City Councillors have been rubber-stamping high-density development in the misguided belief that it fits “The Official Plan”. A document which is no plan at all but a nice to have list that is not enforced. Promises are made to the taxpayer that infrastructure and environment issues will be dealt with and we will all be happy living and working in the new utopia. As any long time resident of Scarborough can tell you we’ve heard it all before!
Development must constitute good planning. It is vital to the future of our city. Unfortunately in Toronto, over the last few years, we have messed up time and time again. Bridlewood Mall area residents and businesses are now facing another horrific design proposal. One that does not respect nor reinforce the existing physical character of the area we once proudly called L’Amoreaux.
We need different, better planning. Planning and architecture that will be enduring and promote the stability of our neighbourhood. It is time for ‘the people’ to get involved in order to raise the game and get the plan right because we are the ones who will bear the negative impact upon the area that documented proof advises us we will surely be living with or be forced to move away from. Now is surely the time to implement a charrette model of urban planning.
Scarborough is growing rapidly and without sensible development the impact will reverberate for decades to come. It appears our elected officials are focused on short-term (property tax) gains ignoring the long-term pain caused by abysmal planning and unsympathetic design, which creates dysfunctional communities. We ask that you show your commitment to the needs of the citizens of this city and to future generations.
Sincerely,
Patricia Sinclair
2350 Bridletowne Circle