Construction to improve drainage and the storm sewer system on Abbey Lane is drawing criticism from the public.
The Clark family, who own a home and rental property on Abbey Lane, were before council on Jan. 20 to voice their concerns regarding the Gravenhurst project.
Scott Clark made a presentation to council showing the project’s excessive duration, a lack of consistent communication, and the impact it has had on his household.
“Since May of last year, our property’s been directly adjacent to extensive drilling and blasting associated with the new stormwater infrastructure leading to Lake Muskoka. What we’ve experienced has gone well beyond reasonable inconvenience,” he said.
The purpose of the project is to construct a new storm drainage outlet and storm sewer system to improve storm water drainage along Abbey Lane and a portion of Winewood Avenue West.
Throughout the construction period, Clark said they received no drilling or blasting schedules, no advanced notice of blasting days, no timelines indicating how long Abbey Lane or Winewood Road would be affected, and only occasional notices when access to their driveway was restricted or completely cut off.
“This absence of basic communication meant we could not plan our daily lives, our time at home, or our guest bookings,” said Clark. “At times, we were generally unsure whether we would be able to enter or leave our property. We were left reacting day-by-day without predictability or certainty.”
Among the other concerns Clark voiced were excessive noise and vibrations, as well as the damage to several mature trees whose root systems were cut to accommodate underground culvert installations.
“The tree root system stabilizes soil, prevents erosion and provides structural anchoring. The town’s current approach contradicts its own rationale for setbacks and creates foreseeable environmental and safety risks,” he said.
For those reasons, Clark asked Council to reimburse short-term rental licensing fees for the construction period and waive them until the work is finished. He also requested that a certified arborist of their choice provide root treatment this spring.
Lastly, he demanded a written guarantee that the Town will replace any trees that die or require removal due to the project, covering all costs for replanting and site restoration.
In response, Mayor Heidi Lorenz and Council requested a staff report on the construction project and the Clark family’s requests. The report will also outline standard communication protocols and procedural practices for all municipal construction projects.
Council will bring back the topic for further discussion at a future meeting.
