Keep Sidney’s Green Neighbourhoods True to Their Natural Character

Community Petition Opposing the Redevelopment at 10255 Resthaven Drive, Sidney

To the Mayor, Council, and the Technical Staff of the Town of Sidney — including the departments responsible for planning, development services, engineering, parks, and environmental management:

We, the undersigned residents and supporters, respectfully ask the Town of Sidney to reconsider the proposed redevelopment at 10255 Resthaven Drive. While the project may meet zoning requirements, compliance alone does not guarantee that it is the best choice for our neighbourhood or for the long‑term health of Mermaid Creek.

A Rare Urban Green Space

For decades, this half‑acre property has been one of Sidney’s last natural refuges. Its mature trees, vegetation, and bird habitat provide ecological benefits that cannot be quickly replaced once lost.

The proposal would remove 26 of 51 mature trees. Replacement saplings cannot replicate the shade, cooling, stormwater absorption, or wildlife habitat provided by trees that have grown for decades. These losses would be felt for generations.

A Major Change to Neighbourhood Character

The project would replace a single home with four dwellings, including a duplex facing Resthaven Drive and two additional homes near Mermaid Creek.

Buildings reaching 10 metres (33 feet) would permanently transform a property currently defined by open green space and tall trees, altering both the streetscape and the character of the neighbourhood.

Protecting Mermaid Creek

Mermaid Creek is one of Sidney’s most sensitive natural features. Mature trees and natural soils play a critical role in absorbing rainfall, slowing runoff and filtering pollutants.

Replacing these natural systems with roofs, driveways, and foundations reduces the land’s ability to manage stormwater. Increased runoff can contribute to erosion, flooding, and stress on a creek that has already experienced more frequent flash‑flood events.

The proposed concrete driveway around the duplex would further reduce permeable surface and may affect the root system of the large giant sequoia on the property (probably the oldest tree in Sidney)  — a species known to be vulnerable to soil compaction and changes in water availability which can affect its health and stability.

Even if technical stormwater requirements are met, the long‑term ecological and hydrological impacts on Mermaid Creek should not be underestimated.

What Our Community Stands to Lose

This redevelopment would:

• permanently alter neighbourhood character
• replace mature trees with small saplings
• remove a peaceful green sanctuary
• intensify development beside a sensitive creek corridor
• reduce natural stormwater absorption capacity

These environmental and community costs are significant and irreversible within our lifetime.

Our Request

We respectfully urge the Town of Sidney — elected officials and technical staff alike — to:

• Full environmental & stormwater impact review
• Protect Mermaid Creek’s water and riparian systems
• Maximize preservation of mature tree canopy
• Maintain the site’s natural character
• Reassess driveway impacts on the giant sequoia (independent arborist + root‑zone analysis)

We oppose the proposed redevelopment at 10255 Resthaven Drive and ask decision‑makers to protect this valuable green space for current and future generations.

Once mature trees and natural landscapes are removed, they cannot be restored within our lifetime. We ask that this special place be protected before the loss becomes permanent.

Final Remarks

Approving this project would set a troubling precedent, encouraging similar intensification along sensitive natural corridors and accelerating the retreat of the green spaces that define this neighbourhood. The removal of so many mature trees in a protected natural zone does not make sense and raises serious concerns about stewardship.