The Town of Lake Cowichan has received a complaint with regards to trees located at the corner of Comiaken Avenue and Cottonwood Street.
The complaint was presented to council at last Tuesday’s Public Works Committee meeting where Sandra and Brian Avery highlighted their concerns in a letter.
“There are several large trees on the boulevard in front of our property that are on town land,” read the Averys’ letter. “Two of the trees near Cottonwood corner are lifting the cement wall that borders our yard and have split it. The wall predates these large self seeded trees and were never intended to get to the size they are.
“The branches of these trees freeze to the roofs of parked cars and make the sloping sidewalk slippy with their needles. A third tree on the opposite end of the boulevard has low hanging branches over the sidewalk that have been a source of complaints to the town. I would prefer that the two trees that are causing our wall to disintegrate to be removed completely.”
Town superintendent Nagi Rizk didn’t seem to think there was a problem “to his knowledge” but chief administrator Joe Fernandez believe it’s something the town must look into at least.
“We will deal with the property owners and if the trees have been planted by the owners, that’s something we’ll need to address. We’ll go with the existing policy.”
Coun. Tim McGonigle highlighted the fact that the current policy only requires action for “dangerous trees” but says nothing with regards to property damage.
“I think we should change our policy to include damage to property as well but I obviously have concerns about dangerous trees.”
Fernandez concurred with McGonigle.
“It’s something that needs to be addressed. For now, we’ve got to be consistent and do what we can to help.”
