Re: City blasted over project (Oct. 19).
If Parksville’s noise bylaw permits dynamite blasts that assault eardrums and shake houses, then it’s a pretty useless piece of paper.
Bylaw No. 1432, under General Prohibitions, bans “any noise or sound” which disturbs the “quiet, peace” and enjoyment of a neighbourhood. Seems pretty clear. Then, a few lines later, under 3 (2) (h), developers are let off the hook: blasting is permitted from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.
While development (read: destruction of natural spaces and removal of trees) is necessary to a degree, it has to be controlled. Development is intended to serve the public good. Perhaps developments which do the types of prolonged damage to neighbours’ health and well-being as described in this story shouldn’t be allowed in the first place.
Since our constitution gives us a right to peace, order, and good government, maybe the solution lies with the courts.
Brad Bird
Parksville