Majestic maple trees removed from corner of Kincardine Avenue and Fraser Drive, Kincardine

Several majestic, 100-year-old maple trees have been removed from the property west of the Willow West subdivision, at the corner of Kincardine Avenue and Fraser Drive, Kincardine.

Workers began cutting down the trees Monday morning.

The trees were part of an objection by neighbouring residents in the Willow West subdivision, against a proposed development on this property, back in January.

Developer Tom Kerr planned to build a 19-unit residential development, including three semi-detached buildings (six dwelling units), an apartment building (six dwelling units) and a townhouse building (six dwelling units), for a total of 18 residential dwellings, along with the farmhouse which was to remain on the property. The entire development was to have access to Fraser Drive right next to the single entrance to the Willow West subdivision.

During a planning meeting Jan. 20, Bruce County planner Mollie Kuchma responded to concerns about the mature maple trees by saying that these were to be removed to make way for the development, and that Kincardine does not have a tree-cutting bylaw that would prohibit the removal of trees. She said the application represented good land-use planning and recommended approval.

However, council did not agree and the application to amend the zoning bylaw was defeated.