Neighbourhood resistance to new sidewalk sways council committee
Public pressure has delivered another blow to a city policy meant to improve accessibility and pedestrian connections in neighbourhoods that were built without sidewalks.
Following extensive public consultation and the development of a Neighbourhood Connectivity Plan for the residential streets of Whitehills in northwest London, Ont., city staff recommend several new sidewalks.
Most contentious is the proposal to install a curb-facing sidewalk along one side of Edgehill Road and a short section of Edgehill Crescent to connect pedestrians from Blackacres to the South Foxhollow Ravine.
“The existing road design provides an inadequate connection for those not comfortable walking on the road for any number of reasons,” explained Jennie Dann, director of construction and infrastructure to the Civic Works Committee.
But most residents on the streets have opposed the recommendation, suggesting that there are not currently large numbers of pedestrians walking on their street, and there is a fully-accessible entrance point to the South Foxhollow Ravine nearby.
“As a neighbourhood collective, we do not want sidewalks installed as our property values would plummet. Our driveways would be cut by 50 per cent,” resident Arlene Dewdney told the committee.
Another neighbour expressed concern that installing the sidewalk would require cutting stamped concrete driveways.
Dann said city staff are not aware of any research showing that new sidewalks reduce property values, instead pointing to “walkability scores” included on most real estate listings.
Curb-facing sidewalks reduce the impact on trees and driveways, but Dann did estimate about 10 trees planted close to the curb might have to be removed to accommodate the sidewalk.
Upcoming detailed design work will determine how many trees would be removed for a sidewalk, versus being removed because of upcoming roadwork.
Councillors acknowledged the importance of sidewalks on residential streets, but unanimously (4-0) recommended council remove the Edgehill sidewalk from upcoming road reconstruction plans for this summer.
“It didn’t feel to me that the connectivity to that trail was the impetus for such a dramatic change to this neighbourhood and this street,” explained Coun. Corrine Rahman who chairs the committee and represents the neighbourhood.
Council will make a final decision Feb. 14.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Man convicted of involuntary manslaughter in father's drowning, told police he was baptizing him
A Massachusetts man who told police he was exorcising a demon and performing a baptism when he shoved his father's head under water multiple times has been convicted of involuntary manslaughter in his death.
New Norad commander calls Canada's defence policy update 'very encouraging'
American troops will be spending more time training in the Far North, the new commander of Norad says, a strategy that fits 'hand-in-glove' with Canada's renewed focus on Arctic defence.
$70M Lotto Max winners kept prize a secret from family for 2 months
During a special winner celebration near their hometown, Doug and Enid shared the story of how they discovered they were holding a Lotto Max ticket worth $70 million and how they kept this huge secret for so long.
Are Canadians getting sick from expired food?
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.