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7 | Friday, March 25, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Resident argues proposed 20-storey condo would impact public safety in Bronte There are many reasons to reject the proposed development on the north-east corner of Lakeshore Road and East Street, in Bronte, but I will focus on just one -- public safety. The proposal calls for two levels of commercial/retail space right up to the edge of the sidewalk on East Street. There are 10 high-rise apartment buildings and many single-family homes in the area east of the development site housing more than 2,000 people. When shopping, many in the area walk and take the shortest route. For these local residents, the shortest route to the retail stores located on Lakeshore Road is along East Street passing the proposed development site. The developer's proposal calls for 144 condominium units and five levels of underground parking for 247 vehicles. These vehicles will exit and enter the building on East Street. 1. If the developer is allowed to build two levels of commercial/retail space right up to the sidewalk, the exit from the garage will present a serious safety issue for pedestrians. When exiting the garage, a driver will not see pedestrians until the vehicle starts to cross the sidewalk. I have witnessed many close calls in downtown Toronto where there are several garage exits from buildings that front the sidewalk. Pedestrians in the area tend to be agile, young and middle-aged people, but they are constantly put at risk when passing a garage exit. 2. The pedestrians on East Street in Bronte tend to be retired and seniors, many with mobility challenges and some using mobility aids. For them, the proposed garage exit on East Street is a serious public safety issue. 3. Due to limited indoor parking, most of the building's commercial/retail customers will use the same sidewalk. If these businesses are successful, at times, there will be pedestrian congestion and people may well be forced to step off the sidewalk. This is unacceptable. 4. Lakeshore Road in Bronte Village is regularly congested during rush hour and the summer. This encourages impatient commuters to use Marine Drive between Third Line and Bronte Road as an alternative; often exceeding the speed limit and barely hesitating at stop signs. Again, a public safety issue. It would be unwise to ignore these issues and put the lives of local residents at increased risk. Let's learn from past miscalculations. 5. The Bronte building, as proposed, would be closer to the south side of Lakeshore Road than any other building between Third Line and East Street and would impede any future road widening. 6. Most sidewalks in Bronte, including East Street, allow two people to walk side-by-side and residents continually have to walk single file to pass oncoming pedestrians. Let's not repeat mistakes. Today, the footprint of the proposed building is far too large for the size of the property, let alone future impact. Let common sense prevail. A building of six storeys (four and two `bonused') would comply with the existing by-laws, help Oakville council achieve the artificially-imposed target of providing accommodations for 3,000 additional residents in Ward 1 and could be built to address serious public safety concerns of local residents. For the reasons stated, I strongly oppose the proposal to construct the building to the edge of the sidewalk and, further, oppose the construction of any structure that requires an Official Plan, Livable Oakville Plan or by-law amendment. The proposed development represents significant intensification resulting in unacceptable over-development at this location on Lakeshore Road in Bronte. Philip J. Boyd, Oakville Letters to the Editor They deserve support in their time of need continued from p.6 vention and treatment of these conditions. 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