A resident in Windsor, Robert Redmond, is facing a challenging situation as the city is requesting him to reverse the alterations he made to his backyard, a task that could have devastating financial implications. Redmond expressed his concerns about the impending deadline, stating that the situation has caused him significant stress.
Upon purchasing his property in 2019 in the Fontainebleau neighborhood, Redmond discovered a berm and a cement wall in his backyard that served as sound barriers against the nearby train tracks. Observing that his neighbors had made modifications to these structures years ago, Redmond decided to follow suit. During the pandemic, he dismantled the shaky cement wall and removed the berm, which required the removal of approximately 52 dump truck loads of dirt.
Redmond invested $6,700 in this project to create more space for his children to play. However, following a neighbor’s complaint to the city, Redmond was instructed to reinstate the berm. The city gave him a year to engage a sound engineering specialist to redesign the structure.
Despite his extensive search for an engineer across Ontario, Redmond struggled to find one. Eventually, he contacted an engineer from the firm that originally designed the berm three decades ago. The engineer proposed a wooden fence as an alternative solution that could meet the sound requirements of the original berm. However, the city rejected this proposal, emphasizing the need to restore the berm for safety reasons in case of a train derailment.
The City of Windsor cited property standards bylaws that mandate the maintenance of sound barriers and berms for noise attenuation and train safety near active railway tracks. The city emphasized the necessity of complying with these regulations and stated that violations could lead to enforcement actions.
Colin Novak, an engineering professor at the University of Windsor, explained the importance of berms in reducing noise and vibration and ensuring safety along railway lines. He highlighted that berms are a standard safety measure mandated by provincial guidelines and railway regulations.
Redmond expressed frustration with the situation, noting that restoring the berm by the city’s deadline could cost his family over $50,000. He highlighted the financial burden this would impose on his family, emphasizing that they are struggling to find a solution while facing potential penalties for non-compliance.
The looming deadline and financial implications have left Redmond feeling stuck and uncertain about the future. He expressed distress over the impact this situation has had on his family and the lack of clarity on how to proceed.