The face of growth

Posted by Magda
I don't envy councillors when discussion turns to infill developments. On one hand they've been told by the province how dense the city needs to be and how many new people need to move here in the next 25 years. On the other hand, I've yet to see an established neighbourhood accept extra development with open arms.

There was lots of anger tonight among residents who came to talk about the three buildings of condos for seniors that St. Joseph's plans to build.

Lisa Sharp, who lives on nearby Kimberley Drive, told council she understands the city needs to grow to the degree dictated by the province. "But I don't believe this is the place to start. And anyway, who runs our city -- council or the province? There's plenty of opportuntiy to create new subdivisions."

But staff explained they were requiring the developer to build at least 300 units to make sure they contribute to the city's density requirements under the provincial Places to Grow act.

And Councillor Maggie Laidlaw explained the city, in some ways, can't control its own destiny because of provincial requirements. "Although we would like to be able to control our grown, we can't do that," she said.

She explained the city can't limit buildings to one or two stories near residential neighbourhoods. "If we use that rule throughout the city, then we will never be able to infill anywhere. We have to start to get used to new urban design."

Comments

[D1&OnlyMichaelStevenWizardWisniewskiD1st]

Why does the province get to tell the municipality how PRIVATE CITIZENS use their own land?

Before Leanne Piper jumps in and implies I'm an anarchist, I'm asking rhetorically.

My point is just we don't respect private land ownership in this country, period.