Dear Editor:
I attended the last meeting of the current Erin council to listen to the director of planning and a senior planner present one of the three proposed developments on the Erin Heights Golf course property.
Both presenters described the proposed development as in “keeping with the character of the town”. Nearly 290 high-density attached and detached homes are being proposed on the former golf course with a density of 20 units per hectare! There is nothing in their proposals, nor the other two developments across 8th Line that is in keeping with the character of our town. And the traffic studies for at least 2,000-plus cars have yet to be completed!
Furthermore, most of these detached homes are on 31 to 43-foot wide lots, with the majority having only one garage/single driveway. This kind of density is insanity to say the least and seems to be a clear example of putting the cart before the horse.
Frankly, I would of thought traffic and infrastructure studies done prior to any proposals would be dictating what level of housing density these three parcels of land and adjacent roadways could support. And I haven’t begun with the environmental impacts such a density would impose on a local level.
No, what I saw was our current slate of elected officials promoting what can only be described as an abomination for a small town that has so much potential.
Yes, growth is inevitable, but to go from decent-sized lots with decent-sized homes to what is being proposed is not a long-term strategy, but more like short-term greed.
So, I urge everyone to get out and vote and make a difference. The future of Erin is at stake.
Brett Davis,
Erin