[All] Good column by Luisa D'Amato on OMB and Urban Sprawl

Sun Jan 27 17:06:08 EST 2013

She gets it, that the "suburban dream" has to die out:

http://www.therecord.com/opinion/columns/article/875797--d-amato-roomy-suburbs-or-compact-cities

Her column provides a segue for letters to the editor, to build public
support.

Eleanor
 On Jan 26, 2013 12:26 AM, "Deb Swidrovich" <deswid at gmail.com> wrote:

> I agree with Emil.  A show of force and some pressure at the provincial
> level is essential (maybe Catherine Fife could be an ally here).
>
> I'm not sure what can be done now that this decision has been made --
> perhaps we should encourage the Region to take this further, and hope they
> can pull something together that will convince a higher court to hear the
> case.
>
> I do think this calls for a group meeting with Regional staff so that we
> clearly understand the implications of this decision, and the next steps.
>
> Deb Swidrovich
>
>
>
> On Fri, Jan 25, 2013 at 4:22 PM, Emil Frind <frind at uwaterloo.ca> wrote:
>
>> **
>> Hi All,
>>
>> I hope that folks understand the potential implications of this decision.
>> Although this is only an interim decision, it opens the foodgate to more
>> urban sprawl. Where would these 1000 ha come from? The worst possible
>> outcome for the Region would be the paving over of the primary Moraine
>> recharge areas just to the west of Wilmot Line. This could compromise the
>> Moraine water source in a major way.
>>
>> At present, the Region has been quite successful in managing our water
>> source, and with continuing water conservation and prudent management, a
>> pipeline might never be needed. But with the primary recharge choked off,
>> our groundwater could decline both in quantity and in quality. This would
>> soon force us into the pipeline option. 25 years ago, when the pipeline
>> first came up, its cost was estimated at 1/2 billion, now you can figure on
>> a multiple of that - probably well over a billion, maybe two. Who would
>> pay? The taxpayer of course. Believe me, compared to the cost of the
>> pipeline, the LRT is peanuts. There is also the quality issue - who would
>> like to drink Lake Erie water?
>>
>> It's ironic that on one hand, the Province encourages intensification by
>> paying for some of the LRT cost, but on the other hand it encourages urban
>> sprawl. Makes no sense. The Places-to-Grow Act was forced down our throats
>> without consideration of the limits of our local natural resources, and
>> without any serious attempt of community consultation (I was asked to
>> comment, but my comments were ignored). This is not democracy, it is
>> dictatorship.
>>
>> I did technical assessments for both Site 41 and the Melancthon
>> megaquarry, both times concluding that the site is not suitable for the
>> purpose intended. But in the end it was not technical arguments, but raw
>> people power that defeated these projects. So it looks like this is the way
>> to go here as well. Make the powers understand that this is not the will of
>> the community. This might be a good time to put some pressure on the
>> candidates for political office. The OMB Act needs an overhaul urgently.
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> Emil Frind.
>>
>>
>> Kevin Thomason 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 <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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