ERIN – Mayor Michael Dehn is concerned new subdivisions will take away from Erin’s traditional values.
“I love the diversity, but is it keeping in context with the traditional town of Erin? That part hurts,” Dehn told the Advertiser.
The town held an open house, welcoming locals to review and discuss the reconstruction of Dundas Street.
The discussion was held at the Erin Community Centre on June 24, with Dehn and councillor Bridget Ryan in attendance.
Dehn stated he wants to see big houses with big backyards filled with playgrounds or swimming pools.
“Can you have a swimming pool in a four or five or six metre backyard? I don’t know, it’s going to be a total change,” added Dehn.
“It’ll start making us look like Brampton and Mississauga, that is not traditional Erin.”
The Vaughan-based developer, Solmar Development Corp. have an agreement in place to ensure responsibility in keeping the town’s values.
According to Dehn, Erin has the highest growth in the county “percentage wise.”
Due to this growth, developments to Dundas Street East from Main Street to Tenth line, are being improved.
But Dehn isn’t the only one concerned over the expanding town.
Noise, dust, timeline, and traffic flow were a few of the major concerns voiced by locals.
One resident emphasized the poor air quality and large amounts of dust.
The information presented was an overview of the work area, traffic stages, affected areas, lane restrictions, road closures and detour routes.
Dehn questioned the “unrealistic timelines” as the road closures span from June 2024 to Spring 2025.
Access to local homes, businesses and emergency services will be maintained throughout construction, stated Solmar.
Along with mail delivery and garbage collection.
The project is to install new sanitary sewers, storm sewers, watermains and a full road rehabilitation, including sidewalks, curbs and gutters.
The construction is in preparation of over 300 homes becoming occupied by the end of the year, Dehn stated.
“It’s really important to the new development … people are starting to move in, in the next three weeks, into that subdivision,” added Dehn.
More open house consults are set to come, to keep residents up to date with the construction stages.
Kapp Infrastructure will be doing the work on behalf of Solmar.
To voice concerns or questions email dundas@kappinfrastructure.com.
