tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post8594910820880472496..comments2023-08-07T08:17:35.505-04:00Comments on ...Scale Down, Windsor: Tonight, Watch Council make a Smart ChoiceChris Holthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05886070811273422375noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-82409423236787702762008-02-20T10:13:00.000-05:002008-02-20T10:13:00.000-05:00Chris -Well said. Dealing with the realities befo...Chris -<BR/><BR/>Well said. Dealing with the realities before us is an important step. <BR/><BR/>Accepting what we cannot change, making it better and then changing the things we can (long term planning etc.).<BR/><BR/>Run for council - :) You'll have my vote.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-141411162461397392008-02-19T20:57:00.000-05:002008-02-19T20:57:00.000-05:00All of you are bringing up some excellent thoughts...All of you are bringing up some excellent thoughts that just so happen to be the focus of an up-and-coming blog series. <BR/><BR/>As a society, we've invested billions into an unsustainable land use form that most know will be defunct in the not-so-distant future. Do we just flush it down the toilet, or do we attemp to retrofit it to meet the needs of our future pedestrian-focused, fossil-fuel-less society? <BR/><BR/>There must be ways to salvage some of these developments that sub-urbia has brought us. Multi-unit residential developments in strip malls? Sub-urban mixed-use infill development? Tearing down some raised-ranch McMansions to build a new town centre that's actually within walking distance of someone's house? Retrofit some fixed-rail public transit when the densities are built up to the point of supporting it?<BR/><BR/>There must be a way, because as much as I treasure my tight-knit walkable community and want to invest the needed $$$ to protect it, I will not support the indiscriminate rejection of those billions of dollars of infrastructure already bought and (sort of) paid for. There must be a way to make it manageable.Chris Holthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05886070811273422375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-7448426677177897152008-02-19T20:28:00.000-05:002008-02-19T20:28:00.000-05:00RVs park at Walmart because there is a longstandin...RVs park at Walmart because there is a longstanding relationship with the RV community allowing them to boondock overnight there for free.<BR/><BR/>RV'ers will get kicked out of just about anywhere else they try to stay for free overnight.<BR/><BR/>The "code" is that you do your restocking there in the a.m. then move along (ie. don't overstay your welcome).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-6262006295158079672008-02-19T19:56:00.000-05:002008-02-19T19:56:00.000-05:00If you lived across the street or parking lot from...If you lived across the street or parking lot from Walmart, you'd go there all the time!! That's why RVs park in Walmart's parking lot - because they don't have to drive to get to Walmart!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-24202069175518897632008-02-19T19:51:00.000-05:002008-02-19T19:51:00.000-05:00I always wondered why the suburbs of Toronto spawn...I always wondered why the suburbs of Toronto spawned communities with apartments and shopping centres. No matter where you go in the GTA you see walkers and cyclists. Don Mills Plaza, which is undergoing a huge metamorphis was developed in the late 60's and an entire community grew around it.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-44894916704753343132008-02-19T19:46:00.000-05:002008-02-19T19:46:00.000-05:00Just got in from TBQ!!! Support D/T businesses.Just got in from TBQ!!! Support D/T businesses.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-83244397371771033482008-02-19T19:45:00.000-05:002008-02-19T19:45:00.000-05:00With regards to zoning, it is commom for developer...With regards to zoning, it is commom for developers to see mixed zoning as bad - reduces property tax... seems to be the norm - who wants to live in a single dwelling next to a 30 story apartment building and a wal-mart across the street...?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-34346761063476687592008-02-19T19:30:00.000-05:002008-02-19T19:30:00.000-05:00Sometimes we don't take advantage of the walkabili...Sometimes we don't take advantage of the walkability that already exists - even if it might be limited. Riverside residents - do you stroll to Schwabs for your meat or do you drive out to Costco? Walkerville, do you hoof it to Kildare House for lunch or do you drive out to Applebees? TBQ for ribs or out Walker road to Swiss Chalet? Market Square for produce or do you drive out to the Superstore? We need to support our independent/small businesses that are sticking it out and staying in the core.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-32554146696127962072008-02-19T17:23:00.000-05:002008-02-19T17:23:00.000-05:00You know, I always wondered if you want walkable c...You know, I always wondered if you want walkable communities in the suburbs, just mix in apartments or condos into the box store sites so you can just walk across the parking lot to Zehrs or Best buy or Costco or whatever.<BR/><BR/>Or why can't you just attach a condo to a mall? Instead of Sears @ the devonshire mall, just put apartments. Boom, instant walkability and you never have to go outside.<BR/><BR/>The whole idea of zoning seems retarded. What's to prevent me from buying a strip mall and living in it??? lots of parking, no hassles to deal with lawn cutting.<BR/><BR/>ZONING is what says "I know what's best for you - you can only live here" and "I know what's best for you - you can only shop here". Since they're so stupidly far apart, you have to drive there.<BR/><BR/>ZONING is the problem with walkability. Who gets to make up these sim city zoning rules anyways? Some anonymous city clerk? If so, then that's the person you should bribe if you want walkability.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-81990464786679255472008-02-19T14:29:00.000-05:002008-02-19T14:29:00.000-05:00This city has never been friendly to pedestrians. ...This city has never been friendly to pedestrians. (think car town... 3 in every driveway). I love to walk downtown, but with the big planters and the panhandlers stretched across them and the lack of retail shopping- there will be no more walkers than in the past. When there are viable businesses in the centre core again, the walkers will come back out from the shadows.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-1008653232050117542008-02-19T14:11:00.000-05:002008-02-19T14:11:00.000-05:00Dave,You seem to have a lot of passion. You should...Dave,<BR/>You seem to have a lot of passion. You should write for Mark's blog. Intead of this pat the planning department on the butt and say good job.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-45406984418736544472008-02-19T13:40:00.000-05:002008-02-19T13:40:00.000-05:00I forgot to add. Walkable communities in our subu...I forgot to add. Walkable communities in our suburbs. Great idea but we haven't even made walkable cities in the heart of the city let alone the 'burbs. Walk before you run people.<BR/><BR/>Now granted this is nice to see but unless it is implemented it is just another useless scrap of paper like all of the other plans have been.<BR/>My challenge to all parties, the committee, the 'burbs, the county and ESPECIALLY the city...PUT YOUR MONEY WHERE YOUR MOUTH IS! Enough talk, I want action!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3388906077884047940.post-57319867183160699612008-02-19T13:37:00.000-05:002008-02-19T13:37:00.000-05:00Continue to work with the county? Since when has ...Continue to work with the county? Since when has either worked with each other? <BR/>Personally I think our Planning committee is useless..what about that COP? If they are not being heard then they should be screaming louder.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com