Pottinger Street residents rally against sidewalks

Residents along Pottinger Street in Lindsay’s North Ward are mobilizing against a revised city plan that would install boulevard sidewalks along the south side of their quiet street between Albert and Adelaide.

Gloria Palmateer, who lives in the neighbourhood, argues that the proposal will significantly reduce front yard space, compromise parking, lead to the removal of cherished century-old trees, and hinder effective snow removal.

Initially, when the city first approached the affected homeowners last August, plans were presented that did not include any sidewalks on the south side of Pottinger Street. “In August we were all invited by the city to a public meeting,” Palmateer said. “That meeting occurred on Sept. 12. We were shown designs at that meeting and there were none that showed sidewalks being installed for the first time,” in that area.

That assurance was upended early this spring. “Everything changed in early spring,” she explained. “My husband was on the internet looking for a start date for the construction and discovered the city plans posted for the Pottinger infrastructure job had changed significantly from the September meeting and now included sidewalks on the south side of the street. There was no meeting where these changes were presented.” This sudden alteration in plans has left her feeling blindsided by the city engineering and corporate services department.

The gist of Palmateer’s opposition lies in the direct impact on property — and daily living. “The city plan is to widen Pottinger and install sidewalks by removing a significant piece of everyone’s front yard on the south side of the street,” she said. “Many of the homes on Pottinger have shallow small lots that can ill afford to lose frontage all the way back to the fire hydrants. We have two cars and a cargo trailer currently in our driveway. Where do we put them when we lose half of our driveway?” Many residents, particularly those with basement rentals that depend on limited driveway parking, worry that the loss of space will force increased street parking and contribute to congestion.

Another pressing concern is the fate of the trees lining Pottinger Street. “If they install a boulevard sidewalk the city will have to remove every (front yard) tree on our side of Pottinger,” Palmateer said, noting that some of these trees are more than 100 years old. Moreover, homeowners express unease about diminished space for snow storage. Last winter, with her driveway already at capacity, Palmateer had to hire a private contractor to clear snow—a service she had initially expected from the city.

Amid these issues, the neighbourhood quickly rallied. Flyers circulated in mailboxes and a petition opposing the sidewalk was signed by every affected resident. “The city has four different options currently for the south side of Pottinger. Three involve sidewalks. One does not. That is the one we favour,” Palmateer emphasized, encapsulating the community’s clear preference for a design that preserves their properties.

City officials have taken notice. Deputy Mayor Charlie McDonald and Ward 5 Councillor Mark Doble have both visited the construction zone and listened to residents’ concerns. Palmateer was particularly encouraged when McDonald committed to bringing her concerns back to the city. Meanwhile, Bryan Reid, communications, advertising and marketing officer for Kawartha Lakes, said there is a report coming to the June 24 regular council meeting about this, and he is anticipating that there will be a few deputations about the sidewalks at the meeting. That being the case, he does not want to comment until after it’s gone back to council.