The removal of several trees from the Merklin Street water reservoir site this week to make way for construction of the new reservoir left neighbouring residents “furious” and “disappointed.”
Fir Street resident Adena Martin was one of several area neighbours to call Peace Arch News about trees removed on Tuesday, and said she was shocked to see the “absolutely gorgeous trees” were gone.
“I came here to rent in this building specifically because when you look out those windows, it’s like looking out at your own backyard,” Martin said. “Now it’s one hell of a mess.”
White Rock city manager Dan Bottrill told PAN Wednesday that several trees were taken down ahead of construction of a new reservoir on the Merklin Street and North Bluff Road property.
“I can confirm that they did have to come down to make way for the new reservoir,” Bottrill said, noting that although he didn’t have an exact number of trees, it was estimated at fewer than 10.
“We were able to save three trees on the west property line by slightly adjusting the project.”
Charon Hunniford, who also lives adjacent to the property, told PAN she was “so furious” to come home Tuesday afternoon to find the trees gone, without any word of warning from the city.
“It’s so wrong for an elected member of our community to shut the doors to information coming in and out,” Hunniford said, likening this week’s tree removal to the recent clearing of the Marine Drive ‘hump.’
“They seem to think that they can do whatever they want.”
Bottrill said that renderings of the new reservoir should be available online in the coming days, and the project will proceed with the demolition of the high-tower reservoir, followed by construction of the new one.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
