Community members strongly objected to the developer's plan to remove dozens of mature Douglas fir trees to accommodate an 82-lot subdivision, arguing it will drastically reduce the neighborhood's already low tree canopy and exacerbate the urban heat island effect. While the developer plans to preserve a smaller southwestern tree grove in an HOA tract and plant over 200 replacement saplings, residents argued these small ornamental trees cannot replicate the carbon sequestration and habitat value of the existing mature canopy. City staff acknowledged the residents' environmental and open space concerns but noted that the proposed tree retention and removal plan complies with current municipal codes.
Forests_green_space
Vancouver Land Use Hearings · Jun 16, 2026 · 2:00:00–2:00:12 · Watch on CVTV ↗
Keywords: open space parks old growth forestry Urban forest Urban Forest tree canopy urban forest Forestry
What was said
1:58:59 You have your hand up again, Ms. Brandy Oldman? - Yes, this is- - She's talking about Brandy. - Yes, all right. Let me swear you in real quick. Do you swear or affirm the testimony you give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? - I do. - Okay, please state your name and spell your last name and what your interest is in the application. And I will also note for everybody, Ms. Bowen has put a three-minute timer at the top of the screen. Just keep an eye on that as well. Thank you. - My name is Jackson Oldham. Oldham spelled O-L-D-H-A-M. I'm a resident of Parkway East. I live at 15924 Northeast 33rd Circle. So just to the east of the proposed development. In the interest of saving the examiner's time, I'll just say that I have put a comment in the record and I would like to remain on the record. And I would like to reiterate what everyone else has already said that I support those comments. Two points that I'll bring up specifically, one that has not been mentioned so far
1:59:57 is the city's commitment to tree canopy. The city's current goal is 28% tree canopy coverage. The Parkway East neighborhood sits at 15% for one of the lowest in the city. No number of small trees that a developer puts in can replace the absolutely replaceable established hug furs that are already on the property. This is an opportunity for the city of Vancouver to put their money where their mouth is and protect trees. As we say, we'd like to. The second point I will say is that I would just remind the examiner and obviously you're aware that the impetus, the burden is on the applicant to prove why a zone change and why these developments are necessary. There's obviously a housing crisis. As a public safety professional, I see that crisis every single day. However, I do not believe that 82 houses versus a proposed slightly lower amount is gonna solve that problem significantly. And I don't believe that qualifies as an unusual circumstance or condition
2:00:55 to justify the changing and rezoning of this property. I appreciate your time and I will end my comment there. - Okay, all right. Thank you very much for your testimony, Mr. Oldham. Okay, next step is it looks like Robin Oldham also has her hand up again.
Evidence (1 match)
direct keyword 2:00:00–2:00:12 open space, parks, old growth, forestry, Urban forest, Urban Forest, tree canopy, urban forest, Forestry
d I would like to reiterate what everyone else has already said that I support those comments. Two points that I'll bring up specifically, one that has not been mentioned so far is the city's commitment to tree canopy. The city's current goal is 28% tree canopy coverage. The Parkway East neighborhood sits at 15% for one of the lowest in the city. No number of small trees that a developer puts in can replace the absolutely replaceable established hug furs that are already on the property. This is