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
BREAKING NEWS 'A horrible way to start the summer': 3 killed in serious boat crash on lake north of Kingston, Ont.
Three people were killed and five others were injured Saturday night following a boat crash on the Buck Bay area of Bobs Lake, north of Kingston, Ont., the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said.
Diddy admits beating ex-girlfriend Cassie, says he's sorry, calls his actions 'inexcusable'
Sean "Diddy" Combs admitted Sunday that he beat his ex-girlfriend in a hotel hallway in 2016 after CNN released video of the attack, saying in a video apology he was "truly sorry" and his actions were "inexcusable."
Walmart, Costco refusing to sign grocery code of conduct 'untenable': industry minister
Industry Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne says it's 'untenable' for 'smaller players' like Walmart and Costco to delay signing on to the government- and industry-led grocery code of conduct, now that industry giant Loblaw has agreed to do so.
Residents evacuated after threats made to residence in Fall River, N.S.
Nova Scotia RCMP are warning the public to avoid the area around Canterbury Lane in Fall River after a threat was made at a residence.
French security forces work to regain control of airport highway in violence-scorched New Caledonia
Using armoured vehicles and backhoes to shove aside charred barricades, French security forces worked Sunday to retake control of the highway to the international airport in violence-scorched New Caledonia, shuttered because of deadly unrest wracking the French Pacific archipelago where indigenous people have long sought independence from France.
The secret Italian lakes that most tourists don't know about
Italy has dozens of secret smaller lakes that boast superb scenery, unknown to mass tourism, where locals get together on day trips and enjoy picnics.
Signs of Alzheimer’s were everywhere. Then his brain improved
Blood biomarkers of telltale signs of early Alzheimer’s disease in the brain of his patient, 55-year-old entrepreneur Simon Nicholls, had all but disappeared in a mere 14 months.
Ottawa driver who appeared to be racing another vehicle on Highway 416 facing charges
The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) says an Ottawa driver is facing charges after being caught going 187 km/h on Highway 416.
Canadian immigration asks medical worker fleeing Gaza if he treated Hamas fighters
Lawyers are questioning Canada’s approach to screening visa applications for people in Gaza with extended family in Canada after one applicant, a medical worker, was asked whether he had treated members of Hamas.