Public backlash against a decision to remove 11 tamarack trees on Mohawk Crescent has convinced a homeowner to withdraw the request.
City council last week voted 7-6 in favour of cutting the trees down, which the homeowner said were damaging his home.
The family first asked council to remove the trees three years ago.
Council was told last week it would cost $8,500 to take them down, which led some councillors to question whether or not it was a precedent-setting move.
Coun. Andrew Foulds was among the latter crowd. Foulds said Wednesday he had received plenty of phone calls and responses on his Facebook page, most of it unhappiness with the decision.
"I believe this decision is more than the cutting of 11 trees. For me this issue has always been about the broader public interest in this decision. If falling needles is a nuisance then there are many citizens experiencing falling needles, falling leaves, falling fruit, dripping sap and clogge eaves," Foulds said.
"The precedent this decision sets seems to indicated that the city should be responding to other nuisance trees."
Foulds went on to say it's not a good use of public funds and that homeowners should expect some responsibility to rake leaves and clean their eaves.
"Generally speaking people are comfortable paying taxes as long s they see value for their taxes. It is my impression from the feedback I have received people don't see value in this investment."
In the report, city staff predicted they’d see an uptick in calls regarding so-called nuisance trees, which they later confirmed to be true.
Foulds said there have been at least three administration reports and a consultant's report that recommended against cutting the trees down.
The original decision is expected back before council for ratification later this month. A number of deputations against the tree-cutting plan had been scheduled by residents wishing to speak out against the tree removal.
The homeowner’s change of heart may influence the final outcome, but it’s still in council’s hand whether or not the plan moves forward.
"I suspect this issue will be reconsidered at city council," Foulds said.
-- With files from Dennis Ward, Thunder Bay Television.
