The Impact

For many years, the residents of Road 111 and Forest Road enjoyed a relatively peaceful environment. However, the tranquility was disrupted with the change of ownership and business operations at the scrap metal yard on road 111. The company extended its operating hours and introduced additional heavy machinery, leading to incessant noise disturbances. This has significantly affected the quality of life for the surrounding residential properties, prompting a call for a review and amendment of noise by-laws to mitigate the impact.

In early 2021 several property owners began communicating with the Ministry of Environment (MOE) in hopes to get some relief from the extensive noise, crashing and thumping vibrations coming onto their properties.

It was a very tedious process of reporting a significant amount of noise occurrences. As a result the owner(s) took steps to help reduce the noise during regular operations, such as adding container bins and acoustical testing, which was much appreciated. However, when the sound test crew came to one of the home owner’s properties to monitor the noise, for the period of time there was no noise which is evident from two videos from a security camera. 

Despite efforts to reduce noise, it’s reasonable to expect some level of unavoidable sound due to the nature of the business. But the container bins have done little to reduce the noise and vibrations for neighboring properties.

These disruptions have left us feeling exhausted, unheard, and deprived of the ability to peacefully enjoy our properties. 

This noise continues every day, Monday through Saturday with Sunday being the only day of respite. And before 7am and after 7pm well into the evenings on many occassions. Even with the windows closed, the relentless noise and thumping vibrations persist, making it impossible to escape.

It’s been an exhausting and ongoing frustration, wasting resources and time for everyone involved. Despite property owner’s efforts to communicate with the owner and authorities to find a resolution, the situation improves for a few days before reverting, leaving everyone unable to enjoy their property again.

We ask you to picture this in your mind’s eye, you are abruptly awakened from a deep, restful sleep just after 6 a.m. The clanging, banging, metal crashing, the hum of heavy machinery, and incessant beeping of reverse alarms invade your home. Or imagine you are returning home after a long day of work and would like to enjoy the outdoors with your family, have a BBQ etc.