Infill Development Discussion

[trtcttc]

My biggest complaint with infills is the lazy developers or new home buyers who knock down all of the mature trees. I drove through this section of Glengarry on the weekend and this side of the street lost most of the tree cover. You can even see where the old trees used to be moving along the road when streetview changes years.

Current:

Street View of Calgary · Google Maps

Alberta, Canada

www.google.com

Previous:

Street View of Calgary · Google Maps

Alberta, Canada

www.google.com

I'm not sure if we're looking at the same spot, but those are city trees, not private trees. So the city decides where to plant them. We asked the city for a tree last winter, and they planted it this year late summer, so it's pretty quick. They're also supposed to be watering, but we watered it more ourselves.

 

[CalgaryTiger]

Here are a few mid block examples from the SW

On 50th Ave near 20th Street on a singe lot.
Streetview:

Overhead:

On 33rd Ave near 15th Street on two lots.

Streetview:

Overhead:

On 33rd Ave near 14th Street on a single lot.

Streetview:

Overhead:

Now this isn't midblock, but it is some of my favourite infill. It is done now but this should still give you the impression for the project.

Streetview:

Overhead:

 

[haltcatchfire]

I'm not sure if we're looking at the same spot, but those are city trees, not private trees. So the city decides where to plant them. We asked the city for a tree last winter, and they planted it this year late summer, so it's pretty quick. They're also supposed to be watering, but we watered it more ourselves.

For the one that's too close they're talking about the tree that's planted directly inline with the edge of the cantilever above. Some pretty low IQ was involved in that situation.

 

[trtcttc]

For the one that's too close they're talking about the tree that's planted directly inline with the edge of the cantilever above. Some pretty low IQ was involved in that situation.

Oh I see, but that entirely the homeowner and nothing to do with new infills. If you move a bit closer, the streetview is from 2014 and that same house is already there with a different tree.

 

[haltcatchfire]

Oh I see, but that entirely the homeowner and nothing to do with new infills. If you move a bit closer, the streetview is from 2014 and that same house is already there with a different tree.

In this instance you're right, but it's just an example added along with their overall point. The case is generally even worse.

The real concern is the degradation of the private tree canopy these max lot coverage developments are incurring. A large majority of lots in the inner neighbourhoods, regardless of the date of the single family home built on it have a healthy collection of trees in front yards, back yards and even occasionally in side yards. Then these lots get cleared and as you can see in the satellite shots above, there's no room for more than a sapling that is unlikely to survive.