Have you been startled by the sudden loud noise that can be heard in Trent Hills over the last year?

A rocket engine testing facility has been built in our Municipality on County Rd 29 and Johnston Road. The company, SpaceRyde, are based in Toronto and none of the owners, employees or stakeholders lives in our region.

SpaceRyde cleverly found a Rural lot on the boundary of Trent Hills. They were able to get the facility up and running without any neighbours being informed as the use case did not require a formal public council meeting.

The sound can be heard for many miles and startles anyone in the nearby vicinity. Horses may bolt, and pets are distressed. Wildlife is disrupted. People's safety is at risk as the startling noise may cause anyone horseback riding, bicycling, motorcycling, working on a ladder or rooftop to momentarily lose concentration as they process the alarming sound. 

Of course, there are also safety concerns with the combustible material brought to the site and the traffic passing on County Rd 29, as well as mental health concerns, environmental concerns, etc. 

Since the category "rocket or jet engine testing facility" is not explicitly detailed in our zoning bylaws our local officials have given them the green light to operate under their current zoning of "Rural / Environmentally Sensitive/Protected". The noise bylaws strangely seem not to apply even though our 17 year old bylaw clearly states:

8. No person shall generate any noise from any commercial use that is clearly audible at a distance of 15 metres from any property line of the property upon which the building, structure or equipment from which the noise is emanating is located. 

There is now a precedent if this company needs to expand, or a competing company is looking for a testing facility location. Trent Hills has become the go-to place for rocket and jet engine testing. Simply purchase a property zoned Rural regardless of neighboring homes or towns. 

Many neighbors are outraged, but have been told by the Municipality that there is nothing that can be done. The company has agreed to text all concerned parties one day in advance so that they can bring animals inside, close the windows, and shelter-in-place until the test is complete.

Note that this company pays very little tax to the Municipality as they don't live here and the property is Rural with minimal development.

We can stop this.

The zoning and noise bylaws need to be updated. A "commercial, specific use" zoning category needs to be created for any entity that wishes to test jet or rocket engines in our Municipality. Any company would need to apply for a zoning change and this takes council approval in a public forum.

The noise bylaw was passed in 2005 and needs to cover the scenario of a sudden jarring noise, not just maximum decibel levels achieved. 

If we take action SpaceRyde will be in violation of both the noise bylaw and the zoning bylaw. They will need to apply for Commercial Zone Specific zoning as a public process. Other companies wishing to start a similar facility will need to do the same. 

Do you live in Trent Hills? Are there properties zoned Rural near you? This issue does affect you! Please sign this petition and call your local elected councillor.