‘Stop developments’

Dear Editor:

An open letter to Mayor Kelly Linton and Centre Wellington council.

The township’s “Focused Direction” leaflet in last week’s Advertiser caught my eye with its lovely graphic colours. I pride myself with keeping abreast of happenings within Centre Wellington, and especially around my home town of Fergus.

I read with interest the note under Healthy Growth: “We will manage the pace and scale of new development, and retain our small-town feel.” An ambiguous comment, for I am unsure of its intent.

My husband and I moved to Fergus 17 years ago, because we loved the small-town feel, yet lately I have not thought of Fergus as being all that small. I see housing developments springing up all around Fergus. Some are taking up chunks of former farmers’ fields. The houses, which are by no means small, seem to each be plunked onto small plots of land, with what appears to be postage stamp-sized backyards of about six feet deep.

First, why is “small-town feel” noted in quotes on your leaflet? Second, does the typical family need such large houses? Third, how do you play ball with a child in a yard only six feet deep? Fourth, where are the people coming from who will reside in these new houses, and where do they work?

I can see from a financial perspective that council may find the development fees for new housing projects and the resulting long-term property tax revenues an appealing prospect.

As a resident of Fergus, I now see more vehicles on the road and more stop signs and stoplights, all of which slow the flow of our small-town life. I also wonder about climate and environmental issues, such as clear cutting trees and plowing under native bushes and plants – or worse, the loss of the all-important agricultural fields.

The new developments do not seem to have large trees landscaped into their plans. A major concern with climate control is the lack of pollution-fighting and life-sustaining trees. Southern Ontario has a marked lack of trees, and as such, the Green Legacy Program and Neighbourwoods have become important resources here.

We in Fergus have so much to be proud of, and our small town seems to have sustained more than its share of recent development.

All of these issues are reiterated in the 2019 Vital Signs publication under Environment, and on the reverse of that page relating to housing affordability and the lack or rental housing, etc.

Fergus was a small town, but is now developing to the stage where that designation might even change. I implore you, Mayor Linton and council, to consider all aspects of our community, and stop the developments that threaten to strip us of the small-town feel (without the quotes) that we so enjoy. Thank you.

Carol Turner,
Centre Wellington