An incident where approximately 60 trees were cut down on what is known as the old golf course lands in Townsite continues to be investigated by local authorities.
The land on which the trees were located is owned by PRSC, a limited partnership between City of Powell River and Tees’Kwat Land Holdings.
“We have confidence the property owner [PRSC] was not breaking our tree bylaw, but someone was, so the property owner is investigating it and we're interested in what that turns up,” said City of Powell River chief administrative officer Mac Fraser.
The cutting of vegetation within the riparian zone of Cutthroat Creek and the trees is being taken seriously, according to PRSC director Wayne Brewer.
“PRSC, as owner, has asked the appropriate authorities to investigate,” said Brewer. “No further public statements are being made pending reports back.”
The area below Larch and Laburnum avenues, which now has different parcels of land owned by City of Powell River and PRSC, has become a point of contention in an ongoing fight by residents against the city and the location of the new wastewater treatment plant.
City officials said they are confident they know the individual responsible is a resident on Laburnum Avenue.
One of the arguments taken by Townsite residents against the facility site is its impact on the natural environment of the former golf course lands. Another objection is the treatment plant would be a detriment to homeowners’ views.
On February 2, city engineering technologist Tully Kurtz was sent by director of infrastructure Tor Birtig to investigate a report of tree falling occurring in Townsite within 30 metres of the Cutthroat Creek riparian zone.
When he arrived at Laburnum Avenue, Kurtz said the sound of chainsaws could be heard and as he and a co-worker made their way down the trail toward the noise it abruptly stopped.
“A few moments later we encountered two young gentlemen and a woman. The men were wearing hard hats, high-visibility vests and carrying chainsaws,” said Kurtz in an internal city email. “I enquired if they had been falling trees and they indicated that they had been. The woman indicated that they were falling trees for her to improve her view. I asked if she had permission to do so and she indicated, ‘Yes.’ I asked who gave her permission and she indicated that [city manager of economic development] Scott Randolph had given her permission.”
Fraser confirmed that neither Randolph, co-manager of PRSC, nor anyone else at PRSC had given anyone permission to fell the trees.
The city recently passed a new tree-protection bylaw, but it’s doubtful it can be applied in this case, according to Fraser.
“We have said to the property owner [PRSC], 'We can see what was done. The trees were taken,’” said Fraser. “It's whether the property owner even had control, first of all. We're not going to take action against the property owner who has had someone misuse access to their property.”
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