More trees could be protected from the getting the chop if the Town of View Royal goes ahead with plans to make B次元官网网址渜uick changesB次元官网网址� to its tree protection bylaw.

The changes could mean that more trees, including those not currently covered as protected species, are protected when the council is considering development or building permits.

B次元官网网址淲e continue to hear residents vocalize their disappointment with how many trees are coming down for redevelopments,B次元官网网址� said Coun. Alison MacKenzie at a meeting on July 9.

Mackenzie has proposed the changes as a short-term solution whilst the council works on its B次元官网网址榰rban strategyB次元官网网址�, which according to town staff B次元官网网址渨ill protect more treeB次元官网网址�.

B次元官网网址淲e donB次元官网网址檛 have time for that project to be done to make changes to the tree bylaw,B次元官网网址� said Mackenzie. B次元官网网址淚n the interim, weB次元官网网址檙e going to have a number of redevelopment applications, due to new provincial legislation.B次元官网网址�

In agreement, Mayor Sid Tobias said, B次元官网网址淚 think the concern is if we have another development coming in tomorrow and passed and ready to break down, do we have the tools sufficient enough for staff both in planning and development services to execute the will of council to maintain the mature canopy that we have?B次元官网网址�

Coun. Ron Mattson added that trees have become B次元官网网址渇air gameB次元官网网址� in response to the housing shortage, with developers quick to B次元官网网址渃hop downB次元官网网址� trees in the building footprint.

Currently, any tree with a diameter greater than 30 centimetres is protected by the townB次元官网网址檚 bylaw. One B次元官网网址渜uick changeB次元官网网址� suggested by Mackenzie was reducing this requirement, effectively protecting more trees.

The proposal was unanimously supported by other councillors.

Town staff will come back to council in September with proposed B次元官网网址渜uick changesB次元官网网址� to the tree protection bylaw.