Editor: Council seems to have totally missed the whole environmental goal of their sustainability charter with their June 27, 5-4 vote to approve developments in our community:
The sustainability charter, adopted by council on June 23, 2008, is the result of research, expert advice, and community input.
It presents a vision of the community that meets the social/cultural, economic, and environmental needs of current residents, while ensuring that those needs can continue to be met for future residents.
The charter should inspire all residents to think, make decisions, and act with an eye to the future as they go about their daily lives.
The Goals:
Social/cultural
• celebrate our heritage
• protect our people and properties
• build corporate and community capacity
• provide and support community based leisure opportunities
• nurture a mindset of sustainability
Economic
• achieve fiscal stability and fiscal health
• develop livable and vibrant communities
• strengthen our economy
• invest in effective infrastructure
• integrate transportation into community planning
Environmental
• conserve and enhance our environment
• increase biodiversity and natural capital
• respect our rural character and rural heritage
• reduce energy consumption
• promote stewardship
There are currently five development sites — 45.5 acres at various stages of approval — with a sixth in the wings.
These are located between 31 and 36 Avenues and 197 and 205 Streets in the Brookswood-Fernridge area.
For the five sites, 3,804 significant trees (over 12 inches in diameter) have been identified and 3,695 of these are slated for removal — leaving only 109.
This means 97 per cent of the trees on 45.5 acres will be basically clear cut.
And this is only the beginning. The impact to our environment will be irreversible.
Elaine Logan,
Brookswood
