Monique Peters often has more to say during City Council meetings than some elected officials. In the latest in a series of impassioned public presentations, Peters raised concerns about recent surveying on Gorman Street and the possibility that the activity was connected to the proposed development of the Trans Canada Trail bicycle path.
Gorman Street is one of the city's narrowest, with parking restrictions year round, and snow removal issues throughout the winter months. Many residents showed up at Council to voice their displeasure about the potential route of the pathway.
Peters, who lives on Gorman, cited neighbour Roy Summers' July 25 presentation to Council as an indication that there is ample opposition to this route in particular.
Summers has created his own website detailing the potential hazards of converting the existing pathway along the beach west of King's Landing to a bike-friendly path. Summers has spent hours researching the proposed bike route and suggests an alternative route along Main Street West would be more prudent.
As part of her presentation, Peters told of being concerned with seeing City surveyors on her front lawn. When she asked what the men were doing, one replied, "We are marking for the Trans Canada Trail. We are doing the whole street."
Coun. Tanya Vrebosch responded to Peters' presentation by pointing out that this particular route was simply an "option." Vrebosch also assured those assembled that the communication would be improved when it came to notifying residents about any developments.
Thom Stewart, a Gorman resident for forty-plus years, told Council that at 45 feet, Gorman was much narrower than the standard city road of 66 feet. A bike trail would eliminate on-street parking and would hinder emergency vehicle access.
Stewart also offered that adding a bike trail to the already narrow street would prevent elderly residents who live nearby from walking along what is currently a safe pedestrian area.
Stewart also echoed Summers' recommendation that the Kate Pace Way be extended along Main West.
Carla Tucker, a new homeowner on Gorman, also appeared before Council to echo her neighbours' objections.
"It is a concern of mine, and we hope that we can find another place to put it. I don't agree that Gorman is the best place for that," declared Tucker.
Miles Peters, also a Gorman Street resident (no relation to Monique Peters) had strong words of caution for Council. "Any amateur could walk up the street," and see that it is not suitable.
"Money is being spent right now (on surveyors). What are the other options? We should narrow through public consultation what is most suitable before we spend the money."
Monique Peters asked Council to explain why she had received notice of a public meeting because she lived in the environs of the former Kenroc site, hundreds of metres from her home, but nothing for this proposed trail that is inches from her property?
For more on how another community has handled objections to the Trans Canada Trail, click here.
In correspondence with a Trans Canada Trail representative, Peters was advised that, "The Trans Canada Trail does not decide the route of the Trail as it crosses the country, but rather looks to the local groups (Discovery Routes) to determine the appropriate route...and looks to local groups to ensure appropriate consultation is completed."
Peters' response to the email stated clearly that she and the other Gorman Street residents do not oppose the Trail itself, but rather to the lack of consultation thus far in the process. "In a democratic society, we all have a say about things that affect our lives, and this did not happen here in the city of North Bay."
Coun. Mark King, who met with the concerned residents numerous times prior to Monday's Council meeting, said "The City's survey crews have been there. They are profiling the road, and then they determine if it makes sense to build a trail there."
King also said that he was not in favour of the Gorman option, and would prefer to see either the trail built on a Jane Street route that is still under consideration with Public Works or a possible trail cutting across the OVR land abutting Jet Street. An extension of the Kate Pace Way on the lake side of the new hotel would link perfectly to a new extension on the Kenroc property.
"I think it got a little blown out of proportion. This is going nowhere until it comes to Council," guaranteed King. "Nothing is going to transpire without proper consultation."
"Trans Canada Trail funding is available, that funding would have to be spent in 2017," said King. What the City will be on the hook for as part of this project remains unclear. A tie-in with city sewer repair along Harriet Street could be a cost-savings measure, similar to the bike path on the shoulder of College Drive being paved on top of recent sewer extension work.
"I understand what they're saying, and I am not receptive to that option. I was very upset. At the very least the residents should have known, we need to act in a more transparent way," said King.
Monique Peters concluded her time at the podium with, "The reason for my presentation is to make this a matter of public record that we're not happy. We want the Trail, but it's not an option for Gorman Street."
