As a resident, I am deeply…

As a resident, I am deeply concerned about the proposed development of homes on the lands behind my property, particularly given historical evidence that these lands have flooded in the very areas where construction is now planned. Photos shared by residents on the Facebook page Millcroft Against Development / Millcroft Coalition Against Bad Development show past rain events in which portions of the golf course were visibly flooded. While these photos may not replace a formal drainage or engineering study, they are important community evidence that this land has a known history of holding water during heavy rainfall.

The development plans appear to recognize this risk, as the proposed new homes are expected to include weeping tile and other flood-prevention measures to protect their basements. However, many existing homes on Berwick Drive, including mine, do not have weeping tile or sump pumps because they were not built with this new drainage reality in mind. If natural ground that currently absorbs and manages stormwater is replaced with roads, roofs, driveways, and other hard surfaces, where will that water go during extreme rainfall events?

My concern is that the new development may be engineered to protect the new houses while shifting the flood risk onto existing residents. If my basement floods due to altered grading, reduced absorption, redirected runoff, or a higher water table, who will be responsible for the damage? Will the developer, the city, or the province compensate existing homeowners, or will residents be left to pay for problems created by this development?

Before any approval is granted, there must be clear, independent evidence that this development will not increase flood risk for existing homes, along with a binding plan for accountability if it does. Existing residents should not be expected to absorb the financial and emotional cost of flood risks created by new construction.