Local poll respondents aren't in favour of Newmarket's new private tree bylaw, with most preferring to have the ability to remove trees from their property without oversight of the town's bylaw department.
NewmarketToday polling found approximately 62 per cent of respondents did not agree with the town’s bylaw restricting cutting trees on private property. The bylaw introduces a permitting system and fees for private tree removal, but the town will waive fees for dead, dying or hazardous trees.
With the town council passing the bylaw Feb. 7, we asked our readers: Do you agree with the Town of Newmarket's new bylaw to restrict trees from being cut down on private property?
Here are the results:
- No, I understand the importance of protecting trees, but I should be able to cut down trees on my own property when I feel it's necessary — 36 per cent, 434 votes
- Yes, it allows owners to maintain their properties but provides the protection needed to prevent trees from being clear cut for development — 27 per cent, 328 votes
- No, this bylaw is an overreach — the community had simply wanted the town to prevent developers from clear-cutting — 19 per cent, 228 votes.
- Yes and no, I agree some protection is needed, but will they really be able to fairly enforce what's going on in people's backyards? 12 per cent — 144 votes
- No, this is just another cash grab on top of the property taxes I already pay — Seven per cent, 79 votes
The poll ran from Feb. 7 to Feb. 20 and received 1,213 local responses with a 2.79 per cent margin of error.
The most popular response disagreed with the bylaw, with residents wanting to be able to cut trees on their property when they feel it’s needed. Combined, about 62 per cent of voters said they do not agree with the bylaw, with 27 per cent expressing support and 12 per cent expressing mixed feelings.
Major John Taylor said he is not shocked at some negative response to the new rules.
“Part of it is people are feeling a little over-governed right now, it's the the time and experience we’re living through. But I also feel people see the importance of acting collectively,” Taylor said.
The bylaw has been in the works for more than a year, with advocates long calling for solutions to address widespread removal and clear cutting of private trees, sometimes done in advance of a development permit process. Many municipalities in York Region and across the GTA have similar rules, and Newmarket decided to follow suit as part of its efforts to improve tree canopy cover.
Taylor said almost everyone values what trees provide, and preserving and growing tree canopy cover is an important step to help address climate change.
“Fees and processes aren’t something we go looking for, but we need to take steps, serious steps, in relation to some environmental challenges that lie in front of us,” Taylor said.
Town council implemented several changes to the bylaw in a bid to blunt the impact, including removing planned fees for dead or dying trees and waiving all associated fees until July 1.
“Most people will, over time, realize this is something they encounter zero, or once, or twice in a time in a home,” Taylor said, adding the bylaw would get reviewed in a year and adjusted if needed.
As for developers, Taylor said most major developers will easily comply. But he said there is more of a challenge enforcing it for small or mid-sized developers.
“It’s always going to be a tricky one,” Taylor said. “I’m confident we’re on the right direction.”
NewmarketToday will continue its statistically accurate polling on community issues. You can vote on all our latest polls at newmarkettoday.ca/polls.
