April, 2008

Hello Lynnwood Community,

 

We are currently in the process of trying to inform everyone about the serious potential of the LRT coming down 87 Avenue and we would like the residents to be informed of it, as many are still unaware.  We will be trying to organize a town hall meeting to see what the opinions are, but I would strongly recommend that you check out the www.edmonton.ca site and click on "Transit" in the top menu bar, "LRT" on the left and then under "Related Links" on the right, click on "LRT Projects".  As President, I do not want my beliefs to be the only ones voiced.  I would like to know what the community as a whole feels. 

 

There is a definite potential for there to be some benefits to the LRT, but there are concerns with the fact that residents are not informed and there are many negatives to having it along 87 Avenue. Many residents are unaware of it and the potential for their homes to be destroyed, or greatly impacted.  I will be forwarding more information as I obtain it, but I strongly encourage you that if you want your voice heard to contact Linda Sloan or Karen Leibovici, who represent us with the city.  There will be a decision made on May 20, 2008 by City Hall, so there isn’t a lot of time….hence the concern about the lack of information until this past Saturday with a glimpse of what could occur.   I am trying to get other community presidents together; however, we need the action of all affected. 

 

My personal concerns:

·  They do not know if it will go on the north or the south side of 87 Avenue

· Noise of LRT and the signals

· Vibrations of neighboring homes to LRT

· Traffic congestion trying to exit Lynnwood, as we can’t exit via the south already, and

    seldom 149 Street on the east side

· Destroying homes in Lynnwood

· Usage of Lynnwood side streets for “Park and Ride” during major events

·  Meadowlark Mall could potentially become a  high density population area with condos

· Increased Crime Rate

· Lynnwood is a thriving community and does not need to be revitalized, as do other areas

    like Stony Plain Road.

· Stony Plain Road and 107 Avenue were taken off of the consideration list

·  They are not looking at other potential areas such as 107 Avenue or the Whitemud to

    170 Street from the University to WEM

· Blatant communication that is misleading residents and it is, again, volunteers trying to fight

    the battle against those that hold the key to the information

· The consultant has already stated to concerned residents that it is going down 87 Avenue,

    even though this has not been approved yet by council

·  They are claiming the communities have been consulted, but from talking to those in the

    Stakeholders’ Committee, this did not occur in a fair environment

· If you were to put an extension on your house you would need to canvas the

    neighborhood for written approval, and have the president of the community approve it

    before the city would consider allowing this to occur, however, the city has not ensured

    that residents are aware of the possibility that their homes could be destroyed, or

    neighborhood impacted. 

·  The odd sign in the area is not sufficient, there should be information from the city in every

   mailbox in all the affected communities

·  On the website it clearly details the benefits of the LRT in our area but misses the fact of

    providing the negative impacts this could have

 

There are very interesting comments made by the President and Vice President from Parkview Community League and it is worth a read too.  See:  www.pvcl.ca and click on the President’s message and "Study Picks 87 Avenue for West LRT Route".

 

I’m curious to see what you think from a preliminary standpoint, please e-mail me at:  lynnwoodcommunity@shaw.ca and indicate whether you think “yes” or “no” to 87 Avenue.   Before I take this further on behalf of the community league, I would like to know what you think at this point.  There have been some very upset residents who have contacted me already with their great concerns.  This isn’t all about NIMBY ("not in my back yard"), it just doesn’t make sense to put this through our thriving communities, where we have some of the strongest community leagues and highest volunteer involvement in the city, established schools, etc.  We don’t need to be revitalized.

 

It is important to note that Mayor Stephen Mandel and Councilor Karen Leibovici have made it known that they do not support 87 Avenue LRT, however, they are only one vote each and there are others involved.  I would love to be able to have everything presented well to the city, as a full time paid consultant does, but unfortunately we are a group of volunteers trying to do this in our “spare” time.  At the very least, we would like the May 20, 2008 meeting delayed so that we can truly be informed and have real input, representing the views of the community.

 

Michelle

Lynnwood Community League President

 

P.S.  Please let me know if you would like your email address added to the community fan out e-mail.