Today’s Contemplation: Collapse Cometh CXXXVI
Chasing the Growth Chalice Lands Across the Street
So, the pursuit of the infinite growth chalice upon a finite planet has finally moved next door to our family — or should I say across the street — in a way that I am not at all ‘pleased’ with.
I wrote previously about a residential development that was going in on the large parcel of land just to the north of our home (see this). And I have also written several times about the narrative management within my town (see this), fellow town residents views on housing and the pursuit of growth (see this and this), and my home province’s (Ontario, Canada) push to ‘develop’ ecologically-sensitive lands (see this).
I have now become even more ‘incensed’ as it were regarding a shift in what is being proposed directly across the street from our home on the edge of the Oak Ridges Moraine and the nearby Musselman’s Lake (a kettle lake).
The letter below is what I have sent to every member of our town council and speaks for itself — not that I believe it will make a shred of difference to any decision making given past precedents and my almost 50 years of deputations/letters at various government levels on a number of issues:
I wish to share some concerns about the proposed change to the development of Block 13 of the Eco Lake Homes Legacy Project adjacent to Musselman’s Lake that has just been announced by the developer — I attended the on-site announcement this past Saturday.
To say that I am against the proposed development would be an understatement. It is directly across the street from our home and would dramatically alter many aspects of our enjoyment of the area, for as long as we remain here (which, truth be told, may not be much longer if this goes through as it has already initiated a conversation in our household about moving).
First, we would be looking out onto a parking lot and commercial building rather than the greenery we have enjoyed for almost 30 years — and one of the attractions that led us to purchase here and raise our children who have known no other home.
Second, we already have difficulty getting into/out of our driveway with the increased traffic on the very busy Lakeshore/Ninth Line corner. This would make it even worse/less safe for us.
Third, the increased noise. Lots of it, constantly, due to the commercial nature of the development.
These are just the directly personal objections.
From a community and less personal perspective, I have the following objections.
First, this is NOT a ‘Community Hub’. That term is unadulterated spin/marketing — more succinctly: bullshit; just as the descriptor ‘benevolent’ investor is that Eco Lakes uses to describe the funder of this. This is a commercial development with numerous stores, a restaurant, and rental apartments. The only ‘community’ aspect is a donated room/‘hall’ in the basement of the building and a small area of greenery — both about the size of 9–10 of the almost 50 proposed parking spots.
Second, following up on the non-community aspect of this proposed development is the very nature of what constitutes ‘community’ and the enhancement of it. The proposed commercial building is the very opposite of community. The overwhelming majority of thinking on ‘community building’ appears to be the establishment and enrichment of relationships between neighbours based upon a common purpose or interest, as well as learning new skills and connecting with others; not a commercial, for-profit enterprise. These relationships are fundamentally built around such experiences as those found in community gardens not in a basement room.
Third, a commercial development with close to 50 parking spaces is completely and utterly out of sync with the area; especially if we want to encourage a walkable community, rather than more driving and out-of-area traffic. Letting Nature retain this block or establishing a community garden/park would be far better for the community; as would not eliminating the local children’s tobogganing hill. Eco Lakes would be far more magnanimous and responsive to the ‘community’ by donating the land to the residents for such a purpose.
Fourth, after just completing a community meeting about pedestrian safety concerns in the area I find the attracting of even more vehicular traffic counterproductive and exacerbating the problems community members have raised. It makes zero sense. Zero — unless one views this as the for-profit endeavour it most certainly is.
Finally, my hope is that this proposal is not approved, nor is anything similar; regardless of how much spin those that stand to profit from it are able to put on it and make it sound attractive — such as highlighting that 24 new and diverse trees will be planted…somehow making up for the biodiversity loss and dozens if not 100+ trees that will be bulldozed down and replaced by concrete and pavement. Or the declaration that the apartments will be ‘affordable’ or the General Store items a ‘reasonable price’ — not sure how one can make this statement with zero control over what someone else charges (see this: https://www.ecolakehomes.com/current-projects).
If you’ve made it to the end of this contemplation and have got something out of my writing, please consider ordering the trilogy of my ‘fictional’ novel series, Olduvai (PDF files; only $9.99 Canadian), via my website — the ‘profits’ of which help me to keep my internet presence alive and first book available in print (and is available via various online retailers). Encouraging others to read my work is also much appreciated.