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Shooting, construction noise contentious in new bylaw

After more than 100 formal comments from residents, there are two issues in the town’s proposed noise bylaw proving to be a source of discord: construction on weekends and the sounds of the gun range.
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After more than 100 formal comments from residents, there are two issues in the town’s proposed noise bylaw proving to be a source of discord: construction on weekends and the sounds of the gun range.

A staff report heading to council on Monday, April 9, gives a summary of public comments received – 53 of which were regarding construction noise.

According to the report there were 43 comments opposed to weekend construction and a petition bearing 96 signatures with the same protest.

Five comments submitted supported the limits on construction proposed in the first draft of the bylaw.

Staff amended the draft bylaw to separate “domestic works” from “construction equipment noise” with the former referring to activities undertaken by an owner on their own property and the latter referring to commercial operation.

“The primary issue is whether to prohibit all construction equipment noise on Saturdays or to provide time restrictions,” states the report. “It needs to be emphasized that this bylaw is not intended to regulate construction activity. It is intended to regulate noise related to construction equipment. Should construction be occuring that is not creating any disturbance noise or not using equipment, officers would not enforce this bylaw.”

Staff proposed four options in the report going to council on April 9.  

The first is to limit construction equipment noise to the hours of 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and prohibit it altogether on Sundays and holidays.

The second option is to prohibit construction equipment noise on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.

The third, based on a bylaw that exists in Innisfil, includes an exemption permit. Construction noise would be prohibited except where a permit has been issued and the fee been paid.

A fourth option would allow construction equipment noise on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. if it is connected to construction activities, but it would be prohibited on Saturdays in developments not assumed by the town or on property where a site plan development agreement was approved.

Staff is recommending the first option with limited hours on Saturdays.

Council will be asked to choose an option to be included in the final draft of the bylaw.

Noise from the Collingwood Rod and Gun Club (CRGC) also triggered a strong response from the public with 42 comments submitted. Of those, 27 comments “oppose CRGC location or permitted periods” and 15 supported reduced permitted periods.

The gun club, located in Collingwood on Gun Club Road has been operating since the 1950s, and is a legal, non-conforming use of the property. According to the staff report, there’s been an increase in complaints since an increase in residential development in the area.

Currently, the hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

Staff is recommending reduced hours of operation, a plan supported by the gun club. The proposed hours of operation would be 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and Wednesday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday; 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday; and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays and holidays.

Further options in the report include prohibiting shooting on Sundays and holidays, further reduced hours and seasonal hours that would be more limited in July and August.

Town staff did seek a legal opinion regarding restricting the gun club use, and were told by municipal lawyer Eric Davis “placing unreasonable restrictions on a legal non-conforming uses would be cause for potential challenge.”

The recommendation before council is to authorize staff to finalize the draft noise bylaw including option one for both construction equipment noise and shooting facility noise.

The matter is included in the April 9 council agenda. The meeting begins at 5 p.m. at the town hall council chambers.

Click here for an earlier story by Collingwood Today on the draft noise control bylaw. 


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Erika Engel

About the Author: Erika Engel

Erika regularly covers all things news in Collingwood as a reporter and editor. She has 15 years of experience as a local journalist
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