Plans to extend County Road 22 to connect to Highway 33 have been cut from the new Picton area Master Transportation Plan after resident feedback.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, council reviewed the new draft transportation plan, and heard comments from the public regarding an extension to County Road 22. The extension was intended to provide a more direct route into Picton’s urban area from new developments to the south.
Several area residents whose homes were in the path of the expansion spoke out against the new road. The loss of part of their property or their homes was chief among concerns with the plan, with environmental concerns also being mentioned.
The draft plan sparked vigorous debate in the council chamber, with Councillor Brad Nieman putting forward an amendment to drop the road expansion from the plan.
“The cost of it is substantial, as well as the upheaval of people’s lives,” said Councillor Nieman. “When you get on in years, you want to be able just to relax and not have to worry about your house being demolished or your land being taken away.”
Ultimately, council voted to amend the presented draft plan to drop the road expansion, and then voted to accept the amended plan.
