The damage has already been done, but all will not be lost if the town of Bracebridge has anything to say about it.

Last week councillors got a first glance at the proposed site alteration and tree clearing bylaw, something they have been promising since last November’s municipal election.

While the process is just beginning, and public comment still needs to be sought, it is nice to see council is finally showing some sort of urgency in this matter, even if it did take a huge public outcry and the rape of another piece of land in Bracebridge to get the ball rolling.

Throughout the process, though, there are a number of questions and concerns that will need to be addressed. And one very important question is: how much control should the town have over another person’s property?

Will the new bylaw be too onerous on property owners, and every time they need to trim the hedge a permit will have to be sought, and a fee paid to the town?

And what will neighbours have to say when the guy next door wishes to cut down a few trees?

Councillor Scott Young is right when he says the town needs to be wary about lumping large developers in with the “little guys” who perform minor alterations on their properties. This bylaw needs to reflect that.

As well, how much time will be taken up at council meetings debating requests, or will it simply be a departmental issue? This will have to be taken into consideration before the final bylaw is passed.

While there are many debates to be had over this bylaw, one piece of information in the 37-page draft that needs no second thought is the proposed fines: $1,000 for each tree removed illegally by an individual, and $5,000 for each tree removed illegally by a corporation.

While these fines may seem steep, they are one piece of the puzzle that shouldn’t be removed. Stiff fines will encourage everyone to follow the rules of the land.

Council needs to stick to the big picture and push this through before more trees are pulled down for pretty views and some people’s twisted view of progress. Don’t let potential backyard squabbles break down this needed legislation. This bylaw needs teeth as sharp as the chainsaws that have recently ravaged parts of our town.

KF