Postponed Parks & environment

Tree Protection Bylaw update

A $40,000 update of the Town's tree bylaw, with public input. It was moved twice: from 2025 to 2026, then to 2027.

Amount
$40,000
Got
$0
Where it stands
To 2027. Moved twice: 2025 to 2026 by the Eaglecrest funding plan, then to 2027 in Dec 2025 citing Eaglecrest workload (4–1, Skipsey opposed).

What it is

Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725 was adopted in March 2023. It requires a permit to remove protected trees. It protects trees 30 cm or more across at chest height, plus some special species.

This $40,000 project would hire a consultant to consult the public, do research and update the bylaw.

Council scheduled it for 2025. It was then moved twice. On July 23, 2025, the Eaglecrest funding plan moved it to 2026. On December 17, 2025, Council moved it to 2027.

What happened

  1. March 24, 2023Council adopted Tree Protection Bylaw No. 725. It then asked staff for a full public engagement process within a year. Staff later said that work was delayed by zoning changes required by the Province.
  2. October 21, 2024Staff recommended keeping the update in 2028 at $20,000, because of workload. A residents' association asked for it sooner.
  3. November 1, 2024The committee recommended $40,000 in 2025 for a consultant-led update. Councillor Young opposed. Council adopted this on December 11, 2024.
  4. July 23, 2025The Eaglecrest funding plan moved the update from 2025 to 2026 (4–1, Councillor Harrison opposed).
  5. December 17, 2025Council moved it from 2026 to 2027, citing Planning Department workload from Eaglecrest. The vote was 4–1, with Councillor Skipsey opposed.
  6. September 9, 2026Councillor Vander Valk moved a motion on replacement trees and permits. Council referred it to the 2027 strategic planning session.

Why it matters

  • The December 2025 motion said the Planning Department is "at maximum staff capacity for 2026" because of the Eaglecrest lands.
  • Before fall 2024, the update was planned for 2028. Council moved it up to 2025, so 2027 is still earlier than that first plan.
  • The September 2026 motion said the bylaw was not scheduled for review until 2028. The staff comment and budget documents show 2027.
  • The same motion said the Town has not yet planted replacement trees paid for by cash in lieu. That is a councillor's statement, not a staff finding.
  • In 2024, a residents' association told Council that the bylaw does not apply to Town-owned land.

Sources

Last checked September 18, 2026. Report a mistake.