[All] OMB Forces Urban Sprawl on Waterloo Region

Fri Jan 25 13:38:15 EST 2013

I agree with Kevin that getting the public on-side is key.  The information
isn't even out there - let alone the reasons why we need to object!

Please write lots of letters to the local papers.  (I know of 6, perhaps
there are more?  The Record, W Chronicle, Kitchener Post, Cambridge Times,
Cambridge Citizen, Woolwich Observer .....)  How 'bout radio stations,
social media ....?

Can we make this a debate that really engages ppl?

Eleanor
 On Jan 25, 2013 12:43 AM, "Kevin Thomason" <kevinthomason at mac.com> wrote:

>
> Yvonne,
>
> Thank you for the follow up and for seeking out additional information
> from all the right people.
>
> I would agree from reading the decision and trying to interpret all the
> information and opinions that indeed this is just an interim decision in a
> much longer, and complex three phase OMB hearing that will continue for
> some time yet.
>
> The OMB has agreed with the Region on the types of land to be
> included/excluded but then agreed with the developers on the amount of
> urban boundary expansion needed.
>
> There is certainly no decisions, agreement or even attempts to figure out
> just where urban boundaries would/could be expanded to allow for this
> development to occur though loss of any greenspace is always a concern for
> us.
>
> Only time may tell if there actually is need or demand for more urban
> sprawl type housing and who is right when currently most demand is being
> seen in our rapidly expanding core areas where people are seeking condos,
> lofts and town homes compared to the slowing sales of single family
> detached homes in the suburbs.
>
> Unfortunately though the designation of rural lands for development and
> setting the expectation of development often dooms them to development
> regardless of need.
>
> I believe the dangers of this decision are that it is a disappointing
> setback for the Region's attempts at innovation and trying to do things
> better, it will embolden the developers to challenge the Region and area
> municipalities on more things, it again demonstrates the pro-development
> leanings of the OMB and how it takes the power away from local governments
> to make the decisions they feel are best for our local communities, and it
> seems crazy for the OMB to be encouraging sprawl and old fashioned,
> inefficient, destructive greenfield development at a time when so many
> levels of government are trying to implement more efficient and sustainable
> SMART growth initiatives.
>
> The developers are certainly seeing this as a huge win and they feel that
> it positions them very well for the next phase of the battle which will
> determine where and when the urban boundary expansion of between 80 and
> 1,053 hectares will occur.  This is a powerful group with many lawyers and
> large law firms involved.
>
> We do need to remain optimistic.  This is one decision point with many
> more aspects and decisions in a much larger case.  We still have a
> visionary, progressive Regional Official Plan with many other innovative
> elements than just land budgeting that we need to support and keep moving
> forward be it the rapid transit, countryside line, protected countryside,
> ESLs, water issues and dozens of other aspects.
>
> The OMB and higher level governments can be swayed by strong, united
> public pressure.  Just look to the recent mega-quarry decision for proof.
>
> There is a lot that we can do over the coming months to support and
> encourage the Region and area governments to continue with SMART growth
> strategies and innovation.  We should work to develop a plan to express our
> concerns about this decision with all levels of government and ensure that
> everyone is working towards leading solutions.  We need to demonstrate
> strong support for the ROP and articulate the vision of the community that
> we want to see and live in over the coming decades.
>
> We need to ensure that our future is determined by the people of our
> community working towards a better, sustainable community and world-leading
> place to live and not by a bunch of developers using the courts and deep
> pockets to force old style urban sprawl development over our remaining
> green space for their own profit.
>
> Thanks for looking into this Yvonne!  Please everyone continue to share
> any knowledge, learning, and ideas.
>
> Kevin.
>
> ------------------------
>
> On 2013-01-24, at 10:57 PM, Yvonne Fernandes <fonka25 at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>  Hello EVeryone,
> I had a chance to speak with Ken Seiling today and his comments were that
> this process is not yet complete and this is on half of the decision. I am
> not sure if he was trying to save face or not.
> I also email Kevin Eby who has been very  involved in the hearings. His
> comments were:" that this decision
> is only interim decision that only spoke the potential quantum of land
> required, not the location. In its decsion the Board accepted in part the
> Region's position and in part the developers possition and instructed us to
> get back together to work out the dtails as it applies to the calculation."
> Again I am not sure if this is the "approved" response but I want to
> remain a bit optimistic. I agree with Greg that PB is not to be trusted and
> that he is dancing  away at much of this decision and the media coverage
> that is is getting.
> I will keep you posted if I hear more or something different.
> Regards,
>
> **
>
> *             Yvonne Fernandes*
> *"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful,committed people can
> change the world, indeed it's the only thing that ever has." Margaret Mead
> *
> **
> * Follow your dreams of a better world, and keep on trying, even when
> there seems to be little hope, because it is the right thing to do." Robert
> Alan
> *
> **
>
>
>  > From: neiletaylor at sympatico.ca
> > To: gcmichalenko at uwaterloo.ca; kevinthomason at mac.com; all at gren.ca
> > Date: Thu, 24 Jan 2013 21:48:23 -0500
> > Subject: Re: [All] OMB Forces Urban Sprawl on Waterloo Region
> >
> > Greg
> > We agree once again.
> > Nei;
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: All [mailto:all-bounces at gren.ca] On Behalf Of Gregory C.
> Michalenko
> > Sent: January-24-13 6:16 PM
> > To: Kevin Thomason; GREN
> > Subject: Re: [All] OMB Forces Urban Sprawl on Waterloo Region
> >
> > This is truly horrible. We've got to expose these developers and the
> damage
> > thy have caused. Unfortunately I'm away untilFeb. 22.
> >
> > i remember battling Britton when he assisted Sun life in tearing down 20
> > affordable houses to expand their parking lot.There was a rumor
> circulating
> > that Habitat for Humanity had agreed to salvage the torn down houses. I
> met
> > with the national president (the office happens to be in Waterloo)and she
> > said "There is no truth to that. It would simply be unprofessional to
> make
> > such a decision on a hypothetical matter before any official decision had
> > been made and a demoliton permit granted." I was one of the first
> > delegations to speak at the critical Kitchener council meeting. When
> > Britton spoke he blatantly lied, said that Habitat would welcome the
> chance
> > to use the materials and the next delegation was a sincere naive dupe of
> > Habitat enthusiastically thanking Britton for the wonderful contribution
> > this would make to Habitat's good work. I had no chance to challenge B's
> > blatant lie or mention my meeting with the president or tell the poor
> worker
> > that he had been shamefully manipulated.
> >
> > I despise him.
> >
> > - Keep up your good work Kevin. I remember how grateful the Kitchener
> > planners were when you spoke up in favour of the countryside line when it
> > was proposed.
> >
> > = Greg, Huatulco, Mexico
> > ________________________________________
> > From: All [all-bounces at gren.ca] on behalf of Kevin Thomason
> > [kevinthomason at mac.com]
> > Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2013 9:46 AM
> > To: GREN
> > Subject: [All] OMB Forces Urban Sprawl on Waterloo Region
> >
> > Good morning,
> >
> > In a very disturbing ruling the OMB is rejecting the Region of Waterloo's
> > Regional Official Plan (ROP's) attempts to curb urban sprawl and is
> > demanding thousands of acres of greenspace be opened up for future
> > development:
> >
> >
> http://www.therecord.com/news/local/article/874617--provincial-tribunal-sets
> > -back-region-s-efforts-to-curb-urban-sprawl
> >
> > It is a shameful ruling from a tribunal that shouldn't exist. Certain
> local
> > developers are thrilled by the decision and are declaring a huge victory.
> >
> > Twitter is rampant this morning with anger from the public that our
> > progressive region which is leading the charge on intensification and
> better
> > land-use at the bequest of the province is now being forced by the same
> > provincial government to revert to old fashioned urban sprawl.
> >
> > The Region is downplaying this decision and there is a closed door
> meeting
> > of Regional Councillors (in camera) on Tuesday to discuss the
> ramifications.
> > We will likely learn more over the coming days but it could be weeks or
> > months until we learn what greenspace is going to be redesignated and
> > targetted for future development to accommodate this ruling.
> >
> > As most OMB rulings are final and unappeallable (short of an overturn by
> the
> > Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing). I don't think there is much
> we
> > can do here other than to try to support the Region's other efforts on
> > growth management, public transit, water, environmental protection, etc.
> as
> > much as possible and still try to positively create the community we
> want to
> > live in.
> >
> > Kevin.
> >
> > -------------------------------------
> >
> > Kevin Thomason
> >
> > 1115 Cedar Grove Road
> > Waterloo, Ontario Canada N2J 3Z4
> >
> > Phone: (519) 888-0519
> > Mobile Phone: (519) 240-1648
> > Twitter: @kthomason
> > E-mail: kevinthomason at mac.com
> >
> > -----------------------------------------
> >
>
>
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