Hazel Street development approval ties tree removal to building permits
December 18, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Trees currently standing on a Hazel Street property slated for development should remain up until construction is ready to start, Fort Erie councillors have decided.
Council approved a draft plan of condominium for the 17-unit townhouse build at the December 15 council meeting. However, they added a stipulation, at the request of Mayor Wayne Redekop, that no trees could be removed until building permits have been issued.
“It would be a shame to end up with a parcel cleared of trees, and then for whatever reason–it could be circumstances beyond the control of the developer–that might delay construction,” he said, pointing out there have been other lands where a development was approved, trees quickly removed but then construction stalled or never happened.
“And then we’ve got vacant land sitting there where once there was a wooded area.”
Devon Morton, supervisor of development approvals, said there were already some stipulations and conditions in place that would mitigate the risk of early tree removal, but that it was up to councillors to decide if they wanted to add another clause.
“If that is the will of council, again that’s not my recommendation, but if that’s something you want to build in we can do that,” he said.
Director of Planning and Development Anamika Dilwaria said most of the trees on the property are already protected in the tree preservation area, with several others being along the property line.
“There are only five trees which the applicant would have to remove which is in the building envelope,” she said. “But those are big trees, they would have to get a tree permit from the town anyway.”
The Hazel Street development includes 17 townhouse units. A staff report said it conformed to the regional and local official plans, provincial planning policy and the Ridgeway-Thunder Bay secondary plan.
“The development is appropriate for the subject lands, represents an efficient use of infrastructure and provides additional housing opportunities in the Ridgeway-Thunder Bay neighbourhood,” the report said.
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Luke Edwards
Luke Edwards is a longtime Niagara community journalist who has covered a variety of beats, including business, agriculture, the wine industry and politics. When not writing, there's a good chance he can be found at a baseball diamond or curling rink.
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