Councillor hoping ‘public tree fund’ idea takes root at city hall

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/02/2024 (903 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The city may soon explore a “public tree fund,” which would charge developers a fee to raise money for planting.

A new motion calls for the city to study adding a potential fee to new homes to support the fund that would cover the cost of trees planted on public land in the same area.

“It’s a concern in my ward… Glenwood has had years and years of concern about loss of green space and loss of trees,” said Coun. Brian Mayes, who raised the motion.

Mayes (St. Vital) noted residents have complained that frequent infill builds have contributed to a notable loss of trees and green space in that neighbourhood.

“I can’t fault the residents (for) trying to preserve trees in their neighbourhood, and this is another attempt to do that,” he said.

Ray Hesslein, chairman of the Glenwood Neighbourhood Association planning committee, said the goal is to replace more of the trees lost due to development in and beyond Glenwood, especially since the city hopes to ramp up housing construction in the near future.

“We had lost a lot of trees in a (formerly) highly treed neighbourhood… and we were trying to find a way, as best we can with public trees, to replace the canopy,” said Hesslein.

While the motion does not suggest an exact fee to impose, Hesslein believes $1 per square foot of each home built would be reasonable, based on the building’s footprint, as well as parking and driveway space. The money could then be spent on planting more trees on public boulevards.

The tree fund motion will be considered by the Riel Community Committee on Thursday. If approved, council’s property and development committee will be asked to order a report on the idea.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

X : @joyanne_pursaga