Hanover council has finally settled on a path forward, actually a sidewalk forward, on how to close the East End Trail loop.
The choice brings an end to months of public debate for what Councillor Brandon Koebel called "the most contentious item" of this council term.
Back in March, residents asked council to scrap plans for a naturalized path that would lead from the existing trail near the dog park to a proposed parking lot along 24th Street.
Councillors voted in favour of that, before a group of residents asked the town to reconsider, including an online petition with over 600 signatures.
Mayor Sue Paterson pushed for a compromise between the two groups, but this week, council voted for the sidewalk option.
Councillor Carol Hudson said there was always going to be a group that was upset with the choice, but the town still has a great trail network.
"A great investment has been made in our trail system in recent years, so please remember that we are not anti-trail," she said. "The East end is a continuation of a walking path, or a connectivity loop. Please enjoy what we have currently, it was a long wait, and it is beautiful."
A report brought back to council this week showed the developer Saugeen Cedar Heights West Subdivision developer should be able to build the sidewalks along 18th and 19th Street from 22nd to 24th Avenue at no additional cost instead of the nature trail. Staff noted that estimated was based on the work being completed this year.
The Town will forfeit a "significant portion" of a possible $47,000 grant for the trail as a result of this option. Staff said only only $8,000 of it has been spent on trail rehabilitation so far.
Councillor Dave Hocking said in no uncertain terms he sided with the property owners.
"This is just a subjective feeling of mine, but I get the feeling that the pro-trail people want this because they deserve it, and really don't care one way or the other, on the impact this trail has on local residents," said Hocking. "The impact of the trail compromises people's privacy. It ruins and destroys the natural habitat of fauna and flora."
Hocking also took exception to one resident who suggested he had a conflict of interest on the matter because of a family member that works in real estate, saying that the Integrity Commissioner found the allegation baseless.
In a recorded vote, all council members approved the sidewalk option, with only Mayor Paterson voting against.
"I am going to state again, I wholly believe our role as council is to carefully, thoughtfully and fiscally balance the concerns and recommendations of the entire community," she said. "Whether someone prefers a trail or prefers sidewalks, our responsibility is to listen to the people of this community, and I am in favour of the compromise."
As the Town has not assumed the subdivision yet, the sidewalks will not be maintained over the winter in the short term.
