In response to concerns about impacts of the Wal-Mart development on the cemetery, Mr. Prakash David, director of development for 6 & 7 Developments, is quoted in Friday’s Tribune as saying “the cemetery had opportunities in the past to voice concerns about the effects of the development of the node. They knew the development was coming for many years, he said. ‘It can’t be laid solely at the foot of the developer…'”
Mr. Prakash’s comments are insulting. The problem was not that the community was not voicing its concerns, the problem was that 6 & 7 Developments and the Council of the day were not listening. Residents voiced their concerns and the developer chose to ignore those concerns. Moreover, sworn affidavits submitted in the Multi-Faith challenge to 6 & 7 by local clergy detail concerns about impacts on the cemetery. 6 & 7 cannot absolve itself from significant responsibility for the current situation by pretending that no one objected.
The Cemetery Board is not the only stakeholder with an interest in the Cemetery. In any discussions about mitigation measures for the cemetery, users of the cemetery and religious leaders from various faith groups who conduct internments need to be invited to the table.
In fact, it is noise concerns which are commonly cited by clergy. Any future expansion of the 6 & 7 site, now or at a future date, should be contingent on significant mitigation for the cemetery. This could include visually aesthetic sound walls. Although it was a previous Council who approved this development, the City does share responsibility for addressing these concerns. Home Depot may not have any legal obligations to contribute financially, but given their proximity to the cemetery, it would be a demonstration of good corporate citizenship if they were to participate in mitigation initiatives.
Below I have documented previously stated concerns about the cemetery which are on the public record.
The following are excepts from the minutes of the May 25th, 2004 Council meeting at the Italian Canadian Club. Concern for the cemeteries was widely voiced, however the minutes only capture a fraction of each delegation.
Bill Barrett advised that cemeteries are sacred place and the surroundings should be peaceful. He suggested that Council needs to make sound planning decisions. He further suggested those shopping centres are incompatible with cemeteries. He urged Council to air on the side of serenity.Rev. Sharon Chapman advised that she is the pastor for the First Baptist Church and has presided over many interments at the Woodlawn Cemetery where she has had to shout due to the traffic noise. She further advised that the sacredness of the cemeteries needs to be honoured. She asked Council to vote against the proposal.
Heath Lekx advised that she objects to Wal-Mart locating on lands that will be negatively affected. She suggested that the noise and traffic of big box stores are in conflict with the cemeteries. She further suggested that allowing Wal-Mart will pave the way for other development in the area. She asked Council to vote against allowing Wal-Mart to locate in the 6&7 area.
George Kelly advised that he has lived in Guelph since 1972 and wants to preserve the values of the City. He suggested that the dignity of the cemeteries needs to be respected. He asked the Council to vote in the best interests of the citizens.
Connie Shaw advised that she objects to the proposed location for Wal-Mart. She further advised that she is a member of the Guelph Ministerial Association and the association has concerns regarding the proposed location. She suggested that locating Wal-Mart between two cemeteries and the Jesuit Centre will affect the quiet of the locations.
The following are excepts from sworn affidavits from the Multi-Faith challenge filed in 2006:
Rev. John Lawson, Dublin Street United Church: “As a minister I find myself frequently conducting burial services in Woodlawn Cemetery. It is already difficult, in some parts of the cemetery, to make myself heard because of the roar of traffic as I gather with a family to lay to rest a beloved member of their family. The prospect of even greater noise and traffic is not something I look forward to. But of course, I will do my job. I might not like it but I will still offer the services that I can in the best way that I can in that cemetery. I do that because I have to.”
Rev: Paul Clarkson, Three Willows United Church: “As an Ordained Minister in the United Church of Canada, and as a resident of Guelph who has used the Ignatius Jesuit Centre on many occasions for Spiritual nurture, I have serious concerns about the compatibility of the Centre and the proposed development. In addition, I feel strongly that by allowing the proposed development to go forward, the quality of my experience at the Centre will be negatively affected by an increase in noise, traffic, and smog. In addition, the two Cemeteries abutting these lands will be adversely affected by these same negative affects….
I have also conducted many burial services in Woodlawn Cemetery during the past six years. Again, with these experiences the quiet beauty of this sacred space touched me. Although surrounded by commercial developments and busy streets, Woodlawn Cemetery is a quiet oasis where families and friends can gather in peace to pay their last respects and say “good-bye”, to their loved one. In addition to performing burials, on one occasion I met a friend for lunch at Woodlawn Cemetery and in the quiet of that sacred space he shared the struggles and challenges of his life, with me and with God.”
Connie Shaw: In the cemeteries there is quiet to reflect on the mysteries of life and death, of my own and others. I know a number of people in each of the two cemeteries and often visit. I almost always see others in the cemetery, fixing a gravesite, standing quietly and sometimes in tears….
Now imagine the noise of large trucks zooming by. The beeps of a truck backing up, the slamming of large doors on trucks and buildings, the chatter and yells of people, the activity of the comings and goings. All of it is distracting and disrupting, in many ways preventing the quiet and peace needed. The proposed large commercial center will be very near the southern edge of the Retreat Centre and the Cemetery and directly across from the other Cemetery..Already there are highway and business noises, further commercial development will push the noise beyond anything bearable.
Rev. Sharon Chapman (formerly a pastor at First Baptist Church, Guelph)….”I am very aware that a move to high intensity retail will directly impact he rights and practises of those making use of the cemeteries and those on retreat or involved in the Ignatius Centre. It is out of respect for the users of these properties and the sacredness of the land that I will direct my comments.
It is not an uncommon sight to observe numbers of individuals or small groups of people visiting the cemetery grounds on a regular basis. These people can be observed quietly walking amongst the graves, reading the writings on the grave stones, placing flowers or stones at sites, sitting, praying, meditating or just remembering. These are all behaviours and practises which speak of respect, honouring, remembering those whose lives have passed on before them. There is a solitude, a solemnity, a sacredness of holding another persons life in their thoughts and prayers. There is a sense of the Holy being present. This is not only occurring in the minds of those present, but also in the surroundings. The natural beauty of the trees (tremendous variety), the winding roads, the benches, the landscape and the wildlife all come together to create a place of rest. This is a place of reflection, a place to find comfort beyond ourselves, a place of prayer, a place to be still in the presence of God.
How often I have performed internment services at a grave site and have experienced the emotion and grief expressed by the families and friends of the deceased. How sacred this point in time, as well as this space becomes for these families as they say their farewells; they cry out in the mortality to the immortal for a sense of meaning and hope….
As I contemplate the bylaw that is in discussion and the resulting action on the land near the cemeteries and Ignatius Centre, I am faced with some deep concerns. Probably the most obvious is the concern of the increased traffic, noise, light and general busyness. Already it is difficult at times to speak at an internment service and be heard over the noise of the traffic. This noise is also a direct infringement on the practises and needs of those walking and meditating in the cemetery grounds. I am also aware of the present, and therefore potentially increased difficulty for funeral processions entering the cemetery and trying to make a left turn across tow lanes of traffic. It is a hazard now with present traffic flow….
I am aware that the much closer proximity of the proposed development will increase this noise interruption considerably as well as adding trucks backing up, neon and halogen lights and extended business hours seven days a week.
I sense for myself that although these are obvious changes that will occur and that there is no question that there will be a significant, quantitative and qualitative impact on the Centre and the cemeteries and those who use them, there is a deeper issue for me which saddens by heart and causes me to speak up. This concern is the seemingly, apparent lack of recognition and respect for the safe guarding of this sacred land that has been a part of the history and of the establishment of the City. SW