The issue has little to do with the famous author's legitimate concerns about the loss of her natural backyard canopy, and everything to do with a gentrifying neighborhood. Atwood and Co.'s concerns about trees can be addressed with some appropriate replacement landscaping, all on developer's tab of course. 

The street will soon see more affordable housing units on the north side, more luxury boutique condo units scattered as you move further west, a much improved streetscape (cafes, boutiques, etc) and above all a higher property tax base for a growing urban area. 

If you remove any elements of class envy, contempt for risk taking entrepreneurial developers and of course the ever present misoneism, what's not to like about this elegant proposal?