Correspondence from S. Beach re: OCP and Rezoning Application - 2401 Burnside Road West

Via email

Good Afternoon,

My name is Sharon Beach and I live at 2297 Meadow Vale Drive. I was recently made aware of the proposal to locate a new HandyDart Facility at 2401 Burnside Road West (as Watkiss Way).

My concerns regarding this proposal are as follows:

1. I can’t imagine why this type of project is being considered for the Town of View Royal. It contradicts the Township’s vision of “Livable, Green, Sustainable”. The establishment of this type of a facility in View Royal is not Livable, nor Green, nor Sustainable.

2. Parkland is scarce enough within the region, I do not believe that an area designated as Park, Open Space and Recreation in the Official Community Plan should be changed to allow for the construction of the HandyDART facility. For the enjoyment of View Royal residents, parkland within View Royal is an important commodity to protect.

3. In my opinion, a facility of this type should be located in a light industrial or industrial area, not in a Park, Open Space and Recreation area with residential properties bordering the area.

4. The proposed location is not suitable for a number of reasons including:

   a) Close proximity to Eagle View Elementary School and the safety of the children going to and leaving from school. b) Heavy traffic from the Galloping Goose Trail of cyclists and pedestrians. c) Already a busy intersection with traffic, enough so, that the four way stop was recently replaced by traffic lights. To add potentially 115 HandyDART buses and 112 employee vehicles to an already congested area would cause significant traffic and safety concerns. d) Residential properties in very close proximity to the proposed location. e) I understand that the intended use of the vacant Juvenile Detention Centre is to use it for a rehabilitation centre to treat substance abuse. I wouldn’t expect that the continual noise that would take place at a HandyDART facility would be conducive to promoting a calm and quite environment required to be treated for substance abuse.

5. If this proposal is approved it would:

   a) Increase noise pollution in the area. This would include the movement of the HandyDART vehicles, within the compound, and the accompanying backing signals going on continually from early morning to late evening (4:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.). There would be addition noise pollution from the maintenance yard itself. b) Significantly increase air pollution in the area to unacceptable levels. c) Significantly affect property values within the area surrounding the proposed facilities. d) Cause possible negative impacts on the salmon bearing Craigflower Creek. e) Significantly increase traffic in the area. Not only with the HandyDART vehicles but also the 112 employees who are expected to work there.

For the reasons mentioned above, I feel that this site is not well suited for this type of facility and it would be better suited to be located in a semi industrial/industrial area.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sharon Beach