tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post2945597941591180681..comments2023-08-07T08:17:35.505-04:00Comments on ...Scale Down, Windsor: PAC Watch!Chris Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05886070811273422375noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-8966355905959867252007-09-23T17:23:00.000-04:002007-09-23T17:23:00.000-04:00Chris: You do realize that the reduction in proper...Chris: You do realize that the reduction in property tax has to be passed along to tenants, thereby, making the units more affordable. It could be between $20 to $50 per month. <BR/><BR/>Boardwalk is simply responding to an existing inequity: condo apartment buildings are taxed at a residential property tax rate where as rental apartment buildings are taxed at the higher multi-residential rate. <BR/><BR/>Your comment about "providing for an affordable housing component" is laughable at best. Windsor already has one of the most affordable housing markets in Canada - and that is both rental and owned housing. The rental apartment vacancy rate has been steadily increasing over the past five years, because renters could afford to buy a house.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-31348751249080809522007-09-19T23:53:00.000-04:002007-09-19T23:53:00.000-04:00Just so everyone knows, Councilor Dilkens responde...Just so everyone knows, Councilor Dilkens responded (and is the only one to response so far) so my email. He indicated that he is not with us on the Walmart deal. Admittedly, that is a tough sell -- unless you actually shop at one -- boy their service is terrible.<BR/><BR/>He is undecided on the Coco development -- I guess the submission is 300+ pages and he is still slogging through it.<BR/><BR/>I'm wondering if there is anyone in the city who might be qualified to put together a "Vision Proposal" on what Windsor could be. Public works has the talent, but I don't think any of them could do it as it would be perceived as a conflict of interest.<BR/><BR/>Hmm -- I have an idea -- let me send some emails and see where this goes. If anyone else has any suggestions, let me know. We'll try and co-ordinate this one.Josh Biggleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022003061447580903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-36771884399098150982007-09-19T07:34:00.000-04:002007-09-19T07:34:00.000-04:00This is a letter that was sent to members of PAC i...<B>This is a letter that was sent to members of PAC in opposition to two of the items on their September 20 agenda:</B><BR/><BR/>Members of PAC:<BR/><BR/> I am writing to express my opposition for two proposals that are to be presented for your consideration at your 20 September 2007 meeting.<BR/><BR/><B>Z-013/07</B><BR/><BR/> This item involves the proposed expansion of the Walmart store located at 7100 Tecumseh Road East. Although a case could be made against the business practices of Walmart, its' position as a local economy killer, etc. I opppose the expansion of Walmart because it damage s the infrastructure, both physical and economic, that supports our neighbourhoods and communities. Windsor was built on the foundation of independent retailers focused on good customer service, diverse product offerings and a true attention to detail. If you have frequented a Walmart recently, and I will admit that I use my local Walmart on occasion, you will find a profound absence of the above qualities.<BR/> <BR/> I ask you to oppose the expansion of this Walmart store as the first step in restoring and rebuilding Windsor. Denying the expansion of Walmart, as many communities across Canada have, will show commitment in Windsor to the independent retailer and, I believe, signal a change in the outlook for the retail sector in Windsor. This city is a far cry from the glory days of the 40s, 50s, 60s and even early 70s, but with a vote to deny we can begin to rebuild this city and reinvent ourselves as a progressi ve, vibrant and exciting city that will catch the attention of local, national and international investors.<BR/> <BR/> <BR/><B>Z-063/03</B><BR/> <BR/> This proposal for a mega-mall, backed by Jenny Coco, should be denied immediately. This development is not, in any way, shape or form, a smart development choice for Windsor, Lasalle or any other community in Essex County. Mega malls are devoid of character, strip neighbourhoods of local retailers, and create huge asphalt wastelands. (Reference an article on msn.com at http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20838931/ detailing a study on parking lots and their adverse impacts on urban settings.) Ms. Coco's proposed development will not only draw businesses out of the core of Windsor, but will, over time, draw residents away from our core communities, exacerbating the crisi s of a dwindling tax base that jeopardizes the future of Windsor and all its' residents.<BR/><BR/> I realize that, in the short term, this development may be viewed as a tax bonanza, infusing the area with hundreds of jobs, tax dollars and a new commercial development to crow about. I suggest to each of you that the current situation in Windsor is due, in part, to the short-sighted views of past administrations and a failure to practice smart urban planning. All of the window dressing, nods to environmentalism, etc. in this development do little to address the economic and cultural impacts to the communities that many of us grew up in and/or are now raising our families in. It is time to adopt a long-term view and start taking a stand for the future of Windsor.<BR/> <BR/> If the social and economic impacts are not enough to persuade you to deny this development, vote to deny to prot ect the environment. The grasslands, wetlands and forests between Huron Church Road and Lasalle are among the most fragile in Canada. This development, nearly butting up against these lands, will interrupt this precarious environmental balance. Whether it is the devastation to the lands during construction and "development" or the long-term impact due to increased traffic volumes and the inevitable flood of residential sprawl that will follow, the impact will be profound, devastating and, very likely, irreversable.<BR/> <BR/> In closing, I urge PAC to seek out and adopt a vision of Windsor and recognize your role in protecting our fragile city and forming the city of the future. We must not sacrifice our city to the highest bidder any longer. It is time to stop propogating the image of Windsor as a cheap date and start courting long-term relationships that provide lasting and sustainable fiscal and s ocial benefits. The tide is turning in Windsor; we are ready want a change to the "same old", and are ready for strong leadership to take a stand.Chris Holthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05886070811273422375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-38696877773625246812007-09-19T07:29:00.000-04:002007-09-19T07:29:00.000-04:00Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your p...Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective) I have my daughter's 12th birthday on Thursday. I am going to write, but my job is now A LOT more difficult after reading your letter to PAC, Josh.<BR/><BR/>Good job!<BR/><BR/>If it's OK with you, I am going to post your PAC letter here in the comments section.<BR/><BR/>I still urge others to write in or, better yet, show up in person to show PAC that there's actually people interested in this stuff.<BR/><BR/>This Thursday at 5:00 PM<BR/>Council Chambers - 3rd FloorChris Holthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05886070811273422375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-19188775181174392202007-09-19T00:38:00.000-04:002007-09-19T00:38:00.000-04:00Sorry for the previous post -- the editing was off...Sorry for the previous post -- the editing was off. Let's try that again.<BR/><BR/>Here is the contact information for all of the members of PAC as listed on the city's website.<BR/><BR/>Dave Brister<BR/>dbrister@city.windsor.on.ca<BR/><BR/>Drew Dilkens<BR/>ddilkens@city.windsor.on.ca<BR/><BR/>Percy Hatfield<BR/>phatfield@city.windsor.on.ca<BR/><BR/>Caroline Postma<BR/>cpostma@city.windsor.on.ca<BR/><BR/>Christopher Asmar<BR/>toufic@teksavvy.com<BR/><BR/>Barbara Kersey<BR/>bkersey@sympatico.ca <BR/><BR/>Gail Growe-Zdyb<BR/>gailgrowe@hotmail.com <BR/><BR/>Ed Sleiman<BR/>eddie@ualocal552.com <BR/><BR/>Merrill Baker<BR/>baker@cogeco.net <BR/><BR/>Cheryl Cross-Leal<BR/>cleal@cogeco.ca <BR/><BR/>Kim Willis-More<BR/>kwillism@uwindsor.caJosh Biggleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022003061447580903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-81374484298456902222007-09-19T00:34:00.000-04:002007-09-19T00:34:00.000-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.Josh Biggleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022003061447580903noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-58508383781584201522007-09-19T00:27:00.000-04:002007-09-19T00:27:00.000-04:00Is anyone available to speak against these? I'm c...Is anyone available to speak against these? I'm committed on Thursday to another event, but I'd hate for this to go forward without objection.Josh Biggleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04022003061447580903noreply@blogger.com