EZT council approves controversial Janelle Drive trail

Innerkip resident and ward three Coun. Matthew Gillespie voted in favour of the new trail, saying privacy won’t be impacted. Township of East Zorra-Tavistock Photo

Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Residents of Janelle Drive in Tavistock will soon have an official walking/maintenance trail behind their properties.

In speaking with affected residents, none of the 20 affected homeowners told the Gazette they were in favour of the recreational trail, however no residents spoke on the topic at the East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT) council meeting last week.

Two members of council voted against the trail, including Mayor Phil Schaefer, who explained he appreciated the need and is supportive of walking trails, but felt the Janelle Drive location doesn’t meet the necessary criteria.

“If our intent is to ensure the proper functioning of this infrastructure, and I believe it is, I don’t think it’s ideal to open the gates to widespread public access, which could interfere with that. Having it run behind established homes is an issue,” he said.

Schaefer admitted privacy is never guaranteed but added it is something that should be cherished.

“I appreciate staff’s forward-thinking on this. They are simply offering something that we told them is a priority, and they are providing that for us. This location, however, to me, does not meet the best location for a walking trail, so I will not be supporting this motion.”

The 2025 budget line for the installed fencing was $50,000, but the actual cost is closer to $30,000. Ward one Coun. Steven Van Wyk didn’t explain why he voted in favour but said the trail would not cost taxpayers any money going forward. The only other member of council to vote against the trail was Ward one Coun. Scott Zehr, who said he appreciated the input from affected residents.

“I know some have commented how nicely the fence has been built, even if they disagreed with it. …Though I appreciate the idea brought forward by staff, I feel there may be some better, more suitable trail locations in our community, and I’d like to see staff investigate some of them and return to council.”

One of residents’ biggest concerns was the loss of privacy caused by people walking beyond their backyards. Ward three Coun. Matthew Gillespie said his personal experience leads him to believe residents won’t feel any discomfort. His family home in Innerkip backs onto a greenspace that, for 20 years, was “nothing more than a wet piece of grass.” He added about 10 years ago, a paved walking trail was installed.

“(It) has seen an increase in usage tenfold, and I have never felt privacy (was an issue) or that I can’t continue to do things in my backyard as I always have. … I appreciate the people who have bought homes that back onto these empty greenspaces, but to say they can never be used for anything but an empty space, especially in a small community, is a disservice to the community,” Gillespie said.

Deputy mayor Brad Smith said he visited the site twice before the vote. He noted that his own home backs onto the Hickson ballpark, and that he had no expectation of privacy when he moved there, even though the recreation facilities were not yet in place.

“When you back onto a public greenspace, your expectation of privacy might change over time,” he said.

While none of the affected residents presented to council in person, one homeowner sent a letter to the township expressing her concerns.

“I will not be able to attend the meeting on Sept. 17 when the trail and fence plans are discussed, as we will be away at that time,” said Janelle Drive resident Jeanne Bender. “As to the comment that it could be a social experience and a chance to visit with people, I would suggest that I enjoy doing my visiting in the front yard, where the street is, and not my back yard, which is my sanctuary, my peaceful, private space.”

Bender was responding to a comment made by Brad Smith at a previous council meeting.

“It is inconsiderate to take that from us. If people are infringing on township land, then you address the problem with them, and if they continue, you fine them. You do not punish all the back yards on Janelle Drive because you don’t want to single out those individuals. I suspect that trail users would find it much more interesting to see what is going on in backyards than the weeds in a ditch and corn growing in a field.”

Bender was referring to a recent statement made by Mayor Phil Schaefer that the storm ponds were being fenced off because some residents infringed on township land.

“It seems to me there are little trees to keep you cool, and where are you travelling to, the length of the street and back, some trail,” Bender continued. “I believe fines should be issued for people who violate the rules instead. Fifty-thousand dollars is a ridiculous amount of taxpayer money to waste on this project. Please think this over carefully, as it affects many people.”

The Gazette visited the trail site several times, and the trees can barely be seen as a result of other native plants and weeds growing to the same height. Many of the 100 trees also appear to be in poor health. The township’s public works manager, Tom Lightfoot, said he had hoped to look at the trees before press time, but was unable to do so.

“I can say the trees were part of our roadside tree order. Typically, we purchase trees that are between four and six feet tall,” said Lightfoot. “They are bare-root trees when we get them from the supplier. We find the first couple of years, the trees build their root systems, and then we start to notice tree growth. The smaller trees are more economical, allowing us to purchase and plant more trees.”

One of the biggest complaints from affected residents was the lack of proper consultation by the township. Brad Smith admitted the township could have done a better job communicating with residents but did not offer an apology to them. He did, however, suggest EZT staff should be apologized to.

“For the residents to confront and belittle employees of this township is unacceptable, especially when they are not in their working environment,” the deputy mayor said. “Staff work and live in our township and deserve respect. I feel an apology is in order from the offending person or persons.”

He added just because residents pay taxes, it does not give them the right to disrespect EZT employees.

Zehr agreed with Brad Smith, noting that some comments have suggested certain staff are not acting in the best interests of taxpayers.

“These comments, in my opinion, are unfair and uncalled for. … I hope our residents who have been unkind and have been mistreating our staff might take a step back and consider their actions and their comments going forward.”

Zehr added the democratic process allows room to disagree,  but it should be done respectfully.

“I do have concerns with those who have not,” he added.

Once the trail was approved, council’s next order of business was to choose one of two options for the path presented by staff. The approved option will see the trail placed further away from backyards on Janelle Drive.