The following letter was sent to Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa and members of town council. A copy was forwarded to The Lake Report for publication.
Dear editor:
As residents of Mississagua Stret, we welcome some of the proposed upgrades, such as burying utilities, and providing new street lights; however, we also have the following concerns:
Mississagua Street from Mary to Queen borders the historic neighbourhood, with St Andrew’s church cemetery and some historic homes. It is flanked on both sides by tall, stately, old trees, which enhance and support the heritage aspect of the street.
Their presence sends a strong visual signal that Mississagua Street is an historic area. They help create an atmosphere loved by residents and visitors alike and provide much-needed shade during our hot summers; they house wildlife and enhance air quality.
It is shamefully ironic that 41 of these trees maybe sacrificed to allow more pavement — sidewalks and bike lanes — especially given the many efforts elsewhere in town to preserve NOTL’s built and natural heritage.
Taking down so many trees at once on one specific street is absurdly inconsistent with the town’s emphasis in preserving its historic ambience and further, is disrespectful, as if Mississagua Street is less important than other streets in the old town.
Obviously, trees that are in danger of falling must be removed for safety; otherwise, they should be left alone and the sidewalk/bike lanes, should be built around them.
At the open house event showcasing the proposal recently, the Town of NOTL representative, when asked, could not provide information as to the replacement of the trees: how many, when, what types etc.
Regardless, no matter what plan the town for replacing them, the immediate loss of 41 trees significantly and negatively impacts the street view overall, and further, it disrespects the history of Mississagua Street as an important entrance to/exit from the old town.
Sidewalks and bike lanes: We do not need both.
One shared paved pathway could easily accommodate both bikes and pedestrians and reduce the need to take down trees. We have noted as Mississagua Street residents that even during peak tourist season, bike and pedestrian traffic is not sufficient to require both bike lanes and sidewalk.
Parking: Adding both sidewalks and bike lanes will effectively eliminate any possible street parking for residents, contractors, visitors and those attending community events like St. Andrew’s Strawberry Festival or the NOTL Santa Claus parade.
Speed and safety: Mississagua Street, one of the main arteries into the old town area, is used daily by delivery trucks, construction vehicles, emergency vehicles and tour buses in addition to resident and visitor vehicles.
We have noted that many drivers use the long straight run along Mississauga Street from Mary to Queen to clip along at excessive speed, making a bike lane right next to traffic a dangerous proposition. This is another argument for having one shared bike path/walkway with a larger buffer zone between it and the road.
In addition, reduced speed limit and traffic-calming measures should be built into any future Mississagua Street improvements to make it safer for all.
In conclusion, too much focus is being placed on proposed infrastructure changes at the expense of the natural heritage and beauty of the treed streetscape.
It would better serve the community if a phased approach to the removal and replacement of trees were taken rather than a wholesale removal of all of the trees at once.
A multi-use path rather than two bike lanes and a sidewalk would make better and safer use of the limited space.
We trust that our interest in preserving the streetscape will assist you in taking better and more sustainable approach.
Karen Conderan and George Jager
Old Town
