'Just constant noise': residents upset over city-approved construction racket at 5 a.m.
City of Vancouver approved 3 weeks of construction for new casino from 8 p.m. until 5 a.m.
A sleep deprived Vancouver residentis shocked to learn that the "unbearable" construction noiseoutsideherbuilding in the wee hours of the morning was actually approved by the city.
"It's just constant noise, like there's absolutely no peace and quiet," said Kristina Cisnero, who lives atBeatty and Smithestreets.
In the past three weeks, the city says it has received at least 15 complaints relatedto construction work being done for thenew Parqcasino development.
Tap the tweet to hear the noise
She says she was shocked to find out the construction work was approved by @CityofVancouver pic.twitter.com/qngcvHRoHW
—@tinalovgreen
ParqVancouver directed questions to the City of Vancouverbut said it has"complied with all processes with respect to noisevarianceand publicnotification"
The city approved nighttime work to be done every day from May 8 to May31, from8 p.m. until 5 a.m. for construction of a water mainfor the casino.
A spokesperson for the city said the work was approved in order to limit impact on traffic along Expo Boulevard and residents were notified prior to the start of the work.
Typically, the City of Vancouver prohibits construction noise past 8 p.m., but according to the city's website, one can apply fora noise bylaw exception permit.
"I was quite shocked," saidCisnero.
The construction noise a #Vancouver resident says she's had to put up with past 8 p.m. for several weeks now. pic.twitter.com/Lw9z8CxsMN
—@tinalovgreen
"It just didn't make any sense to me that they would allow this kind of noise and disruption in a residential area to continue past the normal construction permit time," she said.
Cisnero saidthe warm temperatures over the weekendalso meant she had to make a choice between living in sweltering heat or leaving the window open and inviting in the construction noise.
"When it was hot, it was unbearable," she said.
She hopesnext time, the city will consider residents before issuing such overnight work.
"Yes, you're the City of Vancouver. And yes, you're improving the city, but you should also take into consideration that there are residents around.
We also want to enjoy the city and our peace and quiet," she said.