Residents Voice Concerns Over Traffic Impact of Proposed Development

By: Laura Steiner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Milton Reporter

Ferguson Drive residents in the Louis St. Laurent area of Milton voiced their concerns at a recent public meeting on a proposed development. Mattamy Homes hosted the meeting at Sainte Anne Catholic Elementary School late last month.

The plans for the development propose three mid-rise buildings totaling 540 units and 78 two- and three-storey townhomes, located directly south of St. Anne Catholic School along Ferguson Drive. The land is currently zoned for future development and backs onto the Natural Heritage System to the north. Directly south of the proposed development is Craig Kielburger Secondary School (CKSS), with Louis St. Laurent and Ferguson Drive being the nearest major intersection. Traffic consultants estimate approximately 200 cars will enter and exit the development during peak periods.

Several residents raised concerns about the traffic impact of the development. Annu Wick, who has lived in the area for over a decade, noted worsening traffic since the widening of Louis St. Laurent. “After the road widening on Louis St. Laurent, traffic has gotten really, really bad,” Wick said.

Katie Whitehorn, a mother of two with one child attending CKSS, echoed these concerns. “Traffic is a big problem, and if you add 500-600 people like they’re proposing, an already bad traffic problem is only going to get worse,” she said. Whitehorn also suggested lowering the height of the buildings. “What they’re calling a mid-rise at 12 storeys, to me, is a high-rise. The condos should be between three and six storeys.”

Fred Hanna, who has two children attending St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Secondary School and CKSS, described a near-accident while dropping his children off at school. “You’re going to make the traffic worse,” he said. “It’s only a matter of time. You’re going to make headline news for a very, very bad reason. Bad planning is their doing, and we’re all living with it.”

The development falls under the Boyne Secondary Plan, which prioritizes roundabouts over all-way stops. “Roundabouts are considered a safe alternative to traffic signals that reduce vehicle speeds, eliminate right-angle crashes, and reduce the likelihood and severity of collisions,” said Town of Milton spokesperson Rob Faulkner. The town is considering adding flashing beacons to the pedestrian crossing on the west side of the roundabout and improving line painting on the westbound approach. Increased police enforcement during school hours and pedestrian education are also under consideration.

Hanna, however, prefers replacing the roundabout with traffic lights. “It stops four-way and allows the kids to cross safely,” he said. Decisions regarding the placement of roundabouts or stoplights are based on traffic studies and the town’s official plan. The Boyne Secondary Plan also considers school board needs, with the final step identifying potential school sites. The school boards themselves decide whether to proceed with a purchase or expropriation of land.

Ward 3 Councillor Adil Khaliqi attended the meeting and applauded Mattamy for being proactive early in the process. “There’s obviously an opportunity here to have further conversations with the developer—lots of residents today engaged about traffic issues on Louis St. Laurent and the importance of traffic safety. That’s definitely a priority for me, and something I will work with the developer on to address,” Khaliqi said. The full proposal is expected to be presented to council early next year.