www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver Weekend, Saturday December 2, 2006 - 3 Last tree standing BARRIE ERSKINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER MORE HOUSES COMING: A lone bur oak tree estimated as being about 100 years old stands alone where it used to stand amidst the growth of the Grand Oak Woodlot. One quarter of the woodlot, and this tree on the former woodlot's eastern edge remain as development creeps north to Dundas Street in the west end. Townhouses and the extension of Grand Oak Trails will be built here. Century-old oak tree all that remains of Grand Oak Woodlot By Angela Blackburn OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Special Report The Grand Oak Woodlot is no longer grand -- most of it is not even standing -- Discussions are now underway with Town and area residents are now fighting to save a staff, new Mayor Rob Burton, residents and 100-year-old oak tree that now stands on its the developer. east edge alone. The residents and councillors staged lastBulldozers went through at the northern minute attempts to save the woodlot, but dead end of Grand Oak their efforts proved Trails -- which will "It is truly a tragedy that futile in the face of plansoon become the road- Oakville is becoming oak-less. ning decisions dating way's extension to It is horrifying to witness clearback nearly a decade -- Dundas Street and some around longer cutters plow through our forest home to even newer than the residents now to make way for Grand Oaks residents. upset by them. The fate of the wood- Trail (Road)." The residents and lot as development Ward 4 Councillor Allan creeps toward Dundas Spring Meadow Way Elgar, outgoing ward Street -- soon even resident Yvette Fox-DellaVedova councillor Renee north of Dundas -- has Sandelowsky and newlyevoked lots of emotions from area residents. elected ward Councillor Roger Lapworth and With one quarter of the woodlot saved by Burton tried to save the woodlot by bringing a Town council decision two years ago, but Toronto media attention to it on the eve of the rest sacrificed to development, area resi- the municipal election. dents and area councillors have now turned "In my opinion incremental, piecemeal their efforts toward saving the 100-year-old planning and developer-funded studies conoak. tributed greatly to the lack of regard for this to Bronte Creek that were believed to be more worth saving. The action was based on environmental studies, concurrence among commenting woodlot," said Elgar, who is no stranger to agencies, and in the face of an OMB hearing. The Town opted to save a portion of the fighting for the environment. Both he and Sandelowsky, both of whom woodlot it could justify saving based on the were founding directors of Oakvillegreen information it had and settled with the develConservation Association Inc., attempted to oper, Bronte Community Homes/Crystal Homes at the OMB. save the same woodlot "In particular the structure was "The removal of the two years ago. majority of the subject They were the only good, but the health fair. I expect woodlot at the end of two councillors this is a result of dwellings being Grand Oak Trails is the around the Town of constructed along Spring Meadow result of a series of Oakville council table planning decisions datto vote for trying to Way affecting the east side of the ing back to 1999," said save the entire wood- tree." Town spokesperson lot. Jane Courtemanche. After lengthy Arborist Jack Radecki "This matter does debate, and legal and indeed have a lot of hisplanning advice, the majority of council instead voted to hold up tory benefiting from being seen in proper subdivision approval, while the woodlot and context," said outgoing mayor Ann Mulvale. The Oakville Beaver recently asked the proposed road were discussed, and to pursue settlement at the Ontario Municipal Board Town, Elgar and area resident Yvette FoxDellaVedova, whose home is next to the (OMB). The result was saving a portion of the woodlot, for their take on the series of events See Arbourist page 4 woodlot and securing other woodlots closer Colours For Y our Home Visit us today to pick up the new 2007 Benjamin Moore brochure 2 Locations to serve you! Painters Place 5off Series 4 L Collection $ 00 2 gal. maximum Offer expires December 31/06 478 Dundas St. West (Dominion Plaza) Neyagawa & Dundas www.paintersplace.ca Benjamin Moore is the brand of paint specified most often by interior designers and architects. 478 Dundas St. West (Dominion Plaza) Neyagawa & Dundas Painters Place Oakville 905-257-2061 5636 Glen Erin Dr. (the Longo's Plaza) Mississauga 905-858-1708 Oakville 905-257-2061 5636 Glen Erin Dr. (the Longo's Plaza) Mississauga 905-858-1708 Colour accuracy is ensured only when tinted in quality Benjamin Moore® paints.