Scaledown (mainly Chris) helps set Development charges
Yes, I’m tooting my own horn, but more importantly I’m tooting the horn of Chris Holt and the partial success in making change on the Development Charges Task force.
It is his coat tails that I have ridden on that has allowed us to achieve successful results for Windsorites yet again.
Do we need Change in Windsor, Yes we do, we need Action for a change.
Let me tell you, Going before Council is no simple task and is a great act of volunteerism. You have to reserve your place, write your speech and then sit and wait Monday Night between 2 and 5 hours.
Chris went to Council and made an effective case for adding two members to the Development Charges Task force that were not Developers (akin to putting only foxes in charge of the Hen house)
After advertising those spots, there was no public member that volunteered which is where Chris recruited myself, his fellow scaledowner. After several meetings with the Task force, we made our case (supporting oru planning department) as to why Development charges should be greatly reduced in the Core, especially near BIA’s.
The Committee accepted our recommendations after several in the development industry called for the task force to be delayed and deferred.
Chris wrote a letter to Council.
Because of this, Development charges are being reduced by 75% within 400 meters of and Windsor BIA. Mainstreets now have one more incentive in their arsenal to attract investment and development.
Where we did not succeed is that sprawl or development on the outskirts to have its full charges attributed to it. Still this was an important partial victory.
A special thanks to the Planning Department for sticking to their guns while under constant pressure.
Thats what makes scaledown strong and enduring, the fact that my hubris is backed up by action by myself and my blog partners.
Congratulations Chris, for yet again making Windsor a better place by setting its priorities in line. Thank your for allowing me to participate and attach myself to this victory that we have achieved
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Boast and post. No problem with tooting your own horn.
This is what’s required to show others that changes can actually occur.
Keep up the good work guys.
N
Letting folks know that positive change is possible and showing how it can be done is worth sharing!
This work is much appreciated. Thank you!
Awwww, shucks.
Seriously, Mark doesn’t give himself enough credit. This was a team effort, but thanks for the kudos!
Sounds great guys. Hopefully this encourages more development in the core, and hopefully in high density.
Toot away. Even without a full victory, it might not be a huge deal. I would be very surprised to see significant additional sprawl on the outskirts in the next few years. There’s just too much overhang to compete for buyer dollars, and with residents moving away and/or ageing, our demographic trends will likely favour smaller houses closer to pre-existing amenities, with commercial development following residential needs.