Last night at Public Planning meeting, Council once again dealt with the issue of stable neighbourhoods. At the end of last term, in response to concerns raised by residents, Council had asked for a consultant to conduct a peer review study of the three distinct neighbourhoods identified as most under threat (Aurora Heights, Regency Acres and Town Park) and what changes to the zoning bylaw – if any – would be suitable for the purposes of allowing better protection for these neighbourhoods from inappropriate infill housing developments.
The report was presented to Council last night and the consultant was on hand to speak to the report and answer questions. After considerable debate and discussions, including many public comments as well as questions from Council, Council moved a motion that staff develop a zoning bylaw amendment that incorporates recommendation 1 and 2 from the consultant’s report (you may view the report here) and that it be brought forward to Council for review at the March Public Planning meeting. Council also moved that a substantive public outreach program should be undertaken to ensure that all affected landowners have a chance to understand and respond to the proposed changes….This motion passed unanimously.
As I said at the table, I believe that we need to move forward with a solution to this issue; direct staff to create zoning bylaw amendments that will meet the recommendations from the consultants report ; zoning amendments that will enable us to find that balance between allowing for growth and change while protecting our stable neighbourhoods. And I believe this brings us towards that goal!! I promised that we would address the issue of stable neighbourhoods right away and that is what Council is doing…. I am proud that Council stood together to make a decision and to move forward with taking action on this important issue.
