With projections predicting growing demand for multi-residential units in Sudbury, the city is moving ahead with a watershed study that will guide development near the city's 300 lakes.
Councillors recently approved the study as the result of a motion from Ward 11 Coun. Terry Kett, who told city council it would be a major leap forward in protecting water quality.
The emergence of phosphorus problems and the fact some lakes are closed to swimmers in summer are proof of the need for the study, he said.
“Without this information, we put a lot of stress on our lakes,” Kett said. “Watershed studies would help everybody work together in this city.”
With the city's policy of intensification – encouraging new housing be built near existing housing with infrastructure already in place – developers have been running into opposition when they try to build where the city tells them.
In turn, residents who live near city lakes fear more development will harm water quality, a particularly big worry for Ramsey Lake, a major source of municipal drinking water.
The resulting conflict between planning policy and public concern over water quality has led to several charged planning meetings, in which a developer who wants to build housing units near a lake must face a hostile crowd calling for a rejection of the project because of environmental concerns.
Kett said a watershed study would not only protect lakes, it would also create an action plan in case of flooding. And when city staff is evaluating a proposed development next to a city lake, the study would let them know what other projects are planned for that lake.
That way, they get a clearer picture of how stressed the waterbody is by all the development taking place near it.
“Let's make this a priority of council,” Kett said, adding he's confident staff can complete the work, since much of it has been done already.
“I would say yes, yes and yes to this motion,” said Ward 10 Coun. Frances Caldarelli. “People are really concerned about our lakes. I think this is wonderful (because) it's going to help us take a much more comprehensive view of development.
“We keep saying we care about our lakes, but it's time we walked the walk.”
Ward 8 Coun. Fabio Belli said council should move as soon as it can to get the watershed study completed.
“Let's do it now, let's not wait until 2014," Belli said.
