A resident of Windsor, Robert Redmond, is facing a challenge from the city to reverse the alterations he made to his backyard, which he fears could lead to financial strain. Redmond, residing in Fontainebleau, purchased his home in 2019, which had a berm and a cement wall to reduce train track noise. Observing that his neighbors had modified similar structures years ago, Redmond decided to do the same. He dismantled the shaky wall and removed the hill, totaling around 52 dump truck loads of dirt, at a cost of $6,700 to create more play space for his children.
However, a neighbor reported the changes to the city, prompting officials to instruct Redmond to reestablish the berm within a year with the assistance of a sound engineer. Despite extensive search efforts, Redmond struggled to find a suitable engineer until connecting with one linked to the original berm design. The engineer proposed a wooden fence alternative that met sound requirements comparable to the original berm.
City authorities, citing property standards bylaws, emphasized the necessity to maintain sound barriers and berms for safety near active train tracks. Colin Novak, a University of Windsor engineering professor, highlighted the essential role of berms in noise reduction and safety compliance. Although alternative sound barriers like fences were considered, a berm was deemed the standard for safety along railroad tracks in North America.
Redmond expressed concerns about the financial burden of reinstating the berm by the city’s deadline, especially since penalties and reinstallation costs could exceed $50,000. Feeling unfairly targeted compared to non-compliant neighbors, Redmond highlighted the detrimental impact on his family’s finances and future plans. Despite canceling discretionary expenses like a Disney subscription, Redmond remains uncertain about meeting the city’s requirements and seeks assistance to navigate the challenging situation.