Lillooet Avenue West Streetscape Plan

On July 23 2023, a Tree Risk Assessment was completed by a professional arborist on the four oak trees on Lillooet Avenue West. The results of the assessment identified fungal stress, crown dieback, spongy wet tissue at branch failure locations, chlorosis and stunted leaves. Council resolved to remove the trees and directed staff to work with a contractor to salvage any useable wood from the trees for a future beautification project in the area.

At the June 25, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting, Council directed staff to have an arborist re-assess the trees as nearly a year had passed since the issues were first identified.

On July 16, 2024, a one-year tree risk assessment review was completed. The results of the review indicated further health decline to the trees with further dieback, branch failure and the presence of white rot within the internal tree layers. The recommendation of the risk assessment report is that the four oak trees be removed prior to winter 2024.The protection of people and property is the Village’s priority. Saving the trees would be ideal, however, the risk of injury and damage is too great, and staff must defer to the recommendations of the arborist in this case.

At the August 12, 2024, Regular Council meeting, Council passed a motion to remove the four oak trees prior to winter of 2024 as per the recommendations of the Tree Risk Assessment prepared. At this meeting Council also passed a resolution for staff to engage a professional engineering and landscape architectural consultant to create a preliminary Streetscape Plan and renderings for Lillooet Avenue West. This plan will be funded through the Local Government Climate Action Program.

The west end of Lillooet Avenue, a vital part of the transportation network within Harrison, is in the Village core. The existing road and sidewalk are in poor condition and in need of replacement. The creation and construction of a beautification plan would see the streetscape include environmental improvements such as adding green space, in addition to new climate resistant landscaping and trees plantings. Investing in a beautification project like this also improves public safety by adding new sidewalks and lighting and can have economic benefits through increased tourism with an attractive streetscape the community can be proud of. Staff will be looking to the community for their input as the streetscape plan is created.