Letter to the Editor

I am writing to express my strong concern over the current zoning of a property within the predominantly residential neighborhood of Slaterville as M3 – Heavy Industrial, and the troubling plans by the new property owner to use the site for storing gravel, rock, and heavy industrial equipment, including a rock thrower conveyor machine for material distribution.

As a member of this community, I feel it is important to highlight the significant risks and long-term consequences associated with this zoning decision.

Industrial activity of this scale poses serious risks to our community, particularly in terms of roadway, vehicular, and pedestrian safety. The lack of adequate sidewalks, curbs, and gutters throughout much of the neighborhood already jeopardizes the safety and well-being of residents. This deficiency is especially hazardous to pedestrians, including children, the elderly, and those with disabilities. The streets themselves are narrow, single-lane roads with blind intersections and hidden driveways, which create significant visibility challenges.

These conditions make the area completely unsuited and ill-equipped to handle the size and frequency of industrial truck and equipment traffic. As it stands, these roads already pose daily hazards—introducing more trucks and equipment will only heighten the likelihood of accidents, endangering both vehicles and pedestrians, including schoolchildren and elderly residents who regularly walk these streets.

The infrastructure is wholly inadequate to support the demands of an M3 zone. There is no appropriate stormwater management, traffic control or signage, lighting, turning radii, sufficient shoulders or road reinforcement to handle the stress of frequent industrial use.

This kind of zoning is incompatible with the residential nature of Slaterville and clearly violates the Slaterville Neighborhood Plan, which prioritizes low-impact, community-centered development.

Additionally, the presence of heavy equipment near overhead electrical lines raises significant safety concerns that have not been addressed. These lines were not installed with industrial machinery in mind and could pose fire or electrocution hazards.

Beyond safety and infrastructure, the planned use will significantly degrade the aesthetic value of the neighborhood. The noise, dust, and visual intrusion of a rock thrower conveyor and gravel piles will irreparably damage the peaceful, rural character our community values.

Furthermore, the property values of surrounding homes will inevitably decline as prospective buyers shy away from homes located near industrial operations, leaving residents to bear the financial burden of a decision they had no voice in.

Longtime residents who have invested in their homes and community now face the prospect of seeing that value undermined.

Slaterville is a residential area, not an industrial zone. This zoning and proposed use do not reflect the vision, safety, or well-being of the families who live here. The Slaterville Neighborhood Plan prioritizes residential development, environmental preservation, and community cohesion. To disregard that plan is to ignore the collective voice and vision of the residents who helped shape it.

It is especially disheartening to note that despite these pressing concerns, our community’s request to be added to the city council agenda and have our voices heard was denied. This rejection reflects a troubling disregard for the safety of Slaterville’s residents, who deserve a platform to raise concerns and advocate for necessary changes.

Our residents are directly impacted by these issues, and we should have the opportunity to present our case to the council in a public forum.

We urge the planning authorities and community leaders to reconsider and revoke this zoning designation in favor of a land use that aligns with our neighborhood’s values and long-term interests. A truly sustainable and thriving community requires zoning decisions that prioritize the health, safety, and well-being of its residents—not just short-term industrial gains.

Lynden Lehman,

on behalf of the Slaterville neighbourhood residents

Article Share