Re: City of Abbotsford Tree Protection Bylaw.
Please note that trees on my property were purchased by me and remain so.
These trees were, and still are, part of the value and purchase price of said property, and no one other than my family and I make decisions regarding them.
If the city would like jurisdiction over them, that is fine, but the city will need to purchase them. A conservative estimate of the value is approximately $50,000.
Once this is paid in full and deposited in my account, the city is free to remove the trees at its earliest convenience and care for them wherever they so choose.
Once paid for, if removal of the trees is not the city’s intention, they can remain on our property in the city’s possession under the following conditions:
1. My annual property assessment is reduced by $50,000 from point of purchase until the trees are removed.
2. I am paid $3,000 annually for maintenance costs, cleanup of leaves and branches, basic trimming and pest management.
3. I am paid $1,000 annually for additional insurance to protect personal property (house, cars, hydro lines) from possible damage from trees within range of said items.
4. Tree visitations are by appointment only, maximum twopeople at a time, per day.
Prices in this offer are subject to change with market conditions, are payable in advance, and will be indexed annually to keep pace with inflation.
Once the above conditions are met, and not until then, can we move forward.
This bylaw does not require amending, it should never have seen the light of day, and needs to be scrapped entirely.
Eric van Steenis