Guelph-Eramosa councillors seem to be growing tired of local road closures for various bicycle races and other athletic events.
In response to yet another request last week, Mayor Chris White said he is concerned township residents could be “constantly” bothered and inconvenienced by the closures.
“When do you reach a critical mass?” White asked.
Clerk Meaghen Reid confirmed the township has received road closure requests for about eight events so far this year, including the Tour de Waterloo cycling event last week.
What seemed to particularly irk councillors this time around was a request from the organizers of that event to waive the township’s usual requirement to notify affected property owners.
“Absolutely not,” was councillor Doug Breen’s response to the request. “They’ve got to notify the residents.”
Councillor Corey Woods agreed, and seemed annoyed with the lack of notice the Tour de Waterloo organizers provided.
He noted the township received the request on June 15 and reviewed it on June 20 – just five days before the event was to take place.
“They’ve done this before. This is not new to them,” Woods said of the event officials.
White stressed the roads would not be completely closed for the event. He suggested approving the Tour de Waterloo application since staff has not yet completed a policy for such events.
The mayor said once the policy is done, it could be sent to all the event organizers that regularly seek local road closures.
However, White said, the township will not waive the requirement to notify residents.
Woods asked how notification would be provided in such short notice, and Reid said it would have to be hand delivered to residents.
Council unanimously approved a resolution granting the Tour de Waterloo permission to use Sideroad 14 and 6th Line East provided that notice is supplied, that the organizers obtain $5-million in general liability insurance, and that details on policing and medical assistance are provided.
