Olde Sandwich Towne Interim Control By-Law – To Freeze or Not to Freeze!
By Caroline Postma
I lived in Sandwich for a few years before my husband and I got married and bought our house together. I always remember it as a friendly area but an area with many different styles and a mix of industrial, commercial and residential melted together. I also noticed for many years it was an area in need of attention, economic development and changes to ensure this quaint part of the City's West end survives.
The last term of City Council, which I was a part of decided to study Sandwich in an effort to not only higdhlight one of the City's oldest communities but revitalize the area. We started with a Sandwich Task Force made up of a broad range of people from residents to business owners to educators to landowners. As a result of that work (Olde Sandwich Towne Community Planning Study - OSTCPS) a vision was developed and 29 recommendations came forward aimed at guiding the community toward a stronger future. The OSTCPS is the background document for the Community Improvement Plan (CIP) we are working on right now. In conjunction with the CIP is the heritage report, studying of coarse, heritage significance in pockets of Olde Sandwich Town.
City Council as part of the CIP process decided to freeze development (Interim Control By-Law ICBL) while the study was being completed. The heritage study is also a part of the work being for Sandwich but is not why the ICBL was imposed. I supported the ICBL based on the principle that City Council would see all applications for exemption and base every application on it’s own merit. I never thought a resident who wanted to tear down a dilapidated garage to build a new better garage would be turned down.
City Council as part of the CIP process decided to freeze development (Interim Control By-Law ICBL) while the study was being completed. The heritage study is also a part of the work being for Sandwich but is not why the ICBL was imposed. I supported the ICBL based on the principle that City Council would see all applications for exemption and base every application on it’s own merit. I never thought a resident who wanted to tear down a dilapidated garage to build a new better garage would be turned down.
I believed that the freeze would allow the Sandwich Community Improvement Plan to be completed without compromise. In other words the study for me is a snap shot of the area now and what we want it to be in the future from zoning areas to streetscape to correcting incompatible land uses that we currently experience (i.e. – some areas are zoned commercial or industrial and homes are on those lands now, making it difficult to do home improvement projects like build a garage).
The ICBL allows everything to be frozen as it currently sits and all changes go directly to Council. I really thought all applications would be based on merit, not for fear of setting a precedent or a possible challenge at the OMB. A garage for a lifelong resident should have been approved, however a change from a single family home to a tri-level student rental across the street from single family geared to income residential did not make sense to me until the study was complete. The CIP could provide guidance as to where a tri-level rental unit is better situated from a planning perspective for the future.
I will support the continuation of the ICBL but will also continue to support my residents. If there is an application that comes forward to improve a resident’s property (like a new garage) I will continue to support the applicant. I will continue to look at each and every application individually and make my decisions based on the merit of each application.
Entangled in all of this work being done for the future of Olde Sandwich Towne is the demolition freeze. I will repeat - I have supported demolition exemptions based on merit – a garage that was ready to fall and a home destroyed due to fire.
I have been vocal on my disgust on how certain properties were being kept especially on Indian Road and Edison streets. The homes on these streets were single family liveable houses many (at least on Edison) with numerous improvements inside like new kitchens and flooring. The houses on Edison Street were lived in until a few months after the ICBL was passed. The homes became vacant, were left unlocked, hydro and gas still on and no one in sight maintaining them. I became enraged constantly having to send by-law building and fire out to inspect the homes, only to find out that all of these homes were owned by one company. It was blockbusting at it’s best (or worst if you live there). There has NEVER been a demolition request for the homes on Edison Street and because the same company owns the boarded up homes on Indian Road it would be a bitter pill to swallow.
I feel the residents on Edison Street are being used a pawns against the City so we get so fed up we agree to demolition which in turn opens the door for the homes on Indian Road to be demolished. Why do the houses on Indian Road need to be demolished? One only needs to look at the development (which I voted against) behind the homes on the East side of Indian Road between Wyandotte Street and Mill Street to understand what is happening.
The ICBL is about improving Olde Sandwich Towne’s future while studying our present and past. It is about planning principles, compatible uses and was never designed to make anyone feel punished for living out there. I love the West end, it is where I grew up, where my heart and soul is and I would never do anything to hurt it or it’s residents. I will continue to work with residents through this difficult time, help guide them through the processes and fight for them based on the merits of applications whether it is for demolition or building.
Caroline Postma is a City Councillor for Windsor's Ward 2
23 comments:
Councillor Postma. You wrote: "I will continue to work with residents through this difficult time, help guide them through the processes and fight for them based on the merits of applications whether it is for demolition or building."
Does this mean that some exemptions are currently allowed based on merit of application? Can you or anyone else out there clarify?
How many other Heritage studies were completed and Interim Control By-Laws imposed in the city's other four CIPs (City Centre West, Glengarry Marentette, Little River Acres,Ford Powerhouse)
What is the spending to date on this CIP versus the other 4 at the same stage?
Perhaps Windsor city council could try to recoup the tax dollars spent on the various CIP's from the senior levels of government after property acquisitions in the vicinity of the Ambassador Bridge begin to process.
"I never thought a resident who wanted to tear down a dilapidated garage to build a new better garage would be turned down."
While Councillor Postma's passion is admirable, the demolition control bylaw does allow for "ancilliary" buildings to be torn down - that is to say, buildings in which it is not a habitable living space (i.e. garages, porches, sheds etc.).
It is the combination of the zoning bylaws and the interim control bylaw which prohibits different land uses ie/ a larger garage.
But given statements against a "certain company" in the past and at council, it is clear what the true intent is- nothwithstanding the admirable goals of a CIP.
I would ask the councillor, what about the other community improvement plans? What about the City Centre West CIP, the Glengarry Marentette et al?
Additionally councillor, I'm especially pleased that you are willing to share your views online.
So, perhaps you could explain your opposition to a greenspace by the company - a partnership between the University of Windsor's Green Corridor and the ABC.
From what I can see in the STCIP there are ideas for greenspace, municipal building purposes etc. along the bridge corridor (and under).
Would it not make sense to essentially hold the company to their greenspace since their homes are outside of the Heritage Study and have no significant heritage value?
Your insight into this would be appreciated.
Shall we presume then that Councillor Postma will deny the Maryvale exemption?
While I can appreciate Caroline Postmas's concern for the little guys, it really is quite moot at this juncture. Looking immediately north and across the river or by looking at the Canadian plaza extension to the south of Indian Road one can already see the that the new bridge is going to be built right over Indian Road. It's coming so why deny it? If the City leaders think that the the interim control bi-law is going to save these homes they are only kidding themselves. It's time to get on the band wagon and start negotiating the best deal you can for the people of Sandwich Town and for the citizens of Windsor. Stop wasting time, lift the ICBL and lets catch up to our neighbours across the river.
Councillor, you have stated you never thought this would impact people who wanted to tear down a dilapidated garage but the actions of council HAVE done just that.
I am sure you never did intend to have this type of effect on residents but this is what happens when councillors all go merrily along with each other or the mayor instead of bringing up potential issues. This is why 9-1 votes or 8-2 votes are detrimental to the democracy of a city. The impact of these votes is much more monumental to the average citizen than it is by a Provincial or Federal entity. This is why discourse and hard questions need to be asked. Not because we want to see Windsor fail but because we know there can be alterior motives or just inquisitive questions that may not have been looked at.
I never thought I would be hearing the city talk to the UofW with regards to the urban village. I never thought I would NOW hear them talk to St. Clair College and ignore what was promised to me, in person by our Ward two councillors but this is what has occured.
Can you tell me if my Ward two councillors will support Mr. Halberstat's call for the continuation of what was originally proposed for the Western Super Anchor; An Urban Village?
I would also make a phone call to the Detroit DEGC and ask how they have been so successful in brining people with disposabel incomes to live in the downtown Detroit area. I understand there are different laws between Canada and The USA but we can still learn a thing or two by the DEGC's actions.
Once again I along with many others who read these blogs appreciate you coming here to explain things. I do hope you eventually respond to some questions that have been posted here.
Sweet Caroline...that's a song...
BRAVO... keep up the fight during which Windsorites will see the ABC's tactics clearly... Sandra knows we want a first class tunnel. Mr Wilson got screwed as well as others, collateral damage, It's not your fault.
The DRIC plan combined with a diesel ditch to a new twin isn't going to cut it. It was clearly stated by residents when asked for input that a tunnel is the answer. The bottom line was that the city of Windsor doesn't want to see or hear trucks anymore. Since then every conceivable tactic has been used to dissuade.
It's now time to evaluate and complete the border file in a first class responsible mannor so Sandwch Towne ideas can continue.
keep up the good work... It is being recognized. Communication is key.
mjacq2u
To Indian Road...
I see your input around the blogs all the time. This is a stretch but I am going to assume that you live on Indian Road. As such, I am curious to know what your side of the story is. In your opinion is there something which the general public is not getting or connecting with? We always hear from the bloggers and traditional media but is there something that is not coming through to us? Hoping you can enlighten.
Also...You speak of the "diesel ditch" and the requirement for more tunneling. How could tunneling resolve anything in Olde Sandwich Town? Maybe residents out your way are privy to information which the rest of us are missing.
A solution is possible: Indian Road resident wants to negotiate
For Indian Road resident, Mike Jacques, trust has become an issue for him in the border debate. Whether it is the bridge company, the City of Windsor or the DRIC, he believes that Indian Road resident’s concerns are not being taken seriously.
Fed up with the politics that are being played, the 51 year old intends to take matters into his own hands and negotiate directly with the bridge company.
“There’s 3 sides to this story - there’s the bridge company, there’s the city and then there’s us,” says Jaques.
As a resident of 45 years on Indian Road and coping with respiratory problems which he attributes to diesel pollution, he has watched his property value fall, while at the same time struggle with rising property taxes. Coupled with the recent water rate increase, he wonders if he’ll ever be able to sell his home.
“Who would buy my house when they know another bridge is going up,” he asks. And he is not alone in his feelings. For sale signs dot the west side of Indian Road, but they just aren’t selling.
Jacques biggest concern is the particulate matter that the regular stream of transport trucks emit when they cross the bridge and the impact on residents. And he doesn’t believe the DRIC bridge alone will solve any of the problems. Pointing to the line of trucks on the bridge, he doubts the claims made by the DRIC regarding their new bridge.
“You know what they said at the DRIC? There’ll be no queuing coming back. That’s queuing. You know the DRIC is saying there’s not going to be any queuing anywhere? There it is right there. That’s not going to stop.”
What will stop it, Jacques maintains, is if reverse customs was implemented.
Citing DRIC documents that state the emissions from diesel trucks have an impact up to 250 meters away, he wonders how both the DRIC bridge and the Ambassador Bridge will impact air quality. According to Jacques the pollution will “literally surround us.”
“There are days when the air is so bad around here. I can’t even sit on my front porch anymore and I always used to sit on my front porch.”
Jacques fears the concerns of residents are being “swept under the rug” by all involved. Adding to his frustration is that no level of government appears willing to negotiate with the bridge company. But Jacques believes he has a solution.
“The bridge company should buy this side of the street and the other side of the street, and do what they say they are going to do,” he recommends. He would like to see a park extend from the new bridge to include the west side of Indian Road. What he doesn’t want to see is a parking lot and believes the city could enforce this if they negotiated.
But the Indian Road resident is adamant in stating that “the bridge [Ambassador Bridge enhancement project] is a very good thing. We need it to fix all these problems, to make the trucks go faster, it has to be done - but not at my expense. I want out and I want a regular price for my house and not wait for me to go bankrupt.”
Jacques understands it is a complicated issue, however, the concerns of residents who have called Indian Road home must be addressed - and he intends to take his message to the company since the City of Windsor is not negotiating with them.
Despite his distrust of the company, Jacques believes his suggestion is a viable solution. Since the city won’t negotiate with the company, he will. And he’ll seek the support of his neighbourhood if need be.
“I want to have a discussion with the company. It’s hard because I’m angry, but it has to be done.”
Thanks Chris...
Maybe you can expand a bit more. Currently there are quite a few homes boarded up on the west side of Indian Road as well. Did the Bridge Company purchase these? Did they offer to buy all homes on that side of the street? If so did they offer a fair value? Do they not need to buy these anyway? Whatever you can tell us. Thanks.
Hey Kirby:
I did ask the company and they are willing to negotiate and look at various options including expanding their greenspace - but nothing concrete, other than they are open to suggestions. But the city kind of needs to work with them on this I would imagine.
Skip McMahon even posted on my blog inviting residents to contact him. I haven't followed with the company to see if that has happened.
My question is how can Ms. Postma look at each and every applicant and be effective or efficient? That is a true stretch of a want to be politician.
When they froze development with no thought or process it became a draconian law. The old middle age laws did the same thing. Each person had to go before the king and ask permission.
This "difficult" time was created by the city and no one else.
Oh My, thankyou for the intro Chris, however you as much as anyone knows my attitude and goals have changed a little... First let me answer these questions,,,
"In your opinion is there something which the general public is not getting or connecting with?"
well does the general public know where our last 2 MPP's that we voted in work at? That's right Remo Mancini was or is president of the Canadian Transit Company who is owned by the Ambassador Bridge Company and Susan Whealan, atorney for the Detroit International Bridge Company also owned by the Ambassador Bridge Company... Sandra Pupotello has been working closely with the Ambassador Bridge Company for the last 12 years during which time some houses started to be purchased on Indian Road and it has been downhill ever since. Turns out more than a year ago Skip McMahon stated on a blog I was on that no more houses are needed and the ones that have been purchased were only purchased for one reason, to be torn down at the appropiate time to construct the twin. But then their is this greenspace idea. Which is just a sidetrack. If you look at how many houses have been purchased on the east side of Indian Rd. you will see the Ambassador Bridge Company only owns houses hither and dither, just enough to fit the crane in to hang the twin. This neighborhood has been destroyed in the last 10 years. Now diesel exhaust. along the way in the last 12 years the Canadian Government(Sandra/Dwight) and the Ambassador Bridge Company have found out the acute and chronic effects of diesel exhaust, now proven with the new DRIC air quality assessment. Seems they have done everything they could to hide these facts because their twin bridge idea was set in stone 12 years ogo. They tried to fool us, they tried to fool the mayor and they tried to fool Caroline... 1000 households involved...The Ambassador Bridge Company has made no offers to mitigate. except to pay half for Huron Line. The Twin cannot pass a Canadian Environmental Air Quality assessment.
Below are the findings of An Urban BiNational Air Quality Assessment completed in 2004. this assessment covers the area around both sides of all 3 Ontario Bridges going to the US.(Windsor, Sarnia and the Siuet)
just so you will no how serious this is...
Binational Great Lakes
Urban Regions
(Detroit-Windsor, Port Huron-Sarnia,
and Sault Ste. Maries)
A Report from the
International Air Quality Advisory Board
to the
International Joint Commission
February 2004
ISBN 1-894280-44-X
Findings
i) While the data reviewed were not the most current nor comprehensive, it is clear that, in all three regions, during episodes that occur with some
frequency, particularly in the summer months, smog (ozone and fine particulate) achieves levels that would affect the well being of the entire population and have an immediate, pronounced negative impact on the most sensitive elements of the populations –
youth and the elderly. Similar conditions are evident in the past few years and appear to persist to this day
Hate to break it to you Indianroad - the Greenspace idea has been in the works - as a result of community feedback of those who attend the bridge company's public sessions - for a few years now in conjunction with the University of Windsor and the Green Corridor group.
And you're absolutely right - they have been public with their plans since the early 1990's.
And it was the city that failed to address the access road problems. You consistently speak of mitigation - well the company needs to have the city at the table in order to accomplish that.
But they, in conjunction with community partners, have come up with ideas to mitigate.
The city has proven they can mitigate the impacts of traffic with Greenlink - they just refuse to do so north of EC Row.
You correctly cite that the company will contribute towards improving huron church to the bridge - sounds like a company that is calling out to find a solution.
The company is also on public record about expanding the greenspace to include the east-side of Indian Road - should residents desire that.
What is lacking in all of this, is the city negotiating. Otherwise, if the city continues to ignore the realities, then construction will proceed if approved with no city input.
The company is also on public record about expanding the greenspace to include the east-side of Indian Road - should residents desire that.
Hi, is there a link to the above?
I would like to see, afterall it was my suggestion well over a year ago that at the very least ABC could offer a 300 foot buffer instead of 100 feet green buffer zone. The current bridge is to close as it is. Loud noisy smelly trucks all over the place, makes you ill after awhile. No one wants a twin bridge. Everyone would be happy with a third crossing and plaza far west so the trucks are kept out of site and as far out of the city as possible. And considering the Ambassador Bridge Companies refusal thus far to purchase additional properties that will be impacted and have been impacted greatly for 10 years, and now there is a public record that ABC is willing to expand the Greenspace. Is there a link? I have not heard this. I wouldn't be surprised because we all know the law should make the buffer zone much larger than 300 feet, more like 250 meters, minimum. You know Chris the ABC should just let the ones that want to go, go.
By way of adittional purchase of homes they would be seen in a more positive light. ABC is the one that wants the twin, they should make any offers public, not the city. The city is tired of getting pushed around it appears to me. And are doing whatever it takes to provide Windsor residents with a world class border design instead of a diesel ditch through the city. This is going to become a no brainer.
The company is also on public record about expanding the greenspace to include the east-side of Indian Road - should residents desire that.
It was stated during the press conference held in Sandwich Towne announcing their preliminary findings.
Just an observation, for someone very concerned with the bridge company's plan, I do have to ask, have you participated in any of the community forums, committee meetings or attended any of their public information sessions to express your concerns and suggest mitigation measures?
"By way of adittional purchase of homes they would be seen in a more positive light. ABC is the one that wants the twin, they should make any offers public, not the city."
I"m sure they'd like to, however, there is now an interim control by law and demolition control bylaw. Furthermore, Mary Ann Cuderman has been vehemently opposed to the company purchasing more homes.
Insofaras making the offers "public" for the same reasons the DRIC cannot disclose that information, neither can the company.
Furthermore, the city DID NOT approve the green space. They rejected it. They would not even consider it.
So blame the Ambassador Bridge Company all you want - they have also publicly admitted they could have done things better, the responsibility also lay with the City of Windsor.
Again, I reiterate, failing to negotiate will only result in the city's concerns not being represented.
I agree with Indian Road that the Green/buffer zone should be as wide as possible. As it stands, the "East side of Indian Road only" doesn't quite cut it. The ABC should at least purchase (at fair market value) all homes along the west side of the street as well. As Mr. Schnurr pointed out, the Heritage study area is outside of ABC's planned route although it does come close along the North West side of Indian Road. Another suggestion was made to move any heritage buildings to other parts of Olde Sandwich Town. Perhaps a good place to start would be the property where the biker gang clubhouse was or where the charred carcass of the salt box home sits. There are many locations come to think of it. All of this but there is still another concern. What about bridge security? How much space is required for that and how will it be perceived by the U.S. Feds. How will that get worked into the green space? Boy...Maybe the DRTP was the right solution in the first place.
OK Chris I am a little embarrased because I've never attended a meeting but I always wanted to, if only I had a reason better than what was being represented allready. And the fact is, out of all the meetings you say the ABC has had, I could have responded only one time and it was with a 24 hour notice. ALL the other times when there was a meeting I only found out after the fact. Seems the media focused on the wonderful announcements after the meeting more than they did to announce that a meeting would take place. So you see the ABC wasn't interested in connecting residents with supposed problem solvers as much as they were patting themselves on the back...
I live across the street from them and have never received mail, telephone calls or someone knocking on the door with questions, information, or anything, it has always been a secret, whilst we watch the neighborhood rot for 10 years...
slap... lets have some reality here... looks like bugsy I mean Matty has the American Side all tied up in a neat package. All the highways are now being directed to the American side of the Ambassador Bridge. This means Canada bound trucks will never stop. Canada bound Drivers will find it driver friendly to end up at the American side of the bridge. Hence, the constant queing above my head, even as I write this.
On the Canadian side, for all the US Bound trucks only a new access route and plaza and crossing will solve our woes. even if it is not underground it will still help tremendously keeping it far west and out of site.
Now if you build another twin and have US Bound trucks funnelling their toxic waste down Huron Line you just DOUBLED our problem with incomming and outgoin diesel trucks.
This next statement was taken directly from the DRIC Canadian Environmental Air Quality Assessment, completed August 2007 and was the most indepth Air Quality Assessment I ever saw.
So look what it says will happen within 250 meters of the property line of the crossing, plaza and access roads, the plaza being the worst...
1.2 Area of Investigation
Since air quality does not respect local boundaries, a relatively broad area was
included in the Air Quality Assessment. This comprised an approximate 10 km
x 10 km area in West Windsor, from just south of the present Highway 401
terminus at Highway 3, 10 km north and 10 km west to the Detroit River. This is approximately the area depicted in Figure 1.1 that was presented earlier. Potential air quality effects from roadways decrease with increasing distance
from the roadway. Therefore the greatest effects will occur immediately adjacent to the roadway. For assessment of the potential affects on air quality of the Access Road Alternatives and Crossing Alternatives, an area located within 250 m on either side of the Right of Way (ROW) of each proposed Alternative was studied. Similar to the connecting route alternatives, the Plaza Alternatives were assessed within 250 m of the proposed facility property lines.
5.2.2 NOX Concentrations
All of the plaza alternatives have a significant impact on the air quality in the immediate vicinity of the property boundaries. The maximum predicted 1-hour NOX concentrations at 50 m away from the property boundary increase by as much as a factor of 6X in 2015, 9X in 2025 and almost 11X in 2035, in
comparison to the No Build concentrations for all four plaza options. The increases in concentration are significant at distances up to 250 m from the
property boundary, for all Plaza Alternatives, and all horizon years.
If you don't understand what it says....
It says that in the year 2035 that the Nitrogen Oxides caused by diesel exhaust which is very harmful to humans and the ozone... will be 11 times greater than the government allows and says is harmful, within 250 meters of the row...(the row being the edge of the bridge or plaza property line.)
AND the MAYOR knows all this, and so does the DRIC,(don't forget the DRIC is the American and Canadian governments banded together) so the DRIC designed a road and a plaza and a crossing that will barely skate past the Air Quality Assessment. The Mayor and all the residents of Windsor wanted better. Hence gridlock Sam and Greenlink... Greenlink will take all US bound diesel trucks OFF HURON LINE and EC Row with a new driver friendly route to a new plaza and crossing. So now you can see why bugsy will lie cheat and steel to capture the US bound trucks in his web of Huron Line and EC Row.
you can make your own decisions, I will continue to voice my opinion until WE, and that includes you, get a FIRST CLASS, World Class, number 1 tunneled access road, plaza and crossing that will not kill us and we can be proud of.
As soon as the DRIC announces a huge Greenlink adoption, bugsy's buisness case will change and than we can get to Sandra and Dwight and questions about integrity, that have allready surfaced at city council. I am very dissappointed in them two... ministers... Once they realized what the residents wanted it was THEIR JOB TO PROCURE IT in our interests as best they could. It's obvious they havent used all or enough of their power to help us...
I always said... In the end your true colors will be revealed...
We must adopt greenlink so the jobs can start. THIS WILL BE PART OF OUR DIVERSIFICATION INTO A WORLD CLASS BORDER CROSSING CITY. there will be spinoffs.
Greenlink will take longer and provide more jobs longer than the gateway project... It will buy time for Windsor to diversify further... We must start digging very soon.
ps... A new train tunnel with high speed rail and infrastructure is vital to the well being of Windsor. This must be done also. It's a wonderful idea.
Hate to break it to you Indianroad - the Greenspace idea has been in the works - as a result of community feedback of those who attend the bridge company's public sessions - for a few years now in conjunction with the University of Windsor and the Green Corridor group.
for years now??? all one has to do is look at the pics above and see how far they got with years of greenspace work.
But they, in conjunction with community partners, have come up with ideas to mitigate.
What community partners? that's me, and I don't know what your talking about. I have never heard of ideas to mitigate from ABC.
The city has proven they can mitigate the impacts of traffic with Greenlink - they just refuse to do so north of EC Row.
Because north of EC Row leads to a twin, and in it's presant at grade construction, that ABC has had a hand in it's engineering can not pass an Environmental Air Quality Assessment.
ps... mitigating the impacts of traffic isn't what it is all about...
It's about removing/minimizing the impacts of trucks on "residents, neighborhoods" and our "environment". Since this can not be accomplished according to Environmental Standards in Canada we will require mitigation.
Again, I reiterate, failing to negotiate will only result in the city's concerns not being represented.
Well, the Ambassador Bridge Company is full well aware of what the city's concerns are.
I think they are, and always have been, trying to manipulate/negotiate with the wrong entity. Perhaps they should have negotiated with the powers that be. the residents... it's our residential concerns and our local environmental concerns that shall be represented. If ABC insists on this 12 year old buisness case, even after consideration of all information, and fails to see that this buisness case has changed... with the times... than maybe someone should change their buisness case for em...
Could there be a class action ion the works here? Residents are not only getting hosed, they're getting hung out to dry. Does ABC care? Does the city care?
With all due respect, you answered the question. You can't pin the blame on the media. For someone as concerned as you are, the Ambassador Bridge company is but two blocks away from you.
The ABC ceased purchasing homes at the request of community activists - namely Mary Ann Cuderman.
You can cite your statistics - and they are important, but the reality is WHAT has the city done?
The company is following legislation and has made every effort, including the 5 public, well advertised environmental assessment consultations as legislated to seek input and feedback.
As I've always stated to you, if you want your voice heard, pick up the phone and schedule a meeting.
Mr. McMahon has been waiting for your call for four months now.
Mark S. makes very valid points.
Insofar as what the city's concerns are - did you happen to catch Councillor Postma's comment regarding the ABC project?
"I have no interest in the bridge company's proposal."
Did you catch the Mayor's response on FOX NEWS? The project doesn't work.
The company had to fight to make a mere 10 minute presentation of the enhancement project - that is all council would permit, despite the fact the procedural bylaw allows for the time to be extended.
Mark Butler of Transport Canada said it perfectly in the Detroit Free Press:
"Our needs and feasibility studies indicate that we will need an additional six lanes of capacity across the Detroit River," said Mark Butler, a spokesman for Transport Canada. "The Ambassador Bridge proposal is simply one to replace their existing span and does not address the need for adequate long-term capacity."
And there you have it - it is a replacement span according to Transport Canada.
So - the reality is complain on a blog or get out there, and demand mitigation, compensation, wider green space.
The EA process is not complete - did you make your submission? It was well advertised both in the Windsor Star, AM800 and on two of the blogs.
As I've said to you, I respect your concerns - you can't argue with them.
What I have a problem is the opportunities are available to you to do something about it, and I respectfully ask, what have you done?
You can't have your voice heard if you don't use it.
Mr. McMahon has been waiting for your call for four months now.
really... Ok Christopher. The last time I linked Mr McMahon I had a response in an hour. Perhaps they have changed their minds.
What I have a problem is the opportunities are available to you to do something about it, and I respectfully ask, what have you done?
I'm not sure what to do so I guess I will compose an offer to sell and send it over there and see what happens. These statemets youv'e made seem on the positive side.
Post a Comment