A developer’s proposal for improvements to a berm along the Meadows of Aberfoyle property line was met with disdain Aug. 20.
Council had previously requested that the Cityview Homes group live up to promises it made over two years ago to neighbouring landowners, specifically in regards to a berm along the property of neighbour Marilyn Rootham.
But it was clear last week Rootham is far from satisfied.
“What they’re offering me is not replacing what was there before,” Rootham said. “They’re just throwing me peanuts.”
The $21,706 offer, presented by Bruce Donaldson, who represents Cityview, included the following:
– removal of weeds and two applications of Round Up at a cost of $8,300;
– four tandem truck loads of topsoil, $1,750;
– 20 blue spruce trees and six crab apple trees, $8,100; and
– fifty per cent of the cost for landscape fabric and mulch, $3,556.
Donaldson said the work would commence on Aug. 25, and, “We feel this is a significant contribution [to the berm].”
Rootham disagreed, however.
“There’s a lot of things missing from this proposal,” she said, including the specific type of trees and detailed timelines. She told council she has waited over two years and remained very patient, but that is no longer the case.
“They have their houses, and I’ve lost my view,” Rootham said. She added she would prefer to have $30,000 to complete the berm herself.
Mayor Brad Whitcombe told Rootham he shares her frustration, and noted that about $10,000 worth of the upgrades could have been avoided had Cityview had not delayed them. He explained there was no formal agreement for the work on the berm – it was a good faith agreement.
“Those things should have been attended to first, not last,” Whitcombe said of the promises made to neighbours. “I really think it’s in your client’s best interest to solve this.”
Councillor Susan Fielding said she does not see why the Roothams should have to share any costs, as the delay was not their fault.
Councillor Matthew Bulmer said asking for half the costs on the landscape fabric and mulch seems “petty.”
He told Donaldson the entire ordeal – which has been documented in readily available meeting minutes and Newspaper articles – has been very bad publicity for his client.
“It’s at your client’s peril for this to keep coming back and coming back,” Bulmer said.
Councillors Don McKay and Dick Visser told Donaldson to explore letting Rootham do the work, as she suggested.
“Give her the money and get ’er done,” Visser said.
Whitcombe said the matter has to eventually come to a conclusion, which he hopes will be a good News story.
Rootham said she is willing to renegotiate the proposal at any time.
Donaldson suggested a meeting on Aug. 25 and said in the meantime he will make sure the weeds are removed and two applications of Round Up applied as soon as possible.
