From the Arborist’s Report — the site now
From the Arborist’s Report — the proposed development
Media release from No Clearcuts Kingston - April 23, 2024
Barriefield Village Faces Major Tree Loss
Kingston, ON - No Clearcuts Kingston (NCK) has learned that yet another local community is facing the loss of valuable mature trees.
A tree permit has been issued for 411 Wellington Street in Barriefield, formerly the JE Horton public school, which allows the developer, Cityflats, to commence work on site. This involves marking trees for removal, site investigation by an ecologist as per the Migratory Birds Act, and providing tree protection. Tree removals may start this week, possibly Wednesday.
This work is being undertaken as part of the Barriefield Highlands subdivision approved by Council in June, 2023.
The tree permit covers 63 trees on the property of which only 2 are to be preserved. The marked trees include the entire row of trees along Wellington Street. The new subdivision includes the provision of 47 new trees.
Residents of the village were taken aback this week to see that nearly every significant tree on the property has been marked with a large and ominous “X” with orange, fluorescent paint. An ornithologist who was there conducting a bird nest survey explained that the marked trees are to be cut down this Wednesday, April 24.
“This is about the imminent removal of nearly all trees within the Barriefield Highlands development,” said Christine Sypnowich, President of the Barriefield Village Association. “The loss of so many mature trees, with plantings that mean the net number is lower, not higher, than what was there originally, hardly seems in keeping with Kingston’s claims to sustainability.”
It is well known that old growth trees play a much more significant role for the environment than newly planted trees - flood and erosion protection, cooling temperatures – which help to stave off the climate crisis.
Community members accept that inevitably many of the trees will have to go as services, roads, and houses are built. However, the wholesale cutting of all trees on this site in the Heritage District, before any lot development has begun, seems contrary to the spirit of the development and contrary to heritage conservation principles.
The developers’ own "SCHEDULE “B”, PLANS & SPECIFICATIONS, BARRIEFIELD HIGHLANDS - HOUSE BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS” under the heading "EXTERIOR FINISHES” states:
“6. Fully sodded & graded lot. Developer planted trees as per approved landscaping plan, preservation of existing trees where possible (emphasis added).”
Cutting all existing trees at the outset seems contrary to a requirement of “preservation of existing trees where possible".
The wholesale tree cutting also seems contrary to section 3.3(j) of the Barriefield Heritage Conservation District Plan which states: “j). To maintain and preserve natural features such as the Great Cataraqui River banks, existing trees, treelines, and fencerows within the district”.
“We understand that there has been no consultation with the Barriefield Village Association (BVA) or any residents whose properties are adjacent to the site regarding the removal of trees,” said Kathleen O’Hara, No Clearcuts Kingston. “Local residents want and deserve an immediate halt to any tree-removal plans from the property in order to ensure that proper processes of consultation with the BVA and an investigation by an arborist have all taken place.”
“The City has declared a climate emergency and in other contexts has deferred developments that imperil trees,” said Sypnowich. “The same respect for the environment and balanced development should be shown in Barriefield Village.”
"It is more important than ever to plan housing with a site's natural features in mind", said Kerry Hill, No Clearcuts Kingston. "To destroy many mature trees in order to fit a blank slate subdivision plan is inappropriate in this climate emergency."
For more information, please contact:
Kerry Hill, No Clearcuts Kingston