My husband and I bought our home on Trill Drive three years ago. Why? Being retired, we were looking for peace and tranquility, that perfect home and location we had worked so hard to obtain.
We were fine with the possibility of a daily train going by. The corridor is heavily treed, full of wildlife, private and secure, which was so important.
It didn’t matter to us that the city had enforced a mandated setback on all the lots leaving us approximately 25 feet to the property line. We still had the above.
We are a group of people who take great pride in our properties, and the environment surrounding us. At our own expense, we have taken care in removing fallen and diseased trees, replacing them and keeping the broom and other invasive shrubs from entering our properties.
Due to the heavy rainfalls of winter, and the slope we contend with from the railway, we all have extensive drainage in place, as well as storm drains on our property lines, some put in by the developers, some by owners. What do you think might happen once you take away all the trees, and the slope is barren?
We have been battling city council for over a month to please move the pipeline to the south side. They are doing so for Martindale Road residents, due to slope. What about the fibre optic concerns there? Why not just stay south, until it reaches Springwood? The fibre optic cable has tracers — you will know where its located.
The director of operations, who seems to be running our city, would rather risk flooding our homes, construct retaining walls, sound barriers and new drainage for all our properties, than stay on the south side.
The access road, trail, path — I’m not sure what they are calling it today, as it varies — will not go ahead until well into the future. Question: how are the bulldozers, dump trucks, tree fallers etc. going to enter the corridor? Whatever they leave in their wake will be an open invitation to motorbikes, ATVs and dirt bikes.
Last question is for the city, specifically its director of operations: would you be pleased with all of this 25 feet from your home? The stress and frustration you and city council are putting us through is unconscionable.
Brian and Chris ZamiskyParksville
