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And the Unitarian Congregation has some very valid concerns. The latest route — over which the city is still arguing with the NCC — would have light-rail trains running three or four metres below the church’s property, under what is now surface parking. The church has publicly stated that this is “unacceptable.”

As first reported by the Citizen’s Matthew Pearson, the church worries about the disruption that would be caused by as much as two years of construction not just for congregation members, but for those in the seniors residence and in the daycare, both of which are located on the Unitarian Congregation’s property. And the church would lose its parking spaces during the construction.

Furthermore, it’s possible the church won’t be able to develop its property directly over the light rail tunnel the way it might want. This is somewhat debatable as, according to city officials, they’d still be able to build a four-to-six-storey building, but they could forget about any plans to build underground parking.

These are completely legitimate concerns that the city must address, including compensating the Unitarian Congregation for any loss of value to their land.

But some of the Unitarians’ other complaints are hard to swallow.

There will be too much vibration? Perhaps during the construction that will be an issue, but shouldn’t be once the tunnel is completed as it doesn’t run under any of the existing buildings, including the daycare. Also, the train will be moving quite slowly — hence causing little vibration anyway — as it will have just left Cleary Station when it’s travelling under the church property.