Re: story about proposed waterline backing on to Trill Drive residences.
Thanks for alerting the people of Parksville to this disastrous plan that directly affects 44 homes in four subdivisions.
Trees are the first line of defence for drainage issues on our slopes that drop three meters.
On the north side of the rail tracks (Trill residences), within five properties and a small adjacent park, there are 92 firs and 19 cedars that would be clearcut. On the south side (Evergreen acreages), directly opposite, there would be 36 firs to be cut, some already skinned to give an ocean view and some trees would be left for screening .
Imagine the clear cutting, pulling stumps and digging four-foot trenches while building a five-meter access road (path) during the rainy season with surface water and mud pouring down to our houses. Eventually there will be some sort of drainage installed, but during construction there won’t be any drains.
Also consider the loss of habitat for a great horned owl, hummingbirds that nest year round, quail and other birds and animals.
These impacts are devastating on the north side, whereas the south side is flat, less intrusive and provides a natural drainage swale to Shelley Creek for water run-off — never mind the huge liability issues for the City of Parksville when our homes are flooded.
People with experience in pipeline building say it will be very expensive to dig into the north side slope and will require multiple drains, retaining walls and hundreds of truck loads of fill, while on the south, flat terrain means cut and cover, no retaining walls, fill etc.
So why won’t the mayor and council do the right thing and put a motion forward to reconsider?
Why would the people of Parksville want to pay a lot more money if the south side is less costly and easier, even though it has a fibre optic cable with a tracer.
This is not a NIMBY Situation — there’s a viable alternative, the south (Evergreen) side.
Lynne DonaldsonParksville
