Kincardine must enact planning amendment to prevent wanton acts of vandalism, says reader

By: Letter to the Editor August 23, 2016 1768

Kincardine must enact planning amendment to prevent wanton acts of vandalism, says reader

To the Editor:
RE: "Majestic maple trees removed from corner of Kincardine Avenue and Fraser Drive, Kincardine"

Monday, a local developer demonstrated a complete disregard for surrounding residents as he had all-but-one of the mature trees on the old farm property at 603 Kincardine Avenue felled (see Photo Gallery below). The developer has planning permission to build three semi-detached houses at the entrance to Fraser Drive, which is the only access point for the Willow West subdivision.

As a resident, I find it extremely disappointing that the Municipality of Kincardine has been unable to ensure that at least some of the trees on this property were saved.

The developer has even had the trees along the property line with houses on Duncan Place, cut down. These trees did not impede any approved building plans and would, in fact, have added to the desirability of the properties he proposes to build. It is clear to me that this developer has absolutely no respect for the Willow West residents who previously objected to his development plans.

The overarching question here is why the municipality has not seen fit to enact bylaws to protect trees from unnecessary removal during property development. Why?

I think most residents (and most enlightened developers) would agree that trees enhance their property and, from an environmental point of view, by adding shade trees, reduce air-conditioning costs and associated emissions during periods of high temperature. Add to this, the fact that these trees have been a stopping place for thousands of migrating birds and greatly added to the attractiveness of this area of Kincardine.

I respectfully suggest that council consider this issue and enact an appropriate amendment to municipal planning regulations to prevent further such wanton acts of vandalism by ‘couldn’t-care-less’ developers.

Paul van de Bospoort
Duncan Place
Kincardine

Editor's Note: According to the Kincardine chief building official, after the rezoning application for this property was refused in January, a consent application was applied for and approved by Bruce County, April 21. The application was for four severances and a retained parcel - one lot has the original house, and three vacant lots with the intent of constructing semi-detached units. All the property is zoned R1 (residential).