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4- The Oakville Beaver, Friday November 7, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com Opposition mounts against Kerr Street diversion plan By Kim Arnott SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER A proposal to divert Kerr Street traffic through what is currently a peaceful residential neighbourhood will be firmly rejected on Monday night, if Ward 2 Councillor Cathy Duddeck gets her way. As part of a traffic study of the Kerr Street area, consultants have suggested several recommendations for moving traffic off the busy street, including the removal of the jog between St. Augustine and Maurice drives. The study also suggests connecting Mary Street to Herald Avenue and extending St. Augustine, north of Speers Road. But Duddeck says creating such a thoroughfare would disrupt the quiet residential neigh- bourhood southwest of Kerr and Speers and would likely lead to concerns about traffic speed. It would also require the town to expropriate and demolish a number of properties to create the new roadway. "I'm not supportive of that at all," she says. "I don't think it will be approved at the Planning and Development meeting." The traffic study, completed as part of a larger Kerr Street Revitalization Plan, contemplates ways to deal with the already congested neighbourhood, given proposals for several new highrise developments in the area. Blake Poland, acting president of a newlyformed West Kerr Village Residents' Association (WKVRA), says area homeowners are worried about the need to knock down homes and trees to create the proposed new roadway. "We're concerned about the integrity of the neighbourhood," he says. "We don't think in this day and age we should be ripping up neighbourhoods for cars." With the majority of the planned growth for the area north of Speers Road, Poland believes new traffic will use Speers Road and Dorval Drive for movement, unless a new thoroughfare makes it easy for drivers to cut through his neighbourhood. "At some point, we have to make a decision -- do we value people and neighbourhoods and trees, or do we value cars?" Since its formation several weeks ago, about 60 area households have joined the WKVRA and taken on the task of communicating the traffic study suggestions to their neighbours, said Poland. Duddeck says many of those residents have also been in touch with town councillors to share their concerns about the proposal. Although Monday night's meeting will not see town councillors approving specific road plans within the traffic study, Duddeck says she is drafting a motion to make it clear to Oakville planning staff that the proposal to remove the jog between St. Augustine and Maurice Drive should be firmly off the table. "Future development shouldn't be at the expense of current residents who are in stable neighbourhoods," she said. "Quite a few people are, understandably, worried about their homes. We need to give them some certainty." The issue will be considered at the town's Planning and Development meeting at 7 p.m. on Monday night. chartwell cl assic oakville T Difference ASTE THE with Award Winning Celebrity Chef, Jim Duggan! l u x u r y r e t i r e m e n t l i v i n g Christmas is Coming! g So are your guests! A new shower enclosure is sure to impress. 20% off until the 28th Have your's installed before it's too late! We cannot guarantee pre-Christmas installation for orders placed after November 28. Discount applies to materials only. r 28 materia 550 Bronte Rd., Oakville 905.827.2951 Wag-a-Way F Fall Clean Up Special p p Pet Grooming i Brush Out Hair Cut Manicure & Pedicure Ears Cleaned NOW OPEN! Book a Tour and join us for lunch. Only at Chartwell Classic Oakville. Bath with Premium Shampoo p Hydro Massage y Conditioning Treatment Blow Dry Cologne g Complimentary p y Bandanna or Bow Handle with Tender Loving Care 905-257-0095 www.chartwellreit.ca 180 Oak Park Blvd., Oakville, ON $ 10 off $15 off 905 845-0526 2136 Trafalgar Rd. www.wagaway.com m