Residents split on Sauvé transportation depot zoning change

A public meeting on a proposed zoning change to build a transportation depot at Highway 34 and Aberdeen Road heard from two groups of residents with entirely different opinions on the matter.

The 3.7-acre parcel of land is currently owned by Mike Sauvé and the depot would be used year-round by truck traffic for Mike’s Waste Disposal. It has a frontage of 11.5 metres on Aberdeen Road West and is mainly covered by a woodlot, while all four surrounding lands include residential areas.

“There was the idling, in the evening, and the downshifting of trucks, which was very repetitious, in the middle of the night,” Regnier said. “We already have a lot of traffic, noise, and dust.”

Neighbouring resident Brian Murray said “this thing came to a head” in June, when he was woken up around 2:30 a.m. by the sound of starting trucks – only to fall asleep and be awoken again a short time later. “I strongly object to it,” he said. “I would further state that if this is passed, my house will go up for sale and anyone can buy it.”

Champlain Mayor Gary Barton assured residents that council members will wait to read the township planner’s detailed report on the zoning change before making a decision. That vote could be made at the council meeting next Wednesday, October 5.

“We know you aren’t in favour, but we try to make decisions for the best of everyone,” Barton said.

When asked, Sauvé said the depot would likely see an average of five to six trucks per day, up to a maximum of 10. Those numbers were used by another guest at the meeting, Ross Saunders, in an attempt to appease the upset residents.

“If you’re living on Highway 34, with a highway frequency of traffic, how is five or six trucks going to make any difference? Also, from noise pollution, having a couple more trucks?” Saunders asked, looking across the room.

Despite those reassurances, at least two other residents reiterated to council members that the location is not suitable for a truck depot.

“No matter how new, no matter how well this is maintained, if it becomes a depot, there goes your buffer zone,” said nearby resident Romy Eichler, adding that she “understands” Sauvé’s need for a location somewhere in the township.

Finally, Jean-Paul Laframboise spoke at length about his reasons for opposing the creation of a depot across from his property, including air and noise pollution during the morning, day and night; the potential for site and groundwater contamination; the devaluation of adjacent properties; and the possibility of rats, mice and unpleasant odours.

“I don’t see any advantage for the neighbours of this site,” he said. “We chose to live here because of the rural designation. Our choice was based on quality of life and our health and the absence of noise pollution; more and more, people are voicing concerns about this.”

He directed his final comment at council: “Ask yourselves, ‘Would I be ready to tolerate this within a few metres of my home?’ You are the guardians of our interests.”

If the zoning change is approved, the township would ask for a site plan to determine where trucks and trailers will park, as well as setbacks from property lines and existing houses.