process to remove a healthy tree that has a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 25 cm (10 inches) or greater.
It is proposed that the permit would need to be supported by an assessment by a certified arborist, along with payment of a permit fee. A requirement to plant a replacement tree(s) on the applicant’s property or pay a fee in lieu to the City’s tree program is also being proposed.
The EAC is hosting a virtual public meeting on Wednesday, March 24 at 6 p.m. Anyone wishing to participate to provide comments on the proposed Tree Preservation Bylaw must pre-register and have access to a computer with audio/video capabilities and an internet connection. To register, please email your name and phone number to [email protected] by March 24, 2021 at noon.
The survey is available online at orillia.ca/haveyoursay. Comments can also be sent to EAC via email to [email protected]. The deadline to complete the survey or submit comments is March 31, 2021 at midnight.
“Orillia has thousands of beautiful trees throughout the city, located along streets and trails, in parks, woodlots and on both private and public property. The draft Tree Preservation Bylaw is intended to encourage residents to consider other alternatives before removing large, healthy trees. Healthy tree removal really should be a last resort, and when removal is the only option, it would be great if replacement trees should be planted, either on that same property or elsewhere within the City,” said Michael Williams, EAC Chair.
The survey responses and comments received will be provided to Council this spring to help inform its decision regarding the proposed draft by-law.
To review the draft Tree Preservation By-law in detail and find answers to frequently asked questions, please visit orillia.ca/trees.
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