Residents need better protection from blasting

Dear Editor: Citizens in Glenrosa need to be protected from the disturbing and potentially dangerous consequences of nearby blasting and construction. Many of us living in Glenrosa have fallen victim to an unleashed and relatively unchecked barrage of construction with negative impact in our neighbourhood. We live between Gorman’s mill and the Morningside subdivision. All residents in our area were aware that new subdivision development was going to happen in the future. However, the developers and contractors never accurately informed and communicated to residents the severity of blasting and the nuisance to be encountered by residents in the area.

Many in this neighbourhood are deÁated. We were prepared for a reasonable amount of disruption and expected there would be monitoring and management of construction to protect nearby people and property.

At a meeting with contractors, residents were told that: — Residents can move if we don’t like it. — The blasting permit has been approved and blasting will occur. — Trust the blasters and stop complaining. — If damages occur, contractors have insurance, but residents have to do the paperwork.

— Blasting companies will blast close to existing residents for as long as they want – there are no restrictions on a minimum blasting distance from existing residents.

— A Morningside resident’s comments were referred to as ignorant.

— The city considers the contractors/blasters as being excellent.

Moving forward, we suggest changes to current processes.

1. Blasting should not be allowed within a minimum distance from existing residences. Developers need to know the geology before they proceed with subdivision planning and blasting near homes (suggested within 100 metres).

2. Construction plans should protect existing neighbours – hours of operation, noise and nuisance factors, dust and burning controls, buffer gravel operations

3. Development needs to take place in a scheduled manner with timelines – an end in sight –

without surprises endless nuisance and shock from blasts. 4. Update meetings for residents should occur. 5. There should be regular monitoring by an “independent” third party

Although some level of discomfort is expected from new development, the apparent cowboy-style of construction and blasting so close to homes in the Glenrosa area is unacceptable. We hope that better ways are found to regulate and control these out-of-control situations and protect residents. David and Clarita Smith, Glenrosa