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3 · OAKVILLE BEAVER Thursday, September 17, 2009 Public invited to have say over lighting Continued from page 1 against it. There's also a condo across the road from Loyola and they are upset because they don't want all the traffic and noise for the games at night. People who don't even live near it are also upset. I haven't had one resident yet say it has been a really good idea." One resident in the area is leading the charge against the field lights. Jane Wiggins, who has lived on Stoneybrook Trail since 1988, has delivered a newsletter outlining the drawbacks of the field lights to 150 homes, four condominium buildings and a seniors' residence -- and she is working on a petition. She said there are many reasons the lights should not be installed. "There's the light pollution, noise from the crowds, traffic, public address system, problems with postgame tailgate parties, parking problems, toilet problems, and policing of events and security," said Wiggins, whose backyard overlooks the playing field. "We also have environmental concerns.... The quality of life is going to change here." Elgar said Loyola residents are rejecting the lights for the same reasons their counterparts are saying no to the proposed field lights at St. Thomas Aquinas Secondary School. In response to the recent debate over installing field lights at pre-existing fields, the Town of Oakville is conducting a municipal lighting strategy "I really think anything with lighted sports fields should go in (new areas of development) before residential goes in." Allan Elgar, Ward 4 councillor and policy study to review their current policy and practices concerning outdoor lighting at public facilities. The study will also examine lighting policy for commercial and institutional properties that are publicly accessible and widely used, such as schools and shopping centres. Council approved the two-phase study on June 29. Phase one will examine lighting of recreational facilities in existing residential neighbourhoods. There is currently no completion date for the study currently. A decision on the lights won't be made until the study is completed, according to the Town. A public meeting on the municipal lighting strategy and policy study has been scheduled for Oct. 1 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Sir John Colborne Recreation Centre for Seniors, 1565 Old Lakeshore Rd. For information, LIESA KORTMANN / OAKVILLE BEAVER WORK IN PROGRESS: The field of St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Secondary School is currently a work in progress as construction continues -- and will until a debate over lighting is resolved. visit www.oakville.ca/lighting.htm. Written comments and questions can be submitted to lighting@oakville.ca or by fax to 905-338-4254. The Loyola artificial turf field is expected to be installed by late October or early November, depending on weather. The track's asphalt base will be laid, but will have limited use, as the rubberized surface and painted lines won't be done until July. Corbacio is optimistic the field lights will be approved and says the board will listen to residents' concerns. "We're confident that what we're doing is a worthwhile benefit to the entire community and we're going to review any concerns neighbours might have and mitigate them where we can," he said. "When this was all designed, it was designed with the nuisance bylaw. We've met all those conditions and we've worked through them with Town staff. I'm sure we'll be treated fairly by the Town." Elgar disagrees field lights at the facility will benefit the community. "I don't like the spin where it (lights) is good," the councillor said. "When school is over, I don't see too many high school kids playing after hours over there. I really think anything with lighted sports fields should go in (new areas of development) before residential goes in." People are key to urban planning Continued from page 1 in the broader community. Each will have its own character." The transit plan focuses on a highly connected grid system that will require pedestrian and transitfriendly development to prevent traffic congestion. "We really want to minimize suburban development happening here. We want it to feel like an urban place, a town, a village, main street settings where people, cyclists, people doing things on foot are at the forefront," said McIlroy. "There will be streetscapes that you walk on where there are sidewalks on both sides, the streets will be lined with trees. On the main streets there will be benches, there are social spaces, there are urban squares for people to sit in. Trafalgar Road will be one of these places, but there will be many other main street areas." The Town's Manager of Current Planning and Urban Design Charlie McConnell said the tight grid pattern has created a lot of intersecting roads creating an almost natural traffic calming effect, thereby removing the threat of speeding, which otherwise might occur on long, straight roads. McIlroy said the urban core of Trafalgar Road will feature light rail transit that will travel up Trafalgar Road and connect to Hwy. 407 in the north where transit terminals will connect other major interchanges. Public meeting Oct. 13 A transit wave will also run parallel to Hwy. 407, creating a strong east to west connection. All these neighbourhoods in north Oakville will be connected by the largest natural heritage systems in North America with 700-750 hectares of protected woodlots. "Not all of it is the same. There's woodlands, there's meadows, there's stream corridors, Sixteen-Mile-Creek is a major stream feature, Joshua Creek is another one. So, unlike other areas of Oakville where these natural features get a little bit buried by the development that surrounds them, these will be highly visual, sometimes accessible where they can be, where the natural features are not so delicate." McConnell said the trail systems will be close to the periphery of the Natural Heritage System. Substantial employment lands will also make up north Oakville with the heaviest concentrations in the west, focused around Regional Road 25 and the east, along the 407. Trafalgar Road will form the major urban core of the community and will feature a mix of mid-rise, low-rise buildings highly accessible by transit. McIlroy said to think to Trafalgar Road as similar to Toronto's Yonge Street. At the end of the day, the communities of north Oakville are expected to house between 50,000 and 55,000 people and 35,000 jobs. A public meeting on the plans for north Oakville will take place on Oct. 13. Music Lessons for All Register NOW Ages! for Fall! Tired of running between activities? Call us today to see how we can help you save time in your busy schedule. Performance School of Music