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WM Hill!) CHRONICUE . Wednesday, October , I , ?.007 Great o rtun' for Stung? PartI-ttyime Employmen'l As a Laidlaw _ " V School Bus Driver Opemngs NOW In _ " Kitchener, Cambrl " Waterloo, Baden, & New Hamburg " a Free Professional framing Well suited for Recent Retirees Ideal for stay-at-home Moms or Dads Great pan-time Income Enhanced employee discount program EDUCATION SERVICES their opposition to proposed develop- menus that could add l.600 more homes to the west side of the city. on lands that the groups argue are vital to local groundwater recharge. "Do we really want to build another subdivision that is isolated from ameni- ties and other things essential to a healthy community?" asked Lanteigne. "If we build here how much more will it cost our water infrastructure? Continued from page I Groups still trying to figure out number of appeals "How much more in smog-related illness costs are we going to have to pay? 7 A _ _ Regional planning commissioner Rob Home thinks those concerns have been more than addressed by city and regional staff in giving his final approval on Oct. 19. He submitted a multi-page memo to regional council last week addressing the concerns raised about groundwater safety. natural habitat pro- tection and wider environmental impacts raised by local residents at a public meeting at Waterloo city council this summer. salamander in the vicinity of the pro- posed subdivisions. Regional staff has consulted with the Ministry of the Envi- ronment and are confident that any potential salamander habitat has been appropriately protected. More importantly, he said that he was comfortable that concerns over water safety and quality were answered and that the future development will see some of the most up-to-date envi- ronmental practices used by the devel- oper. "This development will feature envi- ronmental best practices and will be constantly monitored during the approval and building process," said Home in an interview with the Chroni- cle. In his final report to council he also addressed issues regarding the Vesper sparrow, traffic and noise impacts, the clean water collection system and rain barrels. annual , Ch P113 b78593 OPEN H o USE traffic impacts on what is essentially a country road. In conclusion he wrote: "Regional staff. city staff and the public share a common goal of containing growth, protecting the natural environment and creating livable communities. Through the proper implementation of condi- tions of draft approval, regional stall is satisfied that these goals will be achieved for the west-side Lands." Lanteigne said opponents to the plan are co-ordinaling their efforts and trying lo figure out if they have m appeal all three draft plan approvals for Vista Hills and its neighbouring subdi, visions. or whether one would suffice. She thinks the issues local citizens have with all three subdivisions could be addressed in one overarching appeal, but they're still trying to figure out if that's possible under the OMB's guidelines.