NEC fails to protect

Editor:
Based on personal experience of building in the area, I read with interest the decision by the Niagara Escarpment Commission to approve the Fennario Meadows Lavender Farm.
In service of protecting the natural escarpment environment from the impact of the development, the best the Commission staff could muster was an objection based upon designated land use criteria.
This calls into question their current definition of the “environment” they seek to protect.
Ten years ago, when we sought to build our house Commission staff expressed concern that the southern orientation of our proposed home might cause excessive window glare.
This glare that might negatively impact the enjoyment of the “environment” by our neighbours or those travelling through the area.
They went so far as to suggest that window awnings might lessen the deleterious impact of the glare.
After further investigation, they relented.
This would suggest that their concern for the “environment” has dramatically narrowed in the intervening decade.
I can assure the Commission that any increase in traffic on County Road 9 to access the farm, will certainly negatively impact the ability of all of us on the road to enjoy the “environment” the Commission is meant, but failing, to “protect.”
James McSherry,
Dunedin.