Dear Editor:
Re: Another housing proposal on St. David Street is approved, Jan. 30.
I have to say that I am disappointed in council’s recent decision to approve this project. Why have public meetings if you are going to ignore the valid concerns of the taxpayers that will be most affected by that development? Were there any changes made to the initial presentation that would address those concerns?
At a public meeting in September local residents provided a petition of over 100 signatures outlining concerns with driveway placement and the safety of children walking along Parkside, as well as insufficient infrastructure and traffic issues.
Parking seems questionable with only 18 spots for the proposed 12 townhouses. Check local driveways, there are few single car households. Where would extra cars go? Currently street parking is at a premium and not allowed from November to April.
New retail and over 200 new residential units have already been approved in this area.
“Intensification” is the word that is on repeat to justify all of the new housing opportunities in this north end of Fergus. We do need housing. With that supplied we need to take into account what comes with it, significant increase in traffic.
Township staff plan to keep an eye on future traffic patterns and introduce management if needed. What does that mean? Count the number of accidents and injuries? What counts, only severe injury? Making decisions after the fact can be very impactful and expensive.
“Underutilized” – another word used to justify this approval. Does this mean that houses on large lots will become a target for future developers? Will rezoning to multi-use become more frequent? Will council make decisions for people who might move here and ignore the concerns of taxpayers who do live here?
Call me naïve, but shouldn’t elected officials listen to their constituents? Thanks, councillor Lisa MacDonald for trying.
Bernice Robinet,
Fergus