Cambridge man may need to tear down retaining wall city made him build
A Cambridge homeowner is sharing his frustration after the city ordered him to rebuild a retaining wall along his property on Edward Street.
Constantin Vasilescu paid around $40,000 to have the wall rebuilt after the city filed two minimum standards orders in 2021 and 2022.
Now that the work is complete, there’s a new complication.
A recent sidewalk proposal would mean he’d have to change a section of the newly rebuilt wall.
“It makes no sense, really, to put a sidewalk,” argues Vasilescu.
The City of Cambridge told CTV News that stretch of Edward Street was identified as a priority area for a potential sidewalk and research has begun to determine if the move is necessary.
“We’re not asking to have [the retaining wall] removed or torn down,” said Alana Russell with the City of Cambridge. “What it does is it impedes on the walkway where the sidewalk would potentially go. That portion would have to be adjusted.”
Vasilescu said he’s frustrated because the city told him the wall met all required dimensions when it was being built.
“I had the bylaw inspector inspecting the wall at the end of the project and he said there was no concern,” Vasilescu explained.
The city hosted a public meeting for residents to discuss the sidewalk proposal on Wednesday and reaction seemed to be split. Some of the area residents who spoke with CTV New supported the idea while others were against it. Even though there’s interest in the walkway, the city said it doesn’t mean the project will get the green light.
“I would say it’s too soon to jump to any conclusions as to an outcome, or even whether or not a sidewalk would be implemented in that location,” Russell said. “Really the purpose of public consultation is to identify issues that may come forward.”
Residents can still give their input on the sidewalk proposal.
Vasilescu doesn’t know how much it will cost to remove a portion of his retaining wall, but said he’s willing to fight if the city wants him to foot the bill.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
PWHL Minnesota defeats Boston to win inaugural Walter Cup
Minnesota won the inaugural championship of the Professional Women’s Hockey League on Wednesday night, getting 17 saves from Nicole Hensley to beat Boston 3-0 in a winner-take-all Game 5 and claim the Walter Cup.
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Oilers rally to beat Stars, tie Western Conference Final
With the Edmonton Oilers down two goals late in the first period of Game 4, Rogers Place was quiet, fans seemingly bewildered at the early, quick scoring of the Dallas Stars and the slow start by the home team. Ryan McLeod's marker with six-and-a-half minutes in the opening frame left changed all that.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
'Targeted again': Montreal police investigate after gunshot fired at Jewish school
Police are investigating another building in Montreal's community was struck by gunfire.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.