Morriston resident Jeffrey Blythe is not satisfied with Puslinch council’s reluctance to wade into water concerns he says were caused by a local residential development.
On Sept. 5 Blythe approached council seeking a resolution regarding a requested sound survey for the DRS Developments near Queen Street.
He also requested a report on increased surface water levels on existing residential properties near the development.
Blythe said water levels are rising on more than one property.
He said residents had asked for a sound study related to the placement of homes near a highway and the impact on neighbouring homes. He asked about the potential of a solid fence and installation of trees and shrubs.
Blythe said as the process leading to the development carried on, residents again asked about the sound survey, at which point he was handed a document dating back to 2014.
“That survey is quite inadequate,” Blythe said.
Blythe agreed that because there is no zoning change a sound survey is not required, but he noted most municipalities have a cap on noise impacts.
“Our objective was not to stop the DRS Development, but to mitigate any damages which might occur on our side of the property,” he said.
He anticipated residents of the new development would be installing a solid fence along the highway, which in turn would reflect the noise.
Blythe added it could be a moot issue after the Morriston bypass is constructed to redirect traffic away from Morriston. But he said he believes there could have been pre-development or post-development steps taken to mitigate the noise for the four residential houses across the street.
He added residents affected do not have the option of installing solid fences across their properties, which front onto Queen Street (Highway 6).
Blythe also wanted something done to address flooding, which he contends is a result of the DRS Development.
“For the first time, I have a small pond forming on the rear of my property,” he said.
Noting the flooding occurred during a time of drought, Blythe wonders what will happen during normal rainfalls.
Councillor John Sepulis asked whether the flooding was related to dewatering for the construction of the development. Blythe said the flooding was reported to Halton Conservation.
Sepulis said he understands the desire for a sound survey.
CAO Karen Landry said the township already has an agreement in place that sets out the obligations of the developer. She did not recommend asking for changes at this point.
Mayor Dennis Lever said since an agreement was reached with the developer, extra costs for a sound survey would be borne by the township.
Landry said even if a sound survey was commissioned, council would need to provide direction on its scope and the information being sought.
As to the water levels, Blythe said Halton Conservation determined the Queen Street properties are located in a flood plain, but he maintains the flooding is a result of the development.
While councillor Susan Fielding empathized with the concerns raised, she was uncertain about council asking the developer to make changes. She said one of the issues is the assumption that a fence would be built – “I am not sure what our obligation would be.”
Landry said the township bylaw regulates the height of fences.
Mayor Lever asked that the item come back to council with possible options. He said “we have an agreement with the developer and I think we have to live by it.”
Lever suggested that if the township reopens this agreement to make changes, they would get similar requests from other developers. He said if Conservation Halton has not recognized it as a problem, it might be a challenge for the township to take action.
“Okay. You understand this has been very unsatisfactory (council’s response),” Blythe said as he left the council chamber.
