Correspondence: The Gardens at Aldersmith Strata Council

The Gardens at Aldersmith

June 8, 2015

The Honourable Mayor of the Town of View Royal and Council

Subject: Proposed Changes to Hallowell Road

We, the Strata Council (VIS4909) on behalf of the unit owners at 126 Hallowell Road, have numerous issues related to the proposed changes to Hallowell Road in relation to the extension of the E&N Rail Trail.

We request a meeting with the Town of View Royal to discuss the negative impact to local residents as follows:

• The introduction of industrial use along Hallowell Road will decrease the market values of our homes.
• Industrial use will reduce our quality of life due to noise, dust and fumes from an increase in traffic and the daily operation of the Trio site and from mulch. Steer manure, etc.
• The noise and vibration created by the heavier trucks on Hallowell Road.
• Increased traffic due to new access to the Esquimalt Nation lands off Hallowell Road.
• Dust and potential contamination from concrete transported in the larger mixed concrete trucks.
• Dust pollution and our inability to keep our windows /doors open, a health hazard for everyone in the neighbourhood, especially those with lung issue
• Incremental increased use of the road by heavy trucks as the current business (Ralmax) continues to expand and grow over the years.
• Transporting barge loads of sand, gravel and concrete and possible contaminated soil. This has already happened in the past with as many as 85 trucks a day for five months.
• Parking stalls and individual's driveways within the proposed new access lane will have limited space to back-up safely.
• Outlook Lane needs a clearer view of Hallowell Road to allow cars to turn left in a safe manner.

How and who will monitor and enforce the current and future use of Hallowell Road. It is apparent that the existing situation is not working. We would like to bring to your attention the fact that there are a number of heavy trucks accessing the Trio site at the end of Hallowell Road which contravenes the current ban in place. Gravel is splayed on the road and not cleared up posing a risk to cyclists as well as pedestrians. We request this issue be dealt with immediately and would like to know how future enforcement will be handled.

We also would like to make the following suggestions:

• Per a discussion with John Rogers, Councillor of View Royal, it is possible that both lanes on Hallowell Road would be needed on the house side of the barrier. We request this option be developed further.
• We suggest a street sweeper and a water truck be applied to the road once or twice daily.
• We request more research into the type of retaining wall for the proposed new plan. What are the options for materials which can block the noise and absorb the exhaust from the concrete trucks and to what degree?
• We require a review of the parking situation on Hallowell Road.
• New filtration is required on the concrete plant to reduce dust.
• Reduce speed limit to 20 km/hr to control traffic flow.

Finally, as the neighbouring community most affected by the proposed changes to Hallowell Road, we need to know what this will mean in terms of increased traffic. Other things need to be considered as well - the growth of industrialization in the area; future land use such as development at Thetis Cove; large projects involving the Salish Seas dredging operation; increased bicycle traffic with the opening of the E&N Rail Trail.

It is obvious to us that Hallowell Road is in the process of becoming a major transportation corridor. We do not feel that this is being acknowledged by the Town. We do not want this to happen.

We believe the last traffic study was done over 10 years ago and did not consider the increased industrialization in the area. We feel it is our right to know what factors will impact traffic along Hallowell Road.

Before any decisions regarding the E&N Rail Trail are made, we respectfully request that the Town of View Royal do a projected, comprehensive traffic study that encompasses 10 to 15 years.

Sincerely,

Dianne Gregg

President VIS4909 Strata Council

pc: Capital Regional District, Attention: Sue Hallett, Aboriginal Relations Josh Frederick, Engineering