More than a dozen North Shore residents have successfully stopped a bulldozer from cutting down trees on their property, at least for today.
The residents at 580 Raven Woods Drive in North Vancouver say they have not been consulted about the clear-cutting by the developer.
“We understand they had to develop and trees had to be cut down,” says resident Patrick Renny who has lived in the complex since 2003. “We were left with a small tree break of approximately 50 to 60 feet, and we were under the impression that it was supposed to remain.”
But on Monday, Renny says a bulldozer rolled in and started tearing the trees down, without any communication.
“We are concerned about the fact that it is taking away our landscape and devaluing our property. We want to keep these trees here to help us retain some of the natural beauty of this area we moved into,” says Renny.
The development sits on lands owned by the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and is overseen by Aqulini Development.
In a written statement from Leonard George, director of economic development for Tsleil-Waututh Nation, he said they “aware that Raven Woods residents have expressed concerns regarding tree removal that is taking place for the next phase of the Raven Woods development. The Nation is committed to open and transparent communications with our stakeholders. We have stopped work on the site for today and will be meeting with the residents tomorrow to better understand their concerns and share more information about plans for the site.”
Renny says it is their understanding that there is also an ancient burial site inside the forest surrounding their property.
He and other residents hope to speak to the First Nation and developer to find a consensus, but their main priority this morning was to stop the deforestation.
They say a ten-acre tract of land just to the north of their homes has already been clear-cut.
Global News has calls and emails in to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation and Aqulini group, but has not heard back at the time of publishing.
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