Email dated September 13, 2020 from J. Hyndman, Re: Proposed development at 9 Erskine Lane
Detailed email from Jilly Hyndman outlining concerns regarding resident safety, parking shortages, privacy loss, and the environmental impact on mature trees.
From: Jilly Hyndman Sent: Sunday, September 13, 2020 10:53 AM To: Mayor And Council Email mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca Subject: Proposed development at 9 Erskine Lane
Hello,
I'm writing to voice my concern about the proposed development at 9 Erskine Lane. While I welcome new neighbours to our wonderful neighbourhood, I have concerns with some of the features of the development proposed for this location. It is heartening to see the proposal has been amended recently to address some of these, but I will take this opportunity to address the ongoing concerns this development raises for its immediate neighbours:
1. Safety to current and future residents
- Pedestrians and cyclists need sidewalks and a bike lane connecting Watkiss to the Galloping Goose BEFORE construction begins. Sight lines on Erskine in particular are challenging and as my yard backs Erskine, I have witnessed numerous near-misses between motorists, cyclists and pedestrians, many of whom are children or elders.
- A controlled intersection (either lights or a roundabout with pedestrian crossings) at Watkiss and Erskine/Stoneridge is required BEFORE construction starts to manage increased traffic volumes, including both construction vehicles and future resident vehicles. The proposal's premise that bus passes, shared vehicles and electric bikes will alleviate vehicle traffic in the area seems unrealistic, given that many current residents in this area have 2, 3 and 4 vehicles per household.
- Traffic speed control will be required on Erskine Lane during construction.
- The developer should pursue access from the hospital bus area, through Lot 2, to limit traffic on Erskine Lane, which was not designed for this level of traffic volume.
2. Parking
- The proposal includes limited guest/visitor parking, which will mean that residents and visitors to 9 Erskine will park on the street, further impacting safety and availability of parking for existing residents of Erskine Lane and Stoneridge and their visitors; therefore MORE underground and visitor parking on the property is required.
3. Privacy
- Shrubs/hedges need to be installed BEFORE construction begins to maintain the privacy of existing residents along Erskine Lane and Watkiss Way, and mitigate dust and noise from construction vehicles.
4. Impact to mature trees and natural green space
- The proposal seeks to remove most of the mature trees on the property, including arbutus and protected Garry Oak. The developer's renderings show apartment buildings on blasted level ground, which is very different from the current topography, and will displace wildlife from this natural forested area. From the developer's drawings, this proposal looks better suited to Langford's approach to development, not View Royal's.
- As well, images on the developer's website show the property at #7 Erskine as fully treed, but in reality, a development permit has been approved for apartments on that site, so those trees will also be removed. This imagery provides a false representation of the actual impact of the proposed development.
- Localized parkland and green space must be preserved to ensure the quality of life residents have come to enjoy.
Thank you for taking the time to review these concerns. I look forward to Council making informed and conscientious decisions about the future of our community that balance growth and development with our wonderful quality of life.
Regards,
Jilly Hyndman #76 - 14 Erskine Lane