A proposed permit requirement for construction around trees on public land is getting heavy pushback from Edmonton utility companies and infill developers who are calling for an exemption.

Representatives from Epcor, Atco, Shaw Communications and the Infill Development in Edmonton Association (IDEA) told councillors Tuesday the planned permit could significantly increase costs and timelines for the many construction projects they are involved in near city trees.

Under the proposal, a permit and tree protection or preservation plan would be required whenever work is occurring within five metres of a boulevard and open space tree or within 10 metres of a natural stand of trees. This would include construction, demolition and excavation.

Epcor government relations senior manager Jeff Bertram estimated the new procedure would require 8,000 permits costing thousands of dollars a year for the work the utility company does. He said Epcor supports a bylaw to protect the city’s urban trees, but a permit process would only add red tape to companies that have a proven track record of mitigating impact to trees.

“The expense of creating a new permitting process at this scale would be borne by Edmontonians, whether it’s utility customers or taxpayers, and really have no public benefit. In addition to the expense to citizens from this process, we’re greatly concerned about the potential for delays to planned and emergency work and an increase in staffing required by the city and each utility company to administer this permitting process,” Bertram said.

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