Over two dozen residents packed into the Laurentian Valley council chambers to listen to a discussion surrounding a gate blocking Hazley Bay Drive from Forest Park Road.
In 2017, council was approached by Ministry of Transportation (MTO) to use Hazley Bay Drive as a detour during work on Highway 148. At the time, letters were sent to impacted residents for comments. After reviewing the comments, council agreed to allow the MTO to use Hazley Bay Drive based on the MTO paying for the rehabilitation of the road and installing a gate after they finished work. In 2019, residents appeared before council to discuss the future of the gate and ultimately the road was left as is with the gate installed. Since the subdivision was registered in 1989, Hazley Bay Drive had been stopped on the eastern end prior to Forest Park Drive.
On Tuesday night (January 10th, 2023), Laurentian Valley Council heard that 110 residents have signed a petition to open the gate and allow traffic through. Andy Séguin appeared before council to present the petition signed by residents on Forest Park Road, Bayview Drive, Bays End Road, Gull Road and Sullivan Point Road, but not Hazley Bay Drive. Séguin says these five roads are blocked off due to the gate being installed and feel they are in a jeopardized situation. Séguin says the main concern involves delays for first responders such as police, fire and paramedics. Séguin provided a number of examples of emergencies and says paramedics have had to turn around after their GPS took them down Hazley Bay Drive on their way to Forest Park Road.
Mayor Steve Bennett says residents from Hazley Bay Drive who are in support of keeping the gate will likely present at the first council meeting in February with council to make a final decision early in March after hearing from both sides.
Google Maps showing Forest Park Road and Hazley Bay Drive do not connect
Photo from Google Maps of Forest Park Road at Hazley Bay Drive in 2012.
Photo of Forest Park Road at Hazley Bay Drive in January 2023.
(written by: Rudy Kadlec)