Councillor proposes charging developers per tree felled in new Edmonton neighbourhoods

Ward Papastew Coun. Michael Janz is calling for a new fee structure that would charge developers for each tree cut down in new neighbourhood developments on Edmonton's outskirts.

The motion is set for debate at an upcoming council meeting and does not cover trees lost to infill projects — a separate proposed bylaw may address that. Janz argues the city already has dollar assessments for trees removed from established lots, but those costs don't apply to new developments, effectively subsidizing sprawl.

"Right now they build these new communities and the city has to pay for tree planting elsewhere," Janz said. He points to vacant downtown parking lots and closed retail space as more sustainable development options. "There's empty parking lots Downtown, there's a closed Toys R Us with a massive parking lot — these are the areas we need to be developing as a city. They're not being developed right now because it's still cheaper to build a cul-de-sac outside of the Henday and that's got to stop."

According to Janz, applying current tree valuations to new neighbourhood removals would total millions of dollars — a cost developers currently avoid. "When you put up new neighbourhoods you're destroying wetlands and intact ecosystems. One new development can be cutting down hundreds of trees. Some of these trees are very old and worth thousands of dollars. These costs are not being reflected."

Trees absorb carbon dioxide and reduce urban heat-island effects through shade. A 2023 Energy Transition and Climate Resilience Committee report noted that redeveloping existing properties can save 30 to 50 per cent of emissions compared to building on new lots. A single mature tree pulls roughly 21 kilograms of CO2 from the atmosphere annually, while the average Edmonton family generates 20.7 metric tonnes of CO2 annually — meaning roughly 1,000 trees are needed to offset one household's emissions.

Mayor Andrew Knack put forward a separate motion requiring permits to remove trees from established lots within city limits, responding to concerns over infill developments.