Correspondence: Points for inclusion (File #DVP23-0005) — Letter from Kelly & Shandra Walter

Correspondence: Points for inclusion (File #DVP23-0005) — Letter from Kelly & Shandra Walter

Points for inclusion on agenda for August 14th Meeting (File #DVP23-0005)

As residents of an adjoining property to the proposed development we wanted to take the time to express our concerns. This development will have a negative impact on us, the other adjoining neighbors and the neighborhood as a whole.

The proposed development is out of scale with the rest of the neighborhood and is visually incongruous. Our motivations for purchasing in this neighborhood were the spaciousness of the lots, the privacy provided by the lush greenery, and the serenity of the area. We chose to pay higher prices and yearly taxes for our home to be able to enjoy this quiet beauty. Our lot is a (now defunct) strata lot which stated that no more than one residence was permitted on each property, assumably to protect against over densifying the area and ensuring that the people purchasing the property would have their investment protected. We relied on the zoning bylaws to protect us from infills and increased density that the other areas in Langford may be experiencing and are writing this letter to you today in hopes that our investments will continue to be protected.

Primary concerns

Blasting and clearing

Our concerns are numerous but in order of importance, blasting and clearing of the site is at the top of the list. We have endured, and continue to endure the constant blasting (over almost the last 2 years) due to the Thetis Heights development directly across from Rason Road. Our house has been damaged and we have made numerous complaints, none of which have been addressed and we are distressed about how the blasting will further damage our home.

We are concerned about the impact not only of the loss of shading and greenery from the development site, but also from the root systems of the surrounding trees in our own yards being impacted by the blasting and clearing. We would like expert opinion on whether construction, neighboring tree removal and blasting in an area surrounded by large trees significantly increases the likelihood of trees falling, placing lives at risk. What are the plans for ensuring tree root systems that are loosened during construction don’t jeopardize the safety of our home or our neighbor’s homes? Also, what guarantees are there our trees won’t die off due to the construction and blasting? You can’t replace years old trees. Is an independent arborist going to be making a report and checking on the safety of the blasting on the trees adjacent to the property?

Coincidentally, the South bank of the house is showing signs of erosion since the blasting started across Rason Road so these are all real, valid concerns. The tree roots that border our house on the proposed building site (654 Rason Rd) also help keep that bank in check and hold the soil in. In addition, there is a massive rock that crosses into our yard on the proposed site and so, understandably, we are concerned about blasting 30-40 feet from our house. We already have damage that we can’t start repairing until all the blasting is done across Rason Road so this could significantly push the repair timeline back. In addition to trees there are many nesting birds including owls and other wildlife that would be affected by the decimation of the habitat.

Driveway, proximity and privacy

The driveway is slated to run alongside the fence which separates our property from the proposed development property. Our two outside decks, kitchen, dining room and master bedroom are all located very close to the property line. Additionally, decades old trees which shelter the lots and provide wildlife habitat would need to be removed, to fulfill the proposed plan. The level of density made possible by this proposal, destroys the character of the neighborhood and changes the entire streetscape. It greatly affects the quiet use and enjoyment of our property which is our legal right.

We also built a patio area not attached to the house (shortly after the construction across from Rason Road started) on the East side of the house to have a quieter place to retreat to and with this proposed development next door we would be looking directly into a neighbor’s house and yard as opposed to our current view of trees and nature, which leads to the issue of privacy.

After looking at the plans, we determined that there would certainly be various privacy issues with the homes being so close. What we deem to be the overbuilding of this lot and its application to encroach on to our side yard is unacceptable in our opinion. It would give us a visual intrusion into our yard and would affect our private enjoyment and family time. In addition, having a house so close it would affect our views and light as our back yard would be blocked by the side of a neighbor’s house not to mention that fences would have to be redone. The elevation of the back of the yard of 654 Rason Rd is much higher than the front and this would considerably affect privacy, leaving us feeling exposed and unable to enjoy the back or side yard.

Traffic, parking, noise and neighbourhood character

With all the preceding points in mind, we must look at the overall effect this will have on the property value of the adjacent homes. There will be cars parked on the driveway which if you look at the plans for the driveway you could see if there were only 2 cars per dwelling visitors and/or extra cars would be spilling out onto the street parked in front of our house, and not even the proposed development as that lot doesn’t have space for parking out front. This affects the entire neighborhood, not just the adjacent properties.

The proposed development is right across from the Trudy Terrace entrance where 60+ homes are being developed and this is the only way in for them so we will already see an increase in traffic/parking and congestion. Excessive noise, reduced views and more congestion in the street and reduced residential privacy. Essentially, everything that we value and moved here for.

Zoning and density concerns

We are unable to determine how it is possible to allow the developer to proceed when there appears to be no good or valid reason for changing the existing zoning on this property other than profit. The proposed development is solely for the benefit of the developer, not the existing property and owners who have been here for years and have built it into a community. We are under the impression that R2 lots are only for 1 and 2 families (max) residential, so we are looking for an understanding of how 3 homes are being proposed in an area where this doesn’t make sense.

Please consider the following question… if you were a buyer and had the option to purchase a home in our neighborhood as it sits today or one where you had 3 homes crammed on one lot, parking disruptions and noise because of the increased density which would you choose. We will lose property value and that is the simple truth.

Sincerely,

Kelly & Shandra Walter
658 Rason Road