People deserve to heard on city development issues

The following is a transcript of comments I made opening last night's show:

Good evening. I’m Mark Leger and you’re listening to 'Serf City' on CFMH 107.3 FM.

I’m going to begin tonight’s show with a quick story about a recent trip to city council. No groans, people, I even going to talk about zoning. But bear with me, now, I promise to keep it short and as interesting as it can be.

I went to the city council session on Monday night. When I arrived it was packed with city workers because the ongoing pension debate was back on the agenda.

But before they finished with that issue for the night, council had to deal with some residential zoning issues.

First up was a gentleman from the east side. He lives in a quiet residential neighbourhood and he was worried about a bar someone wanted to open across the street. He made a passionate speech about how this would tarnish the residential character of his neighourhood. He asked the councilors, “Would you want to raise your kids across the street from a nightclub?

The councilors apparently agreed and rejected a zoning amendment that would have allowed a club to set up there.

Next up was a young couple from Sewell Street in uptown. Lee Jamieson and Paula Alfonso were concerned because a small law firm was opening next door. They share a driveway, and the law firm wanted to use to get their parking lot.

Lee and Paula were vehemently opposed to this idea. They didn’t want cars going up and down the driveway all day. They thought it would be dangerous and ruin the residential character of their property.

They gave a long and spirited presentation of their objections. They showed pictures of renovations to the house and extensive work on the property, and spoke at length about how their little uptown oasis would be spoilt by the proposed zoning amendment.

Everyone, me included, was getting restless after about an hour.

But it got me thinking about the nature city living; how at the heart of most development issues is the mix and mingling of commercial and residential.

Think of the LNG facility…the pipeline through Rockwood Park. Affected residents may not have gotten their way on those issues, but they certainly got their say.

On a much smaller scale, uptown couple and the family from the east side are grappling with the same fundamental issue – the balancing of commercial and residential needs in the city.

Should a bar be located in a residential neighbourhood? Should a business be able to use a residential driveway?

I don’t think there’s a clear-cut answer to either of these questions. But I do know one thing: the people’s should be heard.
Which brings me to the subject for today…the proposed police/justice development north of Union Street. The public consultations concluded on Saturday at the Trade and Convention Centre. The results of those discussions are due to be released next Thursday.

But we want to continue the debate here tonight.

What do you think should be done with the site north of Union?

Should the older buildings there be demolished to make way for the police state, or should they be preserved?

Is it even the right place for the police station, or should other things be developed there?

If you didn't listen to the show last night or give us a call, feel free to post your thoughts here!

- Mark