Timber Trails trailer park expansion well received by public

LUCASVILLE - A large crowd packed the Lucasville Community Centre for last week's public hearing about the planned expansion of the Timber Trails Mobile Home Park located off Lucasville Road.

The well-kept Timber Trails Ltd. community is often held up as an example of a model mobile home park. The owners applied for an expansion to coincide with and facilitate construction of a new waste water treatment system designed to bring the treatment system up to current standards.

The development agreement allows for an additional 180 new mobile home spaces on top of the current 230 units, and creates two new park streets. The upgraded sewage treatment system site will be located across the street from the mobile home park.

While the majority of those who spoke during the public hearing were in favour of the expansion, there were some concerns raised by a few residents who live in the nearby Waterstone subdivision.

Nick Antoft prefaced his comments by identifying himself as a member of the Waterstone Neighbourhood Association who was speaking solely on his own behalf. Although he was in favour of the expansion, Antoft wanted to ensure buffers would be maintained, that parking would not be allowed on loop areas of the expanded park, and that a road reserve would be retained if needed as a future outlet for traffic.

Some opposition

Three other residents from the Waterstone community expressed opposition to the expansion. Craig Feron said he didn't understand why a sewage treatment issue should be resolved by allowing a trailer park expansion.

"It's an environmental issue that should be addressed today, whether the property owners have the money or not, that's business," he said, noting he also had a hard time believing local traffic wouldn't be significantly impacted.

Waterstone resident Diane MacDonald said although the park is a beautiful, well-maintained space, she also had concerns about increased traffic and about the high density of the development.

"It has always been very quiet and I don't know what it will do to us to add that much volume in such a short period of time," she said.

Ross MacDonald also brought up the sewage treatment issue and expressed concerns about a high density of mobile homes and the maintenance of buffers between the park and his subdivision.

Local real estate agent Finley Evong was one of many in favour of the development, noting many of his clients prefer to buy homes in the popular Timber Trails park.

'Good option'

"Contrary to popular opinion, not everyone wants to sell their home and move to Halifax and get a condo," he said. "This is a good option for our retirees, it's well-planned and should be allowed."

A handful of retirees also spoke up in support of the expansion, applauding efforts by park operators to create more spaces for those on waiting lists anxious to call Timber Trails home. They described the mobile home park as a well-structured, vibrant community.

Timber Trails resident Betty Lou Killen said it's unfortunate the neighbourhood is referred to as a "trailer park." She said she preferred to describe it as a land lease community with a great diversity of members who value each other.

"I've been a (Timber Trails) resident for 21 years. It's a quiet, well-kept park and people take pride in their properties there," said Kevin McGraw. "I know we don't live in $300,000 homes, but we take pride in what we have."

North West Community Council approved the development agreement with the proviso that a road easement be retained until the construction of the proposed Highway 101 connector.

"I recognize the catalyst to this is the mobile home park owner has sewage issues and has been mandated to fix it," said Coun. Brad Johns shortly before approving the development agreement.

"I don't view the decision to be based on the sewage issue, but more on the fact that we do, in our district, need a variety of housing options to keep people in the community."

ydentremont@hfxnews.ca