Hi everyone!

Welcome to September.  We hope you have had a wonderful summer.  As always, it’s been busy in the Valley over the last couple of months, with lots of tree and development-related issues.

What's happening in the Neighbourhood

38 Plymbridge Crescent
We sent a news blast out earlier to let you know that the owners of 38 Plymbridge Crescent decided to destroy the majestic oak in their backyard.  We are extremely disappointed.  
We also posted our HHTW Newsblast on Nextdoor (an online platform to connect neighbours).  WOW, we were overwhelmed with the outpouring of supportive comments, over 60 people voiced their concerns.  Many agree that too many trees are being destroyed to allow for massive builds and that little or no protection is given to our tree canopy.  We need to stand up, share information and fight back!
Link for Nextdoor



28 Knightswood
Thanks to the neighbours who let us know about the destruction of a healthy, mature Mulberry at the front of this property.  We had spoken with the landscaper just the week before.  He did tell us that the owner felt the tree was messy and wanted to destroy it and he was applying for a permit to do so.  No permit was issued yet the tree was taken down.  Tree enforcement was alerted and a fine will likely be levied. We were told a new tree will be planted in the fall, but the reality is it will not be the size of what was there, nor provide the shade, carbon sink or beauty for some time to come.  

7 Knightswood
We have not forgotten about this property, after all, it was the beginning of HHTW.  If you walk by this house you will notice an unkept lawn, barren of trees and the house which has been empty for month now seems to be rented. The backyard was cleared of all foliage within the TPZ and replaced with gravel and dirt.  This will compact the roots and eventually kill the remaining trees.  The 250-year-old sugar maple has been replaced with weed-infested overgrown grass.  We have spoken with Urban Forestry and the TRCA(Toronto Ravine Conservation Authority).  We hope for some quick resolution to this.    

19 Plymbridge
Another thorn in the side for the neighbours who border this property and for the neighbourhood.  Although the original house was torn down on a long weekend without a permit, as we all know the build is well underway.  The City is pursuing prosecution but "no new information is available to the general public at this time".  We are well aware that no matter what the fine,  the developer will just build it into the price of the property and will likely dance away relatively unscathed.  To add insult to injury, the neighbours have had to endure early morning construction noise even on the weekends, contravening the noise bylaw. We have called 311 and encourage others to do the same.  The build appears to be much too close to the street and much too close to its neighbours, tree destruction has been rampant.  Neighbours and HHTW have pursued all available avenues to report infractions.  We have adhered to proper protocol in all instances and used the City resources to the best of our ability.  This developer is very familiar with the system and has worked every angle, we will continue to monitor closely and report any concerns to the appropriate City departments.

3 Old Yonge
The controversy on this project dates back to 2019.  Once again, it was concerned neighbours who alerted us to the massive hole that looms above the stop sign at Campbell and Old Yonge.  It’s a long story and our back and forth with the City is attached in the link below.  The bottom line is this is a project that we feel should NEVER have been allowed.  It is an iceberg house in a dangerous position with steep slopes surrounding it on 3 sides.  The table land will be completely covered with a 4-story build.  All trees on the tableland have been removed and many of the ones on the steep slope have been damaged or killed.  The lot has questionable stability and neighbours below this and the neighbouring property have had landslides occur because of work being done above on Old Yonge.   We have requested the geotechnical reports from the City and have been informed they are “considering” our application and we should know by the end of September if these files will be released to us.  We will keep you informed but for now, check out this attached link. 


Getting Involved 
The common thread through all of the above is involved and concerned neighbours.  This is the time when we as a neighbourhood have to get involved and take a stand. Remember if you see a tree being taken down of any size:

• Ask for a permit
• If they can’t produce a permit, ask them to stop
• Call 311
• Speak with the homeowner if they are available and tell them they need to have a permit before cutting down a tree
• If cutting continues gather information.  Photos of the tree and the worker's license plates.
• In addition to calling 311, follow up with an email 311@toronto.ca and copy ufce@toronto.ca  and winfield01@rogers.com (Laura Lamarche) include address, photos and any additional details

• They provide shade and beautify your home
• The visual appeal of trees attracts buyers
• Trees are key when a property is appraised and for calculating a home's value  
• Trees can save energy and lower bills in summer and winter
• They mitigate heavy rain and help to prevent flash floods.  This is especially important in Hoggs Hollow which is on a flood plain.
• Maples, oaks and elms are ideal value-enhancing trees.  They are hardy, disease resistant, low maintenance and look great.  Once again it makes you wonder what the owners of 7 Knightswood and 38 Plymbridge were thinking. 

Mature trees can enhance property values by as much as 20%!

Squatters
There are numerous empty houses in the hood, in some cases several within a block.   Some homes are in disrepair and look abandoned, some are well kept but empty.  No matter what their appearance, empty houses harm a neighbourhood.  Vacant homes hollow out a community.  It's ironic -  Hoggs Hollow, let’s not let it happen here!
When houses are empty, there are fewer people to get involved in the YMVA and the neighbourhood activities that bring us together.  There are dark empty houses at night and a feeling of a ghost town starts to take over. Vacant houses mean local business owners have fewer customers and crime is more easily perpetrated.  We also learned from 3 Old Yonge that 2 of the neighbours are rarely in their homes (vacant homes).  When this happens, there are simply no concerned neighbours to get involved with a Committee of Adjustment or TLAB hearing.
Another downside is the ability of squatters to move into these empty homes.  Police were in the Valley just last week to flush squatters out of 2 empty houses.   
Vancouver is a sobering tale of what happens when absentee homeowners take over a neighbourhood.  Although a vacancy tax is coming to Toronto in 2023 it is a mere 1% of the current assessed value. This is unlikely to have a big impact.

Please be vigilant and report any suspected squatters to 911.  
 
Interestingly, the current Premier and Mayor are intent on increasing housing and “build at any cost” seems to be their mantra.  The problem of vacant homes continues relatively unchecked, perhaps they should consider filling the homes we have before building others.

Below are a couple of thought-provoking articles on the subject:

https://financialpost.com/diane-francis/diane-francis-shining-a-light-on-money-laundering-in-canadian-real-estate

https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2017/05/hedge-city-vancouver-chinese-foreign-capital/


Injured animals
We are lucky to live in a natural wonderland, but because of the green spaces that surround us, occasionally we may encounter an injured animal.  Here are 2 good options:

Call 311 and the directory will lead you to wildlife concerns.  We recently called this when a raccoon was showing no fear of humans or dogs and acting strangely over several days.  

Call 416 631 0662 if you find wildlife in distress.  This is a wildlife rescue centre in the near vicinity.  You can also find them online at torontowildlifecentre.com

The Giants of Hoggs Hollow
We wanted to leave you with a happy thought.  This magnificent tree belongs to a family on Doncliff.  They have been incredible stewards of this special tree and lavish care and attention upon it.  It is estimated to be the oldest tree in North York.  It is well over 300 years old and has an 18-foot circumference.  We have lost a number of beautiful, mature trees in the Valley in 2022, this has to stop.  With your help, we can make a difference!