Residents rail against Brampton LRT parkland proposal
More than 100 people turned up at Brampton planning committee May 16 to address a transit route that, if adopted, would cross into environmentally sensitive land along Etobicoke Creek, just north of Nanwood Drive.
Brampton Guardian
By Peter Criscione
More than 100 people packed Brampton council chambers Monday night to rail against a plan that would drive a light rail transit (LRT) line through a downtown park.
“We are not going to stand for this,” said Charles Brooks, one of several residents who turned up at planning committee to address a transit route that, if adopted, would cross into environmentally sensitive land along Etobicoke Creek, just north of Nanwood Drive.
The ‘creek route’ is one of three alternates to the controversial Main Street line, north of Steeles Avenues, that council voted down last October.
Neighbours, with the help of area regional councillor Martin Medeiros, managed to muscle their way onto the agenda for the opportunity to make clear their opposition to the creek route through Meadowland Park.
Medeiros has been rallying downtown residents and gathering signatures on a petition to have it nixed as an option.
“I want each and every one of you to realize you are all being held accountable. You are not going to ruin our park,” said Brooks.
In 2015, Ontario committed $1.6 billion to fund a Hurontario-Main LRT that would connect Mississauga’s lakeshore to the downtown Brampton GO station.
After months of intense debate, and a failed facilitation process, Brampton council voted to reject the proposed route north of Steeles Ave.
Since then, council has been pushing staff to find alternatives, but not a single proposal put forth so far has managed to win council’s collective support.
The province has not committed to fund any alternatives to the route council rejected last year.
In June, staff will present council with a report detailing the feasibility of each of the three alternative LRT routes north of Steeles Avenue to the downtown GO station, either via Kennedy Road, McLaughlin Road or a line that veers east at Nanwood through the park and toward the new Peel Memorial health campus under construction.
Community leaders are getting a crash course the proposals as upcoming discussions on an alternate route draw near.
Medeiros and Jeff Bowman, who both represent Wards 3 and 4, have been at odds over the transit file, among other issues.
While Medeiros is a key supporter of Mayor Linda Jeffrey and the Hurontario-Main Street route she championed, Bowman said at this point, he isn’t promoting one route over another.
At planning committee Monday, Medeiros called on his council colleague to support a motion granting residents the chance to delegate.
“At minimum, my residents and Coun. Bowman’s residents deserve that opportunity to express their views in public,” said Medeiros.
Because the item wasn’t listed on the agenda, and no one registered formally to delegate, councillors debated whether a discussion should be allowed.
Council, minus mayor Jeffrey who is currently in Israel, agreed to hear from residents after neighbours promised to limit the number of speakers to five.
More than 20 people planned to address committee on a plan that calls for an elevated rail through Meadowland Park.
“We are all concerned about the loss of the parkland, the playgrounds, sports fields and trails,” said resident Mike Faye, who added diminished property values and lack of privacy among the list of concerns from neighbours. Faye’s house backs onto the parkland.
“We are kind of astounded that this route is being proposed. It would be a shame to lose that (parkland) to a light rapid transit that doesn’t go along a high traffic corridor,” said Faye.
Delegations were received, but no council debate or vote was allowed.
At one point committee chair Elaine Moore stepped in to defend Bowman, who, under the rules, was not permitted to debate against accusations that he is acting against the wishes of constituents. She noted Bowman has never actually endorsed the plan that residents are upset about.
The LRT debate has been a highly divisive issue in Brampton that has managed to pit neighbours, businesses and community leaders against one another.
Some who showed up Monday to oppose the creek route option said they also oppose an LRT on Main Street.
“People should understand that it doesn’t matter what route (council debates). There will always be people opposed to it,” said regional Coun. John Sprovieri.
The creek route was scratched off as a potential route in the early going of planning, and is an option that the local conservation authority vehemently opposes.
Sprovieri, who sits on the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA) board, said members will debate the creek option next week (May 27). Based on his reading of the situation, Sprovieri said he doubts conservation officials will approve the alignment.
He touted McMurchy Avenue, a residential street between Hurontario and McLaughlin Road, as another possible route option.
