Peterborough Resident asks Provincial Environmental Commissioner to Investigate Excessive Noise and Blocking of Sunlight

PETERBOROUGH, ON, Oct. 17, 2012 /CNW/ - Peterborough resident, Anne Langdon is filing the City's first investigation application under Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights related to unreasonable and excessive noise, alleging violations of Section 14 of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA). Ms. Langdon is taking this unprecedented step as the City has refused to address the on-going noise from her neighbour's frequent basketball practice within 2 feet of her window over the past 3 years.

In addition to the noise disturbances, Ms. Langdon is requesting that the Environmental Commissioner investigate the use of a tall barrier built by her neighbours and placed in front of her window for months, blocking her light. The barrier was built after she spoke to her neighbours about the noise.

For pictures of the barrier and basketball playing area see:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/49693895@N03/sets/72157631721072208/detail/

Ms. Langdon noted, "the City has a bylaw for noise 'likely to disturb', but it does not have a bylaw for blocking light." She is citing contraventions of Section 14 of the EPA which addresses "impairment of the quality of the natural environment for any use that can be made of it," and "loss of enjoyment of normal use of property."

To ensure that similar instances are effectively addressed in future she is requesting that City Council ask the City Solicitor to investigate and report back on:

1. The need for a bylaw addressing deliberate blocking of daylight
2. The problem of noise in residential areas
3. The effectiveness of the current noise bylaw and the adequacy of its enforcement

SOURCE: Anne Langdon & Associates

Anne Langdon
705-745-2037
[email protected]