Dear Editor:
RE: New 332-unit subdivision proposed in Hillsburgh, April 21.
If the subdivision is approved, I’ll be sad to see more farmland disappear. In compensation for losing the farmland and being cognizant of the climate emergency, I hope the planners will do some or all of the following:
1) Set aside space for community gardens so that some of the land can still provide wholesome food;
2) While the ground is being dug up, this would be an ideal time to install the infrastructure for geothermal heating and cooling for the new community, thus removing the need for natural gas piping and avoiding many tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions;
3) Insulate and air seal the homes to the highest standard to minimize heating and cooling costs;
4) Install solar panels on all the rooftops to provide electricity to power most of the homes’ electrical needs such as heating, cooling, running electrical appliances and charging their electric vehicles – the solar panels on my own roof, along with battery backup, provide the major part of all the electrical requirements for my home including heating and cooling with a heat pump, running all the appliances and charging my car.
The initial cost will be higher, but the operating costs will be minimal along with the benefits of a low carbon footprint, low reliance on the grid and no burning of fossil fuels.
Such a subdivision would show leadership and vision by the Town of Erin and would be a draw for people concerned about our future.
Ron Moore,
Hillsburgh