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
Prince William says wife Kate is 'doing well'
Prince William said on Friday his wife Kate was 'doing well' in a rare public comment about the Princess of Wales as she undergoes preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
BREAKING Canadian Blood Services apologizes to LGBTQ2S+ community for discriminatory blood donation policy
Canadian Blood Services issued an apology on Friday to the LGBTQ2S+ community for what it now admits was a harmful and discriminatory blood donation policy that prevented sexually active men who have sex with men and some trans people from donating blood and plasma.
BREAKING 'Just wait': Toronto mayor hints that WNBA team is coming to the city amid multiple reports
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow says that she is hopeful an announcement could be made soon amid multiple reports that a WNBA team is coming to Toronto in 2026.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.
Ontario coroner to investigate death of man who suffered cardiac arrest while waiting in ER
A provincial coroner will be investigating the death of 68-year-old David Lippert, who suffered a cardiac arrest while waiting in a crowded emergency room in Kitchener, Ont.
'Irate male' assaulted Newfoundland officers with block of cheese, police say
Police in Newfoundland say patrol officers were assaulted Thursday by a "very irate male" wielding a block of cheese.
Average hourly wage in Canada now $34.95: StatCan
Average hourly wages among Canadian employees rose to $34.95 on a year-over-year basis in April, a 4.7 per cent increase, according to a Statistics Canada report released Friday morning.
This iconic Canadian song is turning 50
Andy Kim's 'Rock Me Gently' is marking a major milestone, as it celebrates its 50th anniversary.
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.