GENERAL COMMITTEE - COMMUNITY SERVICES & ENVIRONMENT
	TO:	Mayor and Members of Council
	FROM:	Paul Ingham, General Manager, Operations
	PREPARED BY:	Mark Ingwersen, Manager, Parks Maintenance
	DATE OF MEETING:	January 9^th, 2006
	SUBJECT:	Markham BIA - Main Street Tree Planting on Private Property

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the staff report entitled ‘Markham BIA - Main Street Tree Planting on Private Property’, dated December 7^th, 2005, be received;

AND THAT the Markham BIA be granted approval to proceed with the presentation of offers to property owners to plant a tree on private property at approximately 16 front yard locations on Main Street Markham;

AND THAT a one-time grant in the amount of $5,000 be approved to the Markham BIA and funded from the 2005 Capital Account # 059-5350-6770-005 for Main Street Markham improvements;

AND THAT any uncommitted funds from this one-time grant should be returned to the Town upon completion of the project;

AND THAT the private property owners will be responsible for all subsequent maintenance and replacement of these trees.

PURPOSE:

To assist the Markham BIA with the implementation of a tree planting project on Main Street Markham on private property as requested by the Main Street Committee and in keeping with the Main Street Streetscape Guidelines.

BACKGROUND:

The Main Street Committee and their Main Street Markham Streetscape Guidelines of April 2001 states on page 10 “Owners of properties abutting Main St. should be encouraged to plant trees on their lands. As conditions are often less severe in these locations, trees have a better chance of survival and will contribute positively to the overall ambiance of the street. The establishment of a grant program should be considered as a means to accomplishing this goal.”

OPTIONS/DISCUSSION:

Upon approval, the Markham BIA will be delivering a letter (Attachment “A”) to property owners at up to 16 locations on Markham Main Street where Operations Department staff feel there’s an opportunity to place a tree on private property, fronting on the Markham Main Street, that will visually enhance the street.

The Operations Department has $34,250 remaining of the $50,000 included in the 2005 Capital Budget dedicated to various projects on Main Street Markham however there is no Council authorization to use these funds on private property. In order to implement this project Operations Department staff would meet with representatives of both the Markham BIA and Main Street Committee to review suitable locations to place trees on private property. The Markham BIA would then notify the property owners at the locations identified in Attachment “B”; obtain agreement to participate in the program; plant the trees in accordance with the Main Street Guidelines at a cost of approximately $300 each.

Although there would not be a cost to the property owner for the initial supply and installation of the tree, the property owner would be responsible for all subsequent maintenance and replacement costs.

FINANCAL CONSIDERATIONS:

A one-time grant in the amount of $5,000 for tree planting be made available to the Markham BIA. The funding for the proposed grant to be provided from the 2005 Capital Account #059-5350-6770-005 for Main Street Markham Improvement Projects. Any uncommitted funds for this grant will be returned to the Town upon completion of the project.

BUSINESS UNITS CONSULTED AND AFFECTED:

The Legal Department was consulted and their comments are incorporated into this report.

ATTACHMENTS:

Attachment ‘A’ – Letter to Property Owner

Attachment ‘B’ – Detailed List and Location Map for Proposed Tree Planting

Paul Ingham, General Manager, Operations	Peter Loukes, P. Eng. Director, Operations
Jim Sales, Commissioner of Community & Fire Services

Q:\Commission Share\Operations and Asset Management\Reports\2006\Operations\Parks\Main Street Markham Tree Planting - Private Property.doc

ATTACHMENT ‘A’

Dear Property Owner,

As part of the Markham Main Street guidelines, approved by the Town of Markham in April 2001, a suggestion was made that the planting of trees on suitable private properties would provide additional tree coverage and enhance the overall appearance of the Main Street. The Markham BIA has determined that there is an opportunity to place a tree on your property at the location marked by an orange circle on your front lawn. The Markham BIA will supply and install a 70mm tree of an appropriate species at this location free of charge. However, all future maintenance or replacement of this tree will be the responsibility of the property owner.

If you wish to participate in this program, please sign the bottom of this form and

Mail it to:

Markham BIA

132 Robinson Street

Markham, ON, L3P 5H5

Or fax it to the attention of the Markham BIA at 905-472-8530.

Sincerely

Dr. Morley Lem

Chair, Markham Village BIA

I am interested in participating in this program.

_________________________________ _____________________________

Signature Date

ATTACHMENT ‘B’

Address	Name	# of Trees	Comments
11 Thomson Court	Thomson Apartments	1
12 Main Street North	Canadian Centre for Integrative Medicine	1
16 Main Street North	Walking Mobility Clinic	1
25 Main Street North	Canada Post	2
32 Main Street North	St. Andrew’s Church	2
39 Main Street North	Al Dente Restaurant	1
43 Main Street North	My Travel	1
43 Main Street North	Royal Bank	1
46 Main Street North	Vacant - Private	1	South of Falco Restaurant (#48)
5 Main Street North	Petro Canada	1
52 Main Street North	Law Offices	2
79 Main Street North	Classic Wood Windows	1
8 Main Street North	Main & Markham Investments	1