Oakville residents complain new development will add to noise, safety issues
Published September 8, 2022 at 2:40 pm
Residents of a north Oakville communty say they are tired of all the noisy and dangerous truck traffic in their neighbourhood.
The residents used an Oakville planning committee meeting earlier this week to voice their concerns when the topic of construction of a nearby high school and industrial park came up on the agenda. They believe the added traffic will add to the noise.
While most agreed a new high school should be built on the 23 hectares of land at 103 Burnhamthorpe Rd., residents of Ivy Rouge subdivision used the meeting to say they want the trucks off Loyalist Trail.
Residents complained that trucks already bring too much noise into the neighbourhood and is dangerous for children walking along the same routes. Some questioned the Town’s wisdom in approving industrial traffic through areas that lead to schools.
“Aren’t you worried that lives are at risk? We need to care for those who are less able to protect themselves,” resident Brian Lamour told councillors adding that playgrounds, cycle paths and trails that children use are along approved truck routes. “We need to care for those who are less able to protect themselves. We need to reduce conflicting traffic and pedestrian issues.”
Ivy Rouge resident Naveen Doram says he still wants the school built, but said truck traffic plagues that area.
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“We don’t want access to the trucks through our Loyalist Trail,” Doram said. “It’s really not safe for the kids.”
He added that more needs to be done before going ahead with the plans for a high school and industrial park.
“We want the traffic study to be completed thoroughly with residents input,” Doram said.
Ward 2 Town Councillor Ray Chisholm said construction of the high school on the site is a “non-issue,” but suggested removing the designation that allows trucks through the local streets.
“Can we somehow put this in a motion or amendment for a further down discussion if we can eliminate the trucks,” asked Chisholm, whose request drew applause from residents in the council chambers.
Oakville Mayor Rob Burton was quick to point out that the entire subdivision and employment area has already been approved, saying in order to change it requires a direct motion.
Burton added that such an amendment would be “out of order” because the discussion of the truck traffic in the nearby subdivision and the high school has nothing to do with each other.
The mayor expressed several times during the meeting the need for a high school in the area.
“They’re (the residents) using the opportunity of this matter to camp on their concern about trucks in their subdivision, which was approved long ago enough for them to be living in it now,” he said. “This is a ‘we want our subdivision changed.’
“What they’re saying is thanks for the opportunity to tell you about this other matter we’re concerned about. . .what they want is their subdivision changed. There’s a process to try to do that. This isn’t it.”
Local resident Matthew Wallace said the matter must be dealt with before any high school and field is built there.
“If the school is built on Sixth Line and Loyalist Trail, a few hundred metres away from an industrial area across from the fire station, then Loyalist Trail can not be used as a truck route,” Wallace said. “Otherwise my family and I do not agree with the school being built in this particular area. I like to make that clear for the residents too, we’re not against the high school, just this area’s not conducive to this phase.”
“Either find a new school site, or change Loyalist Trail’s allowance for trucks, he added.
Council approved the plans by Sixth Oak Inc. for development of the land, located on the northwest corner of Burnhamthorpe Rd. and Sixth Line.
Along with the school, the area will include factories, a stormwater management pond and heritage areas associated with the West Morrison Creek and woodlot.
Plans for the school, which is fully funded by the province, include a day care, future administrative building, an area for future portables and a lit sport field with consideration of a dome to allow for around-the-year use.
The opening is targeted for 2025.
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