Being trapped in a cul-de-sac during an emergency evacuation could cost lives because as it stands now, there is but a single exit from this subdivision, and these potential homes are farthest away from it. Even if an emergency egress is built (a second road), the congestion exiting a 240 m road into traffic streaming from Teresa Rd, Copper Hill Lane, Copper Hill Place, etc. would be impossible to navigate. Why would the District even contemplate removing a Bylaw requirement for emergency access - especially when that access could be useful in aiding evacuation from nearby properties on Teresa, Copper Hill Lane, and other roads if an egress is ever built? Residents from those roads could go through this new development to the emergency egress, allowing other feeder routes to more easily access the egress from the Sherman/Copper Hill end. 

The larger issue is access in general into and out of these subdivisions. Residents of Clearwater and Copper Hill subdivisions (“Sunburn Hill”), parents of students at Peter Greer and their teachers, emergency services (fire, police, ambulance), regular road users - all are impacted by increasing traffic congestion entering and exiting the subdivisions via a single access road. Our fear is that it will take a tragedy like a child being hit by a car or a fire trapping people in their homes to make you understand how dire our situation is. 

Now you are contemplating a variance to remove the requirement for an emergency access route for a development that has been built out in such a way as to avoid constructing a second public road access for more than 20 years. In those 20 years, the promise of a second road has morphed from a paved public road through to Beaver Lake Road to a construction trail wandering down to McCarthy Road, open for emergency egress only. 

We are asking you to:

 1. DENY the variance application. There are good reasons the Bylaw was enacted - emergency egress could make a life or death difference to people trapped in a cul-de sac with only one way out. This access route could also provide an additional passage for nearby residents. 
2. PAUSE further development on the hillside until a second public road has been built. In addition, an updated environmental impact and assessment review, along with fully transparent community consultation, should guide any future development. Any site prep currently proceeding should be stopped immediately. 
3. HOLD the developers accountable for their assurances that they would build a second access road after each of the variances they received previously.
4. STOP ignoring the voices of the residents who consider a second road is urgent and essential and should take priority over future development or variances to same.