Stewart and Lee Road residents press Trust for answers

 

By GAIL SJUBERG Staff Writer

Two groups of islanders kept up the pressure on local trustees last week as they try to stop unwanted land use in their neighbourhoods.

Last week's Salt Spring Local Trust Committee (LTC) meeting heard from several Lee Road residents and a contingent from the Stewart Road Residents' Association.

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People living near Laurie's Recycling and Waste Services transfer station site expressed their displeasure with the Islands Trust's part in the Capital Regional District (CRD) issuing a Class 1 transfer station licence under the CRD's regulating bylaw.

"In 1998, [Laurie] Hedger said he was parking his garbage truck there, and now you have allowed him to implement a full-sized waste transfer site," said Lee Road resident Steve Grayson.

"My wife has lived there for 33 years. She is going to live and die there, and we're not going to let you screw it up."

Late in 2003, following receipt of legal advice that it could not win its case, the Trust dropped a lawsuit against Laurie Hedger's operations on Lee Road.

In answer to queries from neighbours, Trust regional planning manager John Gauld explained that according to legal advice received, Hedger could subcontract use of the site to other operators. Neighbour Tom Pickett had complained that the RDI waste company was also using the property.

Gauld also said that even though public access is part of the CRD's Class 1 licence, advertising the site and increasing public use of the property would prompt "action" from the Trust.