Letter from neighbour at 238 Helmcken Rd – February 24, 2019

Development Variance Application for 240 Helmcken Rd (01-401-04623.010)

February 3rd, 2019

Dear Mayor Screech, Councillors Kowalewich, Lemon, Mattson, Rogers,

Our family moved into our home 240 Helmcken rd. in August 2017. We are enjoying our new neighbourhood and home. One of the things we quickly noted was how dangerous the North East side of our property was. We have young children and their grandparents, one with Alzheimers, who live in the suite in our home.

The North east side of our property has a sharp drop off with a damaged, jagged retaining wall. In places the rebar was showing through and as there was no fence or barrier, it posed a safety hazard for our children and could possibly become dangerous should the grandparent’s health deteriorate.

It currently dropped off quite close to our home and so we wanted to ensure our homes’ footings would be secure for many more years.

We began researching redoing the retaining wall, in order to put a low fence on top for safety purposes. We had our property line surveyed and have hired Cat’s Eye Contracting to complete the work.

Please find the attached documents outlining the work to be completed in order to create a safety barrier on this side of our property, and permit us to garden and beautify our front lot.

Part of the work included cleaning up debris from the property line, removing invasive ivy and daphne and it is our intention to purchase some plants for our neighbours so they can plant in front of the retaining wall that will be visible from their back lot.

Sincerely,

Catherine & Nathanael Lisimaque

After thoroughly reviewing the build and structure, we have determined that plugging or filling in the holes in the wall facing our side of the property needs to be done to ensure our concerns have been addressed to our satisfaction with regards to stopping and completely removing any possibility of water drainage from your property onto our side is maintained at all times. After my concern is addressed, I see no potential objection to the structure and provide my written consent to its completion only on the basis that my main concern is factored into all of the structural and specifical plans pertaining to the wall. At no point in the future or before its completion should any amount of water leak or drain from your property to mine.

Munir Feb 24/19