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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, July 1, 2016 | 20 Town shies away from leaf blower ban Should Town have an MDC? by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff It does not appear the Town of Oakville will ban the use of leaf blowers anytime soon. At the recent Administrative Services Committee meeting, councillors voted to receive a report in which Town staff declined to recommend any changes to current leaf blower noise regulations. In the report, Senior Manager of Municipal Enforcement Services Jim Barry, estimated 10,000 households in Oakville have leaf blowers. These have only resulted in a small number of complaints being made to the Town. "Considering the large number of households with leaf blowers and the relative few complaints received, any suggested regulation change would require significant public outreach," he said. Town staff was asked to review the bylaw for noise related to outdoor appliances following a Dec. 1, 2015 public meeting by the Let's Rake community group, which called for the ban. The group not only objects to the excessive noise leaf blowers make, but has concerns about pollution created by the gas-powered devices. "We shouldn't be exposed to this stuff. It's horrendous. People don't sit outside anymore because of this noise. I've heard that from many people. They go and sit outside on their beautiful patios or balconies and before they know it they're chased inside by these leaf blowers, the noise and the dust coming up," said Elizabeth Kaplan of Let's Rake, who spoke at the meeting. "It's only going to get worse. Oakville is growing at such a pace." Kaplan argued the issue has grown since 2008 and blames the Town's noise bylaw, which she said does not adequately address leaf blowers. Barry's report notes the current noise bylaw does prohibit the emission of sound from domestic tools, including leaf blowers from 9 p.m.-7 a.m. (9 a.m. on Sundays). Kaplan says the Town is far more restrictive of construction, dog barking and motorcycle noise. Construction noise is not permitted on Sundays or on statutory holidays in Oakville. Persistent dog barking is not permitted any time. Leaf blower noise, she said, is just as disruptive. The Town logged no complaints about leaf blower noise in 2015 or 2014. That said, Barry noted complaints about leaf blowers or other domestic tools operating during permitted times would not be retained. While Town staff advised, anecdotally, those complaint numbers are low, Kaplan questioned that determination and policy. "That's a real Catch 22," said Kaplan. "They're saying there are no complaints because they don't keep any log of them if they happened during permitted times. That's absurd in the extreme." The staff report noted a review of municipalities, including Brampton, Burlington, London, Milton, Mississauga and Ottawa, found Oakville's regulation equal to or more restrictive. It noted the Halton Health Department assessed health concerns related to leaf blower noise and emissions and found no specific risk. Kaplan points to the World Health Organization, which has called excessive noise an "underestimated threat that can cause a number of short and longterm health problems, such as sleep disturbance, cardiovascular effects, poorer work and school performance and hearing impairment." by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Oakville Town Council voted June 27 to explore the creation of a Municipal Development Corporation (MDC) and is asking for public input. Councillors adopted a businesses case outlining the key rationale for creating an MDC to oversee development of the Town's former public works site on Trafalgar Road. Public input and financial requirements will go into a final recommendation to council. Town staff said increasingly, governments are considering a "master developer" approach to dealing with significant public surplus lands to manage development and maximize value to the community. They said local governments could implement this approach when dealing with real estate opportunities by using in-house staff or by establishing an MDC pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Act, 2001. In 2015, the Town retained N. Barry Lyon Consultants Limited (NBLC), Exp Energy Services Limited, and Black, Sutherland LLP to conduct a study on the development potential of the Town's former public works yard. The study recommended the Town assume the role of "master developer" to oversee planning and development activities. On Feb. 1, Council endorsed the study's conclusions. Town staff said the MDC has the ability to negotiate effectively in the market outside the political system. It can also clearly separate the roles and mandate of Town staff and separate the Town's statutory approval role from the Town's role in land development. The business case outlines the MDCwouldoperateindependently in Town Hall, managed by a parttime CEO under the direction of a board of directors (chaired by the mayor), with support of a senior management advisory team. Should the Town establish an MDC, it could also be used to deal with other surplus lands, including the former Brantwood School site. For more information, visit the Agenda and Minutes page at www.oakville.ca to access the June 20 Administrative Services Committee meeting agenda. Kidsopolis, Oakville's best Licensed Montessori School Indoor playground, now has a licensed Montessori School for kids 2.5 to 6 Weekly Month Free years. 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