There are several more worries than water regarding the proposed development in Silverdale. Firstly, why do we have an Official Community Plan (OCP) at great cost to the taxpayer if council insists on changing it for no compelling reasons given by any applicant.
Prospective buyers in Mission, residential and commercial, consult that plan to see what will happen in the community for the next five years so they have surety before they buy the property. We already have three existing gas stations in the space of one block in Silverdale. Most gas customers come in from Maple Ridge on the weekend to fill up with most local people going into Mission where the gas is one or two pennies a litre less at the big stores.
The access to the Lougheed Highway at the proposed station is only about 10 feet east of the Hayward intersection, making this piece of road even more dangerous for traffic, which hardly ever obeys the lower speed limit posted.
There is no city water and sewer west of Nelson Street and a deep well would affect adjoining properties who are already challenged with water supply in the dry periods of the year.
Under the previous council there was a big push to limit carbon emissions and drive thru restaurants with petitions circulated. What has changed now?
In regards to having access to fresh vegetables and fruits: two of the stations sell fresh food and coffee. The two local stores we had on Hayward Street and Silverdale Avenue both closed down due to lack of support by the locals.
Silverdale is a rural community with a rich cultural and agricultural history and there are still some farm gate sales and hobby farms. People outside the Silverdale community would not necessarily be aware of this as they are closer to the shops in Mission where they would shop.
S. Barker
Mission
