The expansion of Hilltop House has angered a few Hospital Hill residents who are concerned about the removal of a growth of what they're calling "heritage" trees.
Eleven coniferous trees, averaging between 60-70 feet, will be cut down for the expansion, which will nearly double the size of the senior care facility.
"The trees appear to be heritage trees," said area resident Brian Vincent. "Unfortunately, decades of intense logging have removed many of Squamish's ancient forests. The trees on the property slated to be developed are grand, beautiful, and worthy of being saved."
Vincent said that council should put pressure on the developer to ensure that the trees are maintained, and even offered to buy a bench with a plaque praising the developer and architect firm Kasian Architecture if the trees remained.
The District of Squamish has yet to implement a tree removal bylaw, but a bylaw would have made little difference in this case since the project falls under the auspices of the Ministry of Health and the developer. Vancouver Coastal Health, is exempt from the normal environmental impact procedure.
"It never came to staff for that kind of technical review," said Chessy Knight, environmental coordinator for the district. "The trees in question fall into the building's footprint," she said. "I wouldn't call them old growth, but they are mature trees."
While their removal is beyond the control of the district, the developer has agreed to replace them to a degree.
