THUNDER BAY – River Terrace residents are concerned with a proposed subdivision on a narrow strip of land that borders their homes, and the Thunder Bay Regional Science Centre.
The land in question belongs to Lakehead University and apparently unknown to their administration is used by several LU Faculties. Consisting of 13.5 acres 5.5 of which is classified as hazard or wetlands and the balance a treed area of green space.
The treed area consists of a wide variety of trees many of which have been planted and tagged for monitoring by the Lakehead University forestry faculty. This area is a recognized wildlife corridor and includes numerous nesting bird species and along with its wetland and hazard area is considered a valuable asset for outdoor and biological studies for the university.
Trees on the property are what provide an important buffer between the hospital and current resident’s and most importantly buffer the constant noise from the hospital facility ventilators. The noise experienced now is “considered beyond the normal urban hum” to quote a City Planner.
Without the current buffer of trees hospital noises would extend to a great number of area homes in the River Terrace area.
It is obvious that the prevalent ventilator noises would not provide an enjoyable living environment to homes in the proposed subdivision that would be stripped of all the trees.
Additionally these proposed homes in close proximity to the hospital will be very close to the landing and takeoff paths of the medical helicopters that frequent the hospital. These frequent flights are a daily occurrence at any hour of the day or night and impact a vibrating noise that penetrates windows and building structures. This fact alone should predicate the need for more adequate buffering between the hospital and any residential area.
The City of Thunder Bay Official Plan item 13.1 Noise, Vibration and Emissions Objectives state that it is Council’s objective to minimize or prevent its citizens from unwarranted noise and vibration.
Hopefully Council’s objective will prevail in this case.
The public meeting concerning this proposed plan of subdivision will be held on Monday, April 19, 2010 at 6:30 p.m. at the City Council Chambers, 500 Donald Street East.
