Crews began removing trees in the Harlow area on Monday in preparation for the construction of a permanent berm between 14 homes and the South Saskatchewan River.--NEWS PHOTO
Crews have started cutting down trees in Harlow, and a warning sign to walkers on the nearby trail explains that “mulchers” are at work.
Removing trees will provide space for the building of a permanent berm that will start where the existing berm on Harris Street ends and extend further east.
The berm will be built between the South Saskatchewan River and the boundaries of nearby properties on Finlay Court, Link Court, Eight Street SW through to a lift station on Seventh Street SW.
“This is not mulching happening, this is destroying our nature, nature that has been here for hundreds of years and to be honest not much is left like this in the area,” said Ryan Shrives, a nearby homeowner.
The tree-clearing process will take about a week to complete and crews will then wait until about April to start building the berm.
Carlie Collier, engineer municipal works with the City, says the project will cost about $3.6 million.
She was not sure exactly how many trees will be removed but said the width of the berm will be similar to the one that runs parallel to Harris Street.
Collier says the placement of the berm will be no closer than five metres from property boundaries.
The lift station at the bottom of Seventh Street SW will be closed and pipes from it to another lift station on Harris Street will be concealed inside the berm.
A number of the homeowners who will be directly affected by the berm have expressed concerns about the city’s decision to build it. Council has remained resolute in its decision to go ahead with Coun. Kris Samraj the only councillor who voted against.
The city is not looking at financial compensation for any loss of property value.
“… the city really doesn’t respect our opinion or investments,” said Shrives.
There was a temporary berm placed in this area in May 2020. That temporary berm cost about $22,000.
