Fencing going in but Tavistock trail only a proposal

Mayor attempts to clarify confusion caused by township letter

This is a look at the proposed walking trail behind houses on Janelle Drive in Tavistock. East Zorra-Tavistock council will debate the issue at its Sept. 17 meeting. Lee Griffi photo

By Lee Griffi, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A proposed nature trail and the construction of a fence behind residential properties is causing some confusion among Tavistock (EZT) residents.

Three different reasons have been provided to Tavistock residents as to why a fence is going up in very close proximity to some homeowner’s property lines. Now, East Zorra-Tavistock says a nature trail is only proposed for a stretch of land behind one town roadway.

“I have just confirmed with Tom (Lightfoot) that the maintenance trail has only existed behind Janelle (Drive) and will be maintained as such. The portion of the sewer water management facility behind Dietrich was only recently cut to allow for the survey work and fencing installation,” a township spokesperson said.

That means the trail, if approved by council, will only exist on township land behind homes on Janelle Drive.

Mayor Phil Schaefer sent a statement to the Gazette Tuesday afternoon saying the fencing is going up to stop residents from using township land for various purposes.

“The letter that came from the township may have given the impression that the fencing was being done in order to facilitate the nature trail. In fact, they are two separate issues.”

He added the project’s goal is to separate EZT land from residents’ properties.

“To ensure the (storm water management) ponds work as intended, and that they are not subject to items being dumped in them which could affect their performance. The fence will be approximately one foot from the property lines, and no trees will be cut down. Staff are willing to work with residents who currently have items on township property,” Schaefer said.

What items could potentially be dumped in the two small ponds is not clear and the Gazette is not aware of any issues with dumping. Schaefer added the impression given to residents may have been the trail would be established on Aug. 18. He said that is not the case and people will have an opportunity to have their say next month.

“With respect to the trail proposed by staff, at the Sept. 17 council meeting, staff will present their report and provide some options for the potential trail. Council will be able to have a fulsome discussion and decide how to move forward. No trail is being implemented prior to this meeting.”

Affected residents received a hand-delivered letter to their doors early last week explaining a fence would be installed in less than two weeks. A rough map of the affected areas was included with the notice but the exact location of the fencing is unknown.

“The township of EZT will be installing a page-wire fence … along the municipally owned property adjacent to the rear of your property along Janelle Drive/Dietrich Road/Perth Road 107,” said the letter, which was signed by manager of public works Tom Lightfoot.

“The work will commence on Aug. 18 and is expected to take approximately one week, weather permitting. …We kindly ask that you remove all personal items such as trailers, fire pits and greenhouses from municipal property; our team will be removing any items that remain. This fence is being implemented to allow a new walking trail along this property,” it added.

The 2025 budget includes a line to fence and pollinate ponds six and seven at a cost of $50,000. There was no mention of a trail being implemented. There has also been no talk of installing a fence for the purpose of removing the various items homeowners have on township land, including gardens.

Several other residents reached out to the Gazette but did not want their names published. Concerns included privacy due to the close proximity of the now proposed trail, the lack of communication and consultation from the township, a fear of property values dropping and the township not maintaining its own land in the proposed trail area. Many residents say they have cut the grass themselves after the neighbouring farm owner stopped. They also worry about an increase in the presence of ticks and rodents.

Deputy mayor Brad Smith said the fact some residents have been using the property for their own purposes is a problem.

“I was told that people are using it for equipment storage, a vegetable garden and even a small greenhouse. This poses a liability issue for the township. This is a water-retention area. The garden grower has been told the township will allow them to harvest the plot and remove the greenhouse.”

He added the grass will not be trimmed along the fence after installation and he sees the potential trail as a way to be social.

“That may give homeowners a buffer from their property lines. I am in favour of any added trail area that we can add at minimal cost. I am the wrong person to comment on the privacy issue. My house is adjacent to the walkway from King Crescent and Hickson Park. We have residents walking through daily. I find it the perfect opportunity to say, ‘Hey,’ and be neighbourly.” 

Among the homeowners affected are Darlene and Gary Schwoob-Thistle who have a small greenhouse and garden on township land.

“When we first moved in, there was a bunch of garbage there. I tidied it all up and kept it nice and clean. The biggest problem with this trail is privacy,” said Gary Schwoob-Thistle.

“We are worried when the fence goes up, who is going to clean the weeds in between? We don’t want weeds crawling over our fence. Are we allowed to come back and trim it?”

Darlene Schwoob-Thistle said the township should have made more of an effort to inform residents. She added Lightfoot was in the area on Tuesday to let residents on Dietrich know there is no planned trail behind that street.

“We are very relieved. I do feel for the people on Janelle though. Tom kept apologizing and apologizing for the situation,” she said.

The couple added they have no issue removing the greenhouse and placing it in their backyard.

Schaefer said he has talked to several residents who have those privacy concerns. Some have fences but the vast majority do not.

“I can understand them, and they will need to be considered. Staff as well as some residents have also expressed their concerns about the township land being used as a dumping ground, a parking lot, storage area and generally an extension of private property. The fence will hopefully alleviate those concerns.”

There appears to be a certain amount of confusion among township staff as well as members of council. Replies sent to the Gazette from two councillors indicated their understanding was the trail was a done deal. Coun. Scott Zehr said he is referring all concerns he receives to township staff.

“After some back and forth, I have directed these frustrated residents to our CAO and staff as they are the experts on these township topics. Our staff can give a much-clearer picture of what will be installed and why. I trust our staff and that they actually have the best interest of our township at heart. If I did not trust them or agree with them, I would speak up.”

At last week’s council meeting, Coun. Steven Van Wyk said he was getting some negative feedback from affected residents.

“I am seeing a lot of pushback from homeowners on that due to privacy. All of a sudden, there is this new walking path behind their houses. They are concerned about privacy and I was wondering how far off the walking trail will the fence be put … and where are the access points to the trail?”

The access point will be where Jacob and Janelle intersect on township land but there are other place the proposed trail could be accessed. Despite some negative responses, Van Wyk said he is in favour of the trail being implemented.

“More trails were ranked as a high priority, number three on the list, during the extensive public consultation conducted last year through the recreation advisory committee’s open houses and surveys. In the past few days, I’ve also heard from a number of residents who are excited that we’re able to deliver on this.”

He added staff have noted trees have been planted in the area and residents’ privacy shouldn’t be affected.

“In my view, the installation of a fence will keep trail users back from private property lines, and the existing trees will offer additional visual separation between the trail and adjacent homes. Staff have also informed me that they have been cutting the grass in that area since May into a trail and it is my understanding that it has seen use with zero concerns noted to date.”

The trees are in fact nowhere near backyards but were planted at the edge of the adjacent cornfield dozens of feet away and can barely be seen due to tall grass and weeds.

Van Wyk explained another trail may be coming to Tavistock in the near future.

“Another area that I will be recommending to staff to look at adding trails is behind Holley Avenue once that subdivision is complete and that green space is turned over to the township. If any privacy concerns arise once the fence is installed and the trail is fully operational, we can revisit the matter at council. Should any issues be substantiated, we could consider additional measures such as adding more trees/vegetation or if we had to gate access to the trail to prevent or restrict users of the trail.”

Township CAO Karen DePrest delivered a report to council last week. It stated staff are suggesting as part of the 50th anniversary of the township, council may want to have a ribbon-cutting ceremony in the fall.

“As part of that ceremony, staff are seeking council’s recommendation for a name for the trail that recognizes contribution to recreation and leisure in the Village of Tavistock.”

The report also said the addition of a naturalized walking path within the fenced boundary of the (ponds) can easily be foregone so long as everyone recognizes that Ministry of Environment recommendations are to maintain dry pond … facilities as naturalized areas and that grasses should not be cut. 

“That being said, the addition of a mowed path would allow walkers to enjoy the naturalized environment surrounding our dry pond area only. The exact location of the mowed path has yet to be finalized however staff have been maintaining an existing path throughout this summer on a trial basis and the path has seen usage,” the report added.

Any resident interested in presenting to council at the Sept. 17 meeting may contact township clerk Meaghan Vader at mvader@tavistock.ca. The meeting will also be livestreamed on the township’s website at www.ezt.ca/township-office/mayor-and-council/agendas-and-minutes/.