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Langford council voting on BԪַrestrictiveBԪַ tree bylaw at special meeting Wednesday

Comes after the bylaw was a late addition to MondayBԪַs special council meeting agenda
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Trees that have been limed at the BԪַpagoda houseBԪַ on Goldstream Avenue in Langford. (Bailey Moreton/BԪַ Staff)

Langford is set for a quick turnaround on its new and BԪַvery restrictiveBԪַ tree protection bylaw, with council set to vote on adoption Wednesday (Dec. 21) in a special meeting at 2:30 p.m.

The meeting comes just two days after the bylaw was first brought forward during another special meeting on Monday in a last-minute addition to the agenda.

If approved, the bylaw would come into immediate effect.

BԪַBylaw 2115 prohibits the cutting down of any tree (with a trunk diameter greater than 20 centimeters measured at a height of 1.4 meters above the undisturbed grade of the land), anywhere within Langford,BԪַ reads the bylaw.

There are several exceptions in the bylaw, but also stiff penalties.

BԪַBylaws 2115 and 2116 provide for significant financial penalties,BԪַ reads a statement from the city. BԪַUnder the Offenses Act and as referenced in in Bylaw 2115, Council can seek financial compensation through the courts of a minimum of $5000 per violation (or per tree). Under the Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw, staff can also impose a fine of $1000 per violation (or per tree), which is the maximum allowed under that bylaw.BԪַ

In MondayBԪַs meeting, Langford councillors passed first, second and third readings on the bylaw after it was added to the meeting as an extra item. Initially, the agenda only had one item on it, calling for an in-camera meeting for the BԪַreceipt of advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.BԪַ But prior to the meetingBԪַs 1 p.m. start date, the extra item was added.

BԪַCouncil has heard from the public that too many trees are coming down due to development,BԪַ Langford Mayor Scott Goodmanson said in a statement. BԪַThis bylaw will allow council time to review all options and consult with the public. This bylaw implementation is the direct result of some property owners not adhering to the existing process around tree removal in Langford.

BԪַIt is unfortunate that council had to bring this bylaw into place to respond to multiple property owners who have acted outside of the existing development process that allows for the removal of trees. Those actions resulted in the need for this bylaw to be implemented so that the system is respected and adhered to.BԪַ

Langford resident Wendy Hobbs, who ran for city council in the past municipal election, says she supported the move, adding that council was listening to concerns residents have long had over tree removal.

BԪַI believe that with any council, there are last-minute emergent things that happen and to say they havenBԪַt had a lot of public input is not the truth at all,BԪַ she said. BԪַTheyBԪַve had lots of public input in the previous council about all the trees being cut down. During the election, there were lots of comments about it. They did have a conversation regarding the tree bylaw. So I donBԪַt believe that this is just come out of nowhere.BԪַ

Hobbs hopes the bylaw is enforced properly, saying she has heard from neighbours and friends that it feels like complaints filed under the construction noise bylaw can fall on deaf ears.

READ MORE: Langford adds BԪַvery restrictiveBԪַ tree bylaw to council agenda at last minute

READ MORE: Business spikes for company as new Langford council mulls tree protection bylaw



bailey.moreton@goldstreamgazette.com

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