The City of Prince George will conduct some tree thinning in urban areas.
At last night’s (Monday) meeting, City Council approved expenditures of up to $60,000 for the project from the City’s EVP Crown Land Forest Account.
According to a report by Director of Civic Operations Blake McIntosh, thinning the trees will decrease fire hazards, reduce areas of cover hiding undesirable activities, and also reduce illegal dumping of refuse in green spaces.
City staff noted they’re still in the process of finalizing where the thinning would take place, but mentioned along Winnipeg Street, between 15th and Carney, in Rainbow Park, and Lower Patricia.
The work would remove immature trees of up to three inches in diameter.
“Thinning does help, it’s proven if you do thin things out the trees do grow better,” said Councillor Brian Skakun.
Councillor Trudy Klassen was the lone opposer, saying she didn’t feel right supporting it if it meant taking away space from unhoused people.
“I would feel unnecessarily cruel in supporting this,” Klassen said.
“I know the intent, I just don’t think I can support it today.”
“The primary purpose is not to make it inhabitable, it’s to make it more fire safe, if people ended up being in that area,” said Councillor Kyle Sampson.
“People can’t camp here anyways, this is in areas that are designated out of our overnight shelter bylaw.”
During the debate, Councillor Cori Ramsay moved “that council directs administration to return a report summarizing the work done for the localized urban green space management project,” which was passed unanimously.
Councillor Garth Frizzell also moved “that council directs City Staff to confirm and accept terms of the gift from Miracle Theatre and Prince George Community Foundation for the provision of a structure protection unit intended to augment the current service plan and provide fire protection to residences and buildings,” which was passed unanimously as well.
Council met last night – some new things are on the horizon for #CityofPG! Read more, including the agenda and associated reports, on our website: https://t.co/rjTXEC7zQL pic.twitter.com/O62msG4pLE
— City of Prince George (@CityofPG) October 17, 2023