A recommendations report on a local tree protection bylaw is set for Cumberland’s council meeting today.
The report will be presented to village council, containing recommendations for the proposed bylaw, which was worked on earlier this year.
Senior planner for the village Karin Albert said the report will present two key recommendations:
“One is to require a permit to remove really large trees, larger or equal to 75 cm in diameter. The second component of that bylaw would be to require properties larger than 0.5 hectares in size to get a tree removal permit if they have less than 50 trees per hectare on their property,” said Albert.
“If your property is quite forested you can still remove a certain number of trees without requiring a permit. But, once you hit that 50 piece per hectare density target, then you must apply for a permit to remove any more trees.”
Albert added council adopted the Urban Forest management plan back in 2020. One of the recommendations was to work on the bylaw to help achieve a canopy-covered target for the village.
She said it is also about harnessing the benefits that trees provide for the micro-climate and the health of residents.
“Trees are connected to our mental health. So, greening your environment helps people’s mental health, beautifies the area, reduces flooding and erosion during high rainfall events, and provides habitat for wildlife,” said Albert.
The report is set to be presented to council this afternoon, with the meeting set to start at 5:30.
A link to the livestream can be found on the village’s website.
