Editor,
I have read the complete website that documents everything that is known on this subject. Because I am sure that the June 16 meeting will not afford every citizen a chance to have their say, I ask for clarity on 4 additional points and I offer my general opinions.
1. Does council honestly believe that this bylaw is sufficient to approve or to cancel a proposed project ? If so, where does this power lie? With Councillors, The Mayor with “Expanded Powers”? Be clear, give a straight up answer. Yes or no.
2. Does council honestly believe that this bylaw will withstand legal and court challenges by project proposers or the Municipality. This is a tricky question that can’t really be tested until a challenge is made. Still, I’d like an opinion on this.
3. How will this bylaw impact schedules of development projects. Will it speed things up by making it more clear to developers what they must provide or will it slow things down by providing more administrative and legal hurdles?
4. Strong Mayoral Powers have been granted to Municipality of Meaford. Mayor Kentner is on record as believing this power to be draconian and will not use it. How then will this bylaw be passed if there is opposition to it? Is a majority vote on council going to get it done? Or will a special referendum be conducted for any proposal that will be covered under this bylaw?
Meaford is struggling to maintain aging bridges, roads, water treatment and other infrastructure while at the same time reducing impact on ratepayers tax bill. It is a losing battle, our municipal taxes increase every year.
We have at least one empty derelict building and dozens of empty lots in the downtown core. We have no hotel or convention center, there are parts of Meaford that have no high speed internet access. It seems to me that there is ample evidence that current development bylaws are discouraging investment in our town?
The benefits to the community of many projects that might be impacted by this bylaw can’t be ignored and should not be burdened by more and more development hurdles.
If a proposed project has no benefit then council should appeal to the Provincial or Federal jurisdictions that do have jurisdiction and live with their judgement.
If this bylaw is passed then do you think that every other community will pass their own variations of this bylaw. What a mess that would be.
In my opinion, this bylaw is unworkable, unenforceable and unnecessary.
David MacDougall, Meaford
