Milton couple wants huge backyard barrier torn down

A Milton couple wants the city to tear down a giant stone barrier that’s been dubbed The Great Wall of Milton, saying it has not only destroyed their once-idyllic country view, but makes a mockery of municipal bylaws.

The Syers say their neighbour built the wall, which is six-and-half metres high and 91 metres long, in 2008 after a property dispute.

The couple had complained to the city about a mound of earth their neighbour was building that allegedly caused water to pool on their property.

Shortly after, the mammoth wall started going up, brick by brick.

“I think it’s a retaliatory move,” said Tim Syer. “The Berlin Wall is actually 12 feet high, so it’s almost twice the height of the Berlin Wall, in our backyard.”

The towering stone barrier soars well above the allowable height for fences under Milton bylaw, which is 2 meters above ground level.

“Most people I tell about it think I’m exaggerating and then they come out and go, ‘Oh my god, I didn’t believe you that it is this big.’ It’s huge, you have to see it,” added Marilyn Syer.

Milton Coun. Brian Penman says the wall was built to be a sound barrier after several complaints that the Syers were too loud.

“I think he had a number of complaints (about) consistent noise late into the night from the adjoining (Syers’) property.”

In 2013 the city’s planning department recommended that a request to allow the barrier be denied, saying sound barriers of that magnitude are meant for highways and railways, not to mute typical backyard noises.

An upcoming hearing with the Ontario Municipal Board has been postponed.

The man who built the barrier passed away in December and his wife has been dealing with the issue.

For now the Syers will have to get used to the grey concrete beast, but they aren’t giving up hope that it will be toppled and their view, and faith, will be restored.

“First and foremost we’d like the wall gone and the way that we hope to achieve that is by compelling the town of Milton to enforce the bylaws,” said Tim Syer.

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