Letter dated August 28, 2020 from S. & R. May, 31-14 Erskine Lane, Re: Proposed Development - 9 Erskine Lane

re: Development site at #9 Erskine Lane

As owners living at 14 Erskine Lane, we would like to voice our concern regarding the proposed development at #9 Erskine Lane. We would like to mention first, that we are not opposed to development in our area at all.

We have all ages living in our complex at 14 Erskine Lane. The density of the proposed complex at #9 Erskine Lane is a huge concern. The safety of pedestrians and cyclists needs to be addressed. A traffic analysis has been done, and it accounted for cars on Erskine Lane at certain times of the day. It does not appreciate the many neighbourhood residents (elderly included) that regularly go for walks, those that walk their dogs several times a day, people getting on and off the bus on Watkiss Way, school age children coming and going to school and those cyclists and walkers that use the Galloping Goose trail. It is a narrow, hilly lane that will not accommodate those that use it while construction of #9 and #7 Erskine Lane is taking place. We absolutely need somewhere to walk, a sidewalk, and a bike lane, somewhere out of harms way prior to construction taking place on these sites. It is unimaginable how Erskine Lane could ever accommodate the large dump trucks removing soil, driving past someone walking on the same road. Erskine Lane was not built originally for that kind of traffic at all. This absolutely needs to be addressed prior to construction.

The intersection of Watkiss Way & Erskine Lane also needs to be addressed. Traffic lights, or a roundabout with a pedestrian crossing needs to be in place to control the increase in traffic. The developer of #9 should be funding this controlled intersection with such an increase in vehicles from that site. Again, this needs to be addressed prior to construction. Safety is a huge issue regarding this development. Why does all the traffic from the #9 site have to come out onto Erskine Lane? Can Lot #2 be utilized in some way to have traffic enter/exit directly on Watkiss Way?

Parking on Erskine Lane is very limited. The developer should be required to have 2 levels of underground parking for the tenants living in the proposed development at #9. We understand the developer at the corner of Helmcken and Burnside has made those adjustments to his new development, and we believe it should be absolutely mandatory for this developer to do the same with such an increase in vehicles on Erskine Lane. There will definitely be an influx of vehicles using Erskine Lane. Not everyone rides bikes, buses or walks. It is naive to think otherwise.

A designated community playground included in the #9 development for children coming in to this area is essential. At this time, there is no where for children to play and with many more families living on site #9, it is absolutely needed.

Personally, we would much rather see a town house development go on site #9, with a maximum of 3 stories in height, rather than rental apartments,. It would be in keeping with the existing neighbourhood and would increase real estate value in this area. The proposed development does not look appealing at all and the tree removal needed for this proposed large development on site #9 is far too aggressive!

For the record, we are not pleased with this particular projected development on site #9. At some point in time, we know that #9 will be developed, but this projected development is just not a good design for this property on Erskine Lane.

As was mentioned in the beginning of this letter, we are not opposed to new development. We have been asked to give our views and feedback, and we do hope we have a voice. We enjoy living at 14 Erskine Lane and we hope you appreciate our valid concerns.

Sincerely,

Sylvia & Robin May #31-14 Erskine Lane