File photo of Richmond Row-area resident Anna Maria Valastro near the patio of the Barking Frog. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News) File photo of Richmond Row-area resident Anna Maria Valastro near the patio of the Barking Frog. (Photo by Miranda Chant, Blackburn News)
London

Richmond Row-Area Resident Wants 'Protection From Noise Pollution'

While some may support the inclusion of music and dancing on Richmond Row patios, other area residents are fighting against it.

Anna Maria Valastro, who lives near Richmond Row near the Barking Frog nightclub, is part of a group of people who have effectively put a stop to the city’s temporary zoning bylaw, that would have allowed amplified music and dancing on bar and restaurant patios.

Valastro says appealing the bylaw, and stalling the trial program until at least 2017, will ensure the neighbourhood's concerns are heard.

"It tells [city council] we're not an invisible neighbourhood," says Valastro. "I don't think there's anyone in the city that really understands just how intrusive loud, amplified music is to your well being. Because this is 24/7, this is not a permit for a special event.... that's something everyone can tolerate, but this would be an ongoing, every single night provision."

On behalf of the North Talbot Community Association, Valastro filed one of two motions that have been sent to the Ontario Municipal Board regarding the bylaw. As long as the appeals remain before the municipal board, the city cannot move forward with the trial period, and the board not yet set a date to hear the appeals.

The six-week trial bylaw was approved by council on July 26 and would have come to an end September 30.

Valastro, whose family has lived in same John St. home since 1952, says they want the city to take into account the "social impacts" that may affect nearby neighbourhoods.

"We were very active in this process, and all the concerns we raised were just pushed aside," she says. "We appealed it because we don't think the city is genuine in trying to develop good public policy.

"They can do it next year, and they can do it right."

She says the city should be expected to record noise and litter complaints, as well as any increase in criminal activity, and take that into account during a six-week trial.

"We're at ground zero when it comes to understanding what the impacts of loud amplified music is on our psychology. It has physical impacts because we can't sleep at night," says Valastro.

There's also a concern, she says, that the temporary bylaw would lead to an increased presence of bar-goers wandering onto nearby residential streets like hers. As well, she feels the local community should be informed about exactly what would be allowed if the bylaw were to take effect.

"It could mean a radio on a patio, if that's what those bar owners want to do, but that's not likely," she says. "What they're really talking about is a large nightclub-type atmosphere up until 2am every night. That's what this is."

Valastro says she doesn't appose an experimental program, but adds that the bylaw would not be tolerated in other London neighbourhoods such as Wortley Village or the Masonville area.

"We expect the same protection from noise pollution as anybody else in the city," she says. "Just because we live in the [downtown] core, that doesn't mean our quality of life is diminished, because we have the same rights as anybody else that lives anywhere else in this city."

-With files from Miranda Chant

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