[All] Invitation to an Open House on Feb 26th to discuss Wilmot Line (& Kressler Road)

[Deb Swidrovich]

​Hi all:

We need warm bodies at an Open House drop-in (no formal presentation) this
Thursday, February 26th at the Waterloo Region Emergency Services Training
and Research Complex (Landfill Gate 3) at 1001 Erb's Road, Waterloo between
4:00 - 8:00 pm.

The Region of Waterloo has been studying how best to "balance"
transportation needs and environmental consideration in the Laurel Creek
Headwaters Environmentally Sensitive Landscape (ESL).  In short -- what to
do with Wilmot Line.

This ESL case study will likely inform the Environmental Assessment for Erb
Street (Costco), and the Environmental Impact Statement that will be
required should the Township of Wilmot decide to hard surface this road; so
we need to make our concerns known now.

Somehow we have to get through to the study team and council that to truly
preserve Wilmot Line and to protect the threatened species, wetlands and
forests, we need to seriously reduce traffic or shut down the road.  They
need to hear that this very special area is worth much more than a
thoroughfare for concrete and gravel trucks; or a shortcut for commuters
from outlying communities and residents from subdivisions underway in
northwest Waterloo.  It is important for them to hear our concerns about
the draw that a Costco and further commercial and employment land
development at the end of Wilmot Line will have to the road, as commuters
and shoppers avoid the congestion projected for Columbia St. & Erbsville
Road, and Ira Needles Blvd. & Erb St. (we could be looking at a 6-8 minute
wait at the roundabout).

One of the issues is that most of the traffic counts do not truly represent
the pedestrian use that we see on a daily basis (walkers, hikers, joggers,
runners, skiers, cyclists, bird watchers, horse-back riders, nature
lovers).  This past weekend, I put flyers on over 200 skiers' cars who park
mostly on Wideman Road and Wilmot Line who use Wilmot Line to get to the
cross-country ski trails in Schneiders' bush.  In the warmer months, we
have busloads of people who come to hike and to study the streams; high
school students who use this hilly road for endurance runs; and marathon
runners and cyclists who practice regularly out here as well (to name a
few).

The Region is trying to look for a balanced solution, but it is difficult
for me to imagine how they will accommodate more traffic, yet protect
the wildlife and wetland complexes, and maintain the scenic character and
recreational enjoyment of the road as we know it today.  As Kevin Thomason
puts it, "surely there is at least one part of the Region of Waterloo where
the protection of the environment is more important than the automobile and
road capacity".

I have attached a report that was presented by Rob Horne to Regional
Council at a Planning & Works Committee meeting on February 3rd that gives
a good overview of the project.  I have also attached the invitation and a
map of the Laurel Creek ESL.

Hope to see you there.

Thanks everybody,

Deb Swidrovich
519-746-5287
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