Lincolnville Layover and GO Station Improvements IT-2017-EC-010: Environmental Project Report Addendum

Appendix A7: Tree Inventory

Lincolnville Layover and GO Station Improvements IT-2017-EC-010: Tree Inventory Plan

October 9, 2018 File: 160950996

Prepared for: Metrolinx 20 Bay Street, 6th Floor Toronto, ON M5J 2W3

Prepared by: Stantec Consulting Ltd. 100-300 Hagey Boulevard Waterloo, ON N2L 0A4

Sign-off Sheet

This document entitled Lincolnville Layover and Go Station Improvements LT-2017-EC-010: Tree Inventory Plan was prepared by Stantec Consulting Ltd. (“Stantec”) for the account of Metrolinx (the “Client”), in support of an Environmental Assessment at 12902 and 12958 Tenth Line Whitchurch-Stouffville (the “Project”). In connection thereto, this document may be reviewed and used by the provincial and municipal government agencies participating in the permitting process in the normal course of their duties. Except as set forth in the previous sentence, any reliance on this document by any third party for any other purpose is strictly prohibited. The material in it reflects Stantec’s professional judgment in light of the scope, schedule and other limitations stated in the document and in the contract between Stantec and the Client. The opinions in the document are based on conditions and information existing at the time the document was published and do not take into account any subsequent changes. In preparing the document, Stantec did not verify information supplied to it by others. Any unauthorized use which a third party makes of this document is the responsibility of such third party. Such third party agrees that Stantec shall not be responsible for costs or damages of any kind, if any, suffered by it or any other third party as a result of decisions made or actions taken based on unauthorized use of this document.

Prepared by

(signature)

Landon Black, OALA Landscape Architect, ISA Certified Arborist ON-1876A

Reviewed by

(signature)

Jennifer Koskinen, HBESfcon, ISA ISA Certified Arborist ON-1234A

Lincolnville Layover and GO Station Improvements IT-2017-EC-010: Tree Inventory Plan

Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................... 1.1 1.1 EXISTING SITE ................................................................................................. 1.1 1.2 PURPOSE OF REPORT ................................................................................... 1.1

2.0 METHODOLOGY .............................................................................................. 2.1 2.1 SITE REVIEW ................................................................................................... 2.1 2.2 JURISDICTIONAL SCAN .................................................................................. 2.1

2.2.1 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority ...................................... 2.1 2.2.2 Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville .......................................................... 2.1 2.2.3 Regional Municipality of York ............................................................ 2.2 2.2.4 Canadian Food Inspection Agency .................................................... 2.2

2.3 REPORT ........................................................................................................... 2.2

3.0 OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS ............................................... 3.1 3.1 OBSERVATIONS .............................................................................................. 3.1

3.1.1 Tree Observations ............................................................................. 3.1 3.2 RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................................... 3.3

3.2.1 Onsite Tree Impacts .......................................................................... 3.3 3.2.2 Offsite Tree Impacts .......................................................................... 3.3 3.2.3 Regulatory Requirements .................................................................. 3.3 3.2.4 Tree Compensation Requirements .................................................... 3.3

4.0 DISCLAIMER .................................................................................................... 4.1

LIST OF APPENDICES

APPENDIX A: TREE INVENTORY PLAN - DRAWINGS L-900 – L-905

Lincolnville Layover and Go Station Improvements LT-2017-EC-010: Tree Inventory Plan

Introduction October 9, 2018

1.1

1.0 INTRODUCTION This 2018 Tree Inventory Plan addresses lands located on 12958 and 12902 Tenth Line, Whitchurch-Stouffville Ontario. The lands are proposed for the development of a new GO Station by Metrolinx. The proposed new facility will replace the existing Lincolnville GO Station located directly north of the proposed location. At the present, the property proposed for development contains two residential properties. Two residences are located on the subject property, both of which became vacant as of May 31, 2018. The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville Official Plan designates this property as a ‘rural area’, and a ‘greenland area’. This property is zoned as ‘agriculture’ as per schedule 48 of the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville 2017 zoning schedule.

1.1 EXISTING SITE

The project site, which is located in the Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville, Regional Municipality of York, is an irregularly-shaped parcel. The site includes two properties; 12958 and 12902 10th Line. The north property 12958 was previously a residential property that is currently vacant, and the north property 12902 was a former garden centre and residence. The project site is bordered by Bethesda Sideroad to the north, 10th Line to the east, the Stouffville rail corridor to the west, and private land to the south.

The subject property consists of meadow and includes a wetland and pond area. Existing structures remain on the property, and includes two houses, and approximately 20 abandoned buildings of green houses and sheds. The subject property contains extensive refuse areas, primarily old machines/equipment, barrels, wood, crates, skids and concrete blocks scattered through the meadow areas.

During preliminary planning activities, it was determined that a small, unevaluated wetland was existing onsite. As a larger wetland, the Stouffville Wetland Complex, lies to the southwest of the project site, Metrolinx has engaged both the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) to evaluate the extent and significance of the wetland.

1.2 PURPOSE OF REPORT

The Tree Inventory Plan has been developed to provide an inventory of existing trees, identify potential impacts to trees based on preliminary site design concepts, and provide recommendations to mitigate the impact to healthy trees during the detailed design process. This scope of work included a jurisdictional scan for relevant permit and regulatory requirements regarding any trees that could potentially be impacted by the proposed development.

Lincolnville Layover and Go Station Improvements LT-2017-EC-010: Tree Inventory Plan

Methodology October 9, 2018

2.1

2.0 METHODOLOGY

2.1 SITE REVIEW

The initial tree inventory and assessment was conducted by Jennifer Koskinen (HBESfcon, ISA Certified Arborist) and Landon Black (OALA, ISA Certified Arborist), on July 17th 2018. A second tree inventory and assessment was conducted by Landon Black (OALA, ISA Certified Arborist) and Stephanie Lapointe (BLA), on August 2nd 2018.

The site assessment included a review of trees within the proposed limits of construction and trees located on adjacent property that could potentially be impacted by the design. There were minimal shrubs onsite, and shrubs predominately were isolated adjacent to the rail right-of-way. The project site was also reviewed for any rare or endangered tree species that would require additional protection and review.

During the detailed inventory, trees were tagged with a numbered steel tree tag. Tree species, diameter at breast height (DBH) in centimetres, health condition, and dripline radius in metres were recorded for each tree.

Vegetation Units were utilized for areas with woody vegetation where existing species and sizes were relatively homogenous throughout the unit. A general inventory was conducted for these units which included species present, approximate size, quantities, drip line and overall condition.

The data was compiled into tables available in Appendix ‘A’, drawings L-904 and L-905. Where indicated on the plan, the location of each tree was identified by an Ontario Land Surveyor (OLS). Where trees were not surveyed by an OLS, locations of trees were approximated using high-resolution aerial imagery and field diagrams. The locations of the inventoried trees are indicated on the Tree Inventory Plan drawings, attached in Appendix ‘A’.

2.2 JURISDICTIONAL SCAN

2.2.1 Toronto and Region Conservation Authority

The subject property is entirely outside of the TRCA regulated area. As such, no TRCA regulatory requirements or permitting processes are applicable to the project.

2.2.2 Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

The Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville has no by-laws which restrict the removal or injury of trees on private property.

Lincolnville Layover and Go Station Improvements LT-2017-EC-010: Tree Inventory Plan

Methodology October 9, 2018

2.2

2.2.3 Regional Municipality of York

The York Region Street Tree and Forest Preservation Guidelines (2016) extends protection to trees growing on Region owned lands, including rights-of-way. These guidelines do not apply to the project site as no Regional roads or lands are located adjacent to the site.

2.2.4 Canadian Food Inspection Agency

Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) Directive D-03-08 regulates the transport of ash (Fraxinus genus) products through phytosanitary requirements. These requirements would be triggered if any ash tree and any part thereof that could harbor or sustain the life cycle of the emerald ash borer.

2.3 REPORT

The tree inventory data was assessed in conjunction with the Stantec project team developing the preliminary design concepts. Recommendations provided in this report are based on the design concept intent, and information gathered in the tree inventory.

Lincolnville Layover and Go Station Improvements LT-2017-EC-010: Tree Inventory Plan

Observations and Recommendations October 9, 2018

3.1

3.0 OBSERVATIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

3.1 OBSERVATIONS

3.1.1 Tree Observations

The project site includes naturally occurring trees in wetland and fencerow habitats, planted windrows and landscaping around the residences, and trees that were planted for nursery stock. The extents of the wetland were staked and surveyed by Stantec environmental staff and the MNRF.

None of the species identified on site are listed as species at risk (SAR) by the MNRF or are regulated under the Invasive Species Act. No butternut trees were inventoried on site or adjacent to the site. Tree species included in the detailed inventory are:

Family Genus species (common name) Betulaceae Betula papyrifera (paper birch)

**Betula pendula (silver birch) Cupressaceae Thuja occidentalis (eastern white cedar) Fabaceae Gleditsia triacanthos var. imermis (thornless honey locust) Moraceae **Morus alba (white mulberry) Oleaceae Fraxinus pennsylvanica (green ash) Pinaceae *Picea abies (Norway spruce)

*Picea pungens var. glauca (Colorado blue spruce) *Pinus nigra (Austrian pine) **Pinus sylvestris (Scots pine)

Rosaceae Malus sp. (cultivated apple) Prunus sp. (cultivated cherry) Pyrus sp. (cultivated pear)

Salicaceae Populus deltoides ssp. deltoides (eastern cottonwood) Populus tremuloides (trembling aspen)

Sapindaceae ***Acer negundo (Manitoba maple) **Acer platanoides (Norway maple) **Acer platanoides ‘Crimson King’ (Crimson King Norway maple) Acer rubrum (red maple)

Lincolnville Layover and Go Station Improvements LT-2017-EC-010: Tree Inventory Plan

Observations and Recommendations October 9, 2018

3.2

Family Genus species (common name) Acer saccharum (sugar maple)

Ulmaceae Ulmus americana (white elm) * non-native species

** non-native species with demonstrated invasive tendencies *** Ontario native species with demonstrated invasive tendencies

3.1.1.1 Vegetation Units

Unit 1

Unit 1 is a dense treed area which includes predominantly Scots pine that have been densely planted and have not been thinned. The canopy is dense and, as a result, the understory is limited. This unit is located on Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville lands adjacent to the north property limit of the project site.

Units 2 & 3

Units 2 and 3 were originally planted as nursery stock for production and have overgrown their original spacing to their current state as densely planted cedar hedge rows. The individual trees range in size from less than 10cm DBH to roughly 15cm DBH. Overplanting in both rows has resulted in many trees being suppressed and some having been completely shaded out.

3.1.1.2 Property 12958 (North Property)

Trees tagged #101 through #110 and #132 through 143 inclusive are located on Municipal Property No. 12958. These trees are predominantly cultural landscape, fruit tree and visual screen plantings. There is a small grouping of naturalized trees along the north edge of the property.

3.1.1.3 Property 12902 (South Property)

The remainder of trees tagged, #133 to #381 are growing on Municipal Property No. 12902. This site was formerly a garden centre and nursery so there are remnant liner plantings as well as cultural landscape and windbreak type plantings. The wetland previously noted in this report is located within this property as well with its associated wetland plant community. There is a large White Elm located adjacent to the south property limit. Tree #349, has a DBH of 136cm, and was considered in good condition.

Lincolnville Layover and Go Station Improvements LT-2017-EC-010: Tree Inventory Plan

Observations and Recommendations October 9, 2018

3.3

3.2 RECOMMENDATIONS

The Lincolnville GO Station project will be an extensive station, which will necessitate maximal use of the project site. As such many of the trees in the interior of the site will likely require removal. The following recommendations should be considered to mitigate impacts and guide compensation.

3.2.1 Onsite Tree Impacts

1. Avoid impacts to trees growing from within the wetland protection buffer area as delineated in conjunction with the MNRF.

2. Review grading with the project Arborist during detailed design to mitigate negative impacts to trees along the perimeter of the site where feasible, particularly tree #349. Retaining trees like #349, White Elm, will provide aesthetics to the future GO station, and maintain the cultural rural setting of this area.

3.2.2 Offsite Tree Impacts

3. Where impacts are possible to offsite trees, landowner permissions should be obtained, and the trees should be: a. Surveyed for exact location through topographic or legal survey; b. Assessed by a Certified Arborist; and c. The above information be added into a revised version of this report.

3.2.3 Regulatory Requirements

4. In any ash (Fraxinus genus) trees or any part thereof are to be removed from the site, it is recommended that the phytosanitary requirements described in CFIA Directive D-03-08 are followed in full.

3.2.4 Tree Compensation Requirements

As outlined in Section 2.2, there are no regulatory or permitting requirements stipulating the process for removals on the subject site. Upon completion of detailed design, tree removal quantities will be calculated, and compensation will be determined based on industry best practices. Metrolinx will continue to work with municipalities and private land owners to provide fair compensation

Lincolnville Layover and Go Station Improvements LT-2017-EC-010: Tree Inventory Plan

Disclaimer October 9, 2018

4.1

4.0 DISCLAIMER The assessment of the trees presented within this report has been made using accepted arboricultural techniques. These include a visual examination of the above-ground parts of each tree for structural defects, scars, external indications of decay, evidence of insect presence, discoloured foliage, the general condition of the trees and the surrounding site, as well as the proximity of property and people. None of the trees examined were dissected, cored, probed, or climbed, and detailed root crown examinations involving excavation were not undertaken.

Notwithstanding the recommendations and conclusions made in this report, it must be realized that trees are living organisms and their health and vigour is constantly changing. They are not immune to changes in site conditions or seasonal variations in the weather.

While reasonable efforts have been made to verify that the trees recommended for retention are healthy, no guarantees are offered or implied, that these trees or any part of them will remain standing. It is both professionally and practically impossible to predict with absolute certainty the behavior of any single tree or group of trees in all circumstances. Inevitably, a standing tree will always pose some risk. Most trees have the potential for failure if provided with the necessary combinations of stresses and elements. This risk can only be eliminated if the tree is removed.

Reasonable efforts have been made to verify that this assessment is reasonably accurate. The trees should be reassessed periodically. The assessment presented in this report is valid at the time of inspection.

LINCOLNVILLE LAYOVER AND GO STATION IMPROVEMENTS LT-2017-EC-010: TREE INVENTORY PLAN

APPENDIX A: TREE INVENTORY PLAN -

DRAWINGS L-900 – L-905

GREEN HOUSES

BR

IC

K B

UILD

IN

G

MU

N. N

o. 12902

BR

IC

K B

UILD

IN

G

M

UN

. N

o. 12958

UNIT 1

UNIT 2

UNIT 3

Stantec Consulting Ltd.

OF 6

N

Legend

Existing Deciduous Tree

Existing Coniferous Tree

Tree Identification Tag (Surveyed Location)

Existing Vegetation Unit

Existing Grade

Proposed Grade

Dead Standing Tree

0000

LANDON BLACK

0N-1876A

Tree Identification Tag (Non - surveyed Location)0000*

1

MATCHLINE

(SEE DWG. NO. L-901)

(SEE DWG. NO. #L-902)

MATCHLINE

MATCHLINE

(SEE DWG. NO. # L-902)

(SEE DWG. NO. # L-903)

MATCHLINE

L-900

BR

IC

K B

UILD

IN

G

M

UN

. N

o. 12958

105

106

107

108

109

110

111

112

113

114

115

116

117

118

119

120

121

122

123

124

125

126

132

133

134

135

139

140

141

142

143*

144

145

146

101*102*

103*

104*

127*

128*129*130*131*

137

138

136

328*

329*

330*

331*

UNIT 1

147*

Stantec Consulting Ltd.

OF 6

N

Legend

Existing Deciduous Tree

Existing Coniferous Tree

Tree Identification Tag (Surveyed Location)

Existing Vegetation Unit

Existing Grade

Proposed Grade

Dead Standing Tree

0000

LANDON BLACK

0N-1876A

Tree Identification Tag (Non - surveyed Location)0000*

(SEE DWG. NO.L-902)

MATCHLINE

2

L-901

GREEN HOUSES

179

180

181*

182*

183*

332*

333*

334*

335*

336*

337*

338*

339*

340

341

342

343

344

327*

184*

178*

Stantec Consulting Ltd.

OF 6

N

Legend

Existing Deciduous Tree

Existing Coniferous Tree

Tree Identification Tag (Surveyed Location)

Existing Vegetation Unit

Existing Grade

Proposed Grade

Dead Standing Tree

0000

LANDON BLACK

0N-1876A

Tree Identification Tag (Non - surveyed Location)0000*

3

L-902

MATCHLINE

(SEE DWG. NO. # L-901)

(SEE DWG. NO. # L-903)

MATCHLINE

BR

IC

K B

UILD

IN

G

MU

N. N

o. 12902

348*

350

349

345

346

347*

353

352

351

354*

355

356

357

358

359

360

369

381

380

379

378

377376

375

373

372

370

371*

374*

367*

366*

368*

361*

362*

363*

364*

365*

UNIT 2

UNIT 3

Stantec Consulting Ltd.

OF 6

N

Legend

Existing Deciduous Tree

Existing Coniferous Tree

Tree Identification Tag (Surveyed Location)

Existing Vegetation Unit

Existing Grade

Proposed Grade

Dead Standing Tree

0000

LANDON BLACK

0N-1876A

Tree Identification Tag (Non - surveyed Location)0000*

4

L-903

MATCHLINE

(SEE DWG. NO. # L-903)

Stantec Consulting Ltd.

OF 6

N

Legend

Existing Deciduous Tree

Existing Coniferous Tree

Tree Identification Tag (Surveyed Location)

Existing Vegetation Unit

Existing Grade

Proposed Grade

Dead Standing Tree

0000

LANDON BLACK

0N-1876A

Tree Identification Tag (Non - surveyed Location)0000*

5

L-904

Stantec Consulting Ltd.

OF 6

N

Legend

Existing Deciduous Tree

Existing Coniferous Tree

Tree Identification Tag (Surveyed Location)

Existing Vegetation Unit

Existing Grade

Proposed Grade

Dead Standing Tree

0000

LANDON BLACK

0N-1876A

Tree Identification Tag (Non - surveyed Location)0000*

6

L-905