Correspondence from Chris & Nancy Stewart Re: REQUEST TO AMEND COVENANT FOR ERSKINE LANE / WATKISS WAY ROUNDABOUT
Letter supporting the construction of a signalized intersection instead of a roundabout at Erskine Lane and Watkiss Way to preserve mature trees and improve safety for a daycare.
From: Chris Stewart Sent: Monday, September 11, 2023 10:02 PM To: Mayor And Council Email mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca Subject: RE: REQUEST TO AMEND COVENANT FOR ERSKINE LANE / WATKISS WAY ROUNDABOUT
Chris & Nancy Stewart 22 Erskine Lane Victoria, BC V8Z 1R7
Mayor Sid Tobias 45 View Royal Avenue Victoria BC V9B 1A6
Dear Mayor Tobias and Honourable Council Members,
I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. I am writing in support of the proposal that a signalized intersection be constructed instead of a roundabout at the intersection of Erskine Lane and Watkiss Way.
Our concerns about the originally proposed roundabout are numerous and a signalized intersection would address almost all of those concerns.
First and foremost, the introduction of a roundabout would completely destroy our corner, with its mature trees and the beloved large Douglas fir, which is not only a symbol of our community's charm but also provides much-needed shade and visual appeal.
The proposed roundabout would result in the loss of these cherished trees along with the trees on the opposite side of Watkiss Way at the Stoneridge entrance. This would be a great loss to our community and the environment as a whole. Furthermore, the excavation work on the corner is likely to also kill our cedar hedge thereby eroding our privacy and the privacy of the daycare children, which we hold dear. We also have a genuine concern that a runaway car within a roundabout could potentially crash through our hedge and cause harm to the daycare children in the event of an accident.
Additionally, we propose reducing the speed limit to 40km/h along Watkiss Avenue. This would not only promote safer driving practices but also make the area safer for pedestrians, particularly the daycare children who are being dropped off and picked up throughout the day. Furthermore, we are open to the installation of a speed bump on Erskine Lane in front of our house as a further measure to deter speeding vehicles.
Our daycare parents already face difficulties when attempting to back into our driveway. The introduction of a roundabout would exacerbate this problem, making it nearly impossible for them to navigate safely. To alleviate this concern, we kindly request the designation of two parking spots in front of our house along the new sidewalk across Erskine for the purpose of drop-off and pick-up, with a maximum of ten-minute parking, to facilitate daycare parents or for the use of the new residents of the apartment buildings.
Lastly, it is worth noting that the daycare children greatly enjoy playing in the trees on our corner. To preserve their enjoyment and the overall character of our neighborhood, we would request relocating the corner hydro post to the opposite side, in line with the placement of other posts down Erskine Street. This adjustment would help avoid the destruction of the trees on our corner.
In conclusion, we believe that building a signalized intersection rather than a roundabout can effectively address safety concerns and the increase in traffic volume while minimizing the impact to the beauty and tranquility of our neighborhood.
We appreciate your attention to our concerns and look forward to a productive dialogue to find solutions that benefit our entire community. Thank you for your dedication to making our town a better place for all its residents.
Sincerely,
Chris & Nancy Stewart