Unity- Imagine

In most cases it is to oppose a new development that either modifies or eliminates their living conditions.

These appearances before Council are not always about entire neighbourhoods. Sometimes, it will be a single property seeking some special allowance and that change may affect the future enjoyment or even the value of surrounding neighbours.

These people have a few things in common. First, they care enough about where they live that they want to fight for fair treatment in these decisions.

The next thing they share is an incredible collection of knowledge, skill, resources and dedication that sometimes even surprises them. This dedication and a passion that fuels their fight is what often makes them powerful. Imagine having an already established, well educated environmental group join in your specific planning fight. Imagine a member of a group that previously won their fight coming together to share their experiences with you?

The other thing that can strengthen that power is sheer numbers. If four voters turn up, sometimes it’s business as usual. If a hundred and four show up and the Media is invited… now they become a force to be reconned with.

The final thing all of these groups have in common is a title usually affixed to them by casual observers or their opponents. That title is a “NIMBY”.

It’s a derogatory phrase to some and a badge to others. To me, it is an absolute marvel in the way being a NIMBY can serve to motivate AND unite. I would wear it as a badge because I care about my backyard. I would however never forget what my backyard was cut from.

Imagine for just a moment if a new Social Group were formed:

Ok… maybe the Wasaga Beach NIMBY Coalition isn’t such a catchy phrase, but bear with me and imagine the power.

There were four public meetings at the most recent Council Meeting. Would each of the four groups benefitted in any way individually if they had the members of all of the other groups review their file?

I recently had one of the very unhappy Facebook haters criticize me for speaking on matters without being an actual planner. lol… Imagine a system where you were NOT allowed to comment without a title. I think the most important thing needed is a strong moral compass and the ability to know right from wrong.

Let’s try a little audience participation in today’s discussion. Without too much dialogue, add a comment below, listing a group or individuals that you know have banded together in the last couple of years to fight for something or support an issue.

How big will the list get? How many people in those individual groups could help other groups excel?

First of all, if you buy a home where the land use at the time your purchase is a green space, a playground or a protected wilderness… my opinion is- that should never be allowed to change. Examples I think of are things like Golf Courses, Parks or even school playgrounds. To allow houses, townhouses, apartment buildings or commercial buildings in the backyards of people who always thought their morning coffee would have the spectacular view provided forever, is just not right.

Next, I think that any infilling of lands that have long been zoned appropriately should be limited to proceed with a build but it should be consistent with the surrounding properties. I have two vacant lots for instance, across from our home. I knew they were zoned R1 when I purchased my home, and I know, one day, the lots may become homes!

Next, I think on larger properties that actually create neighbourhoods, the zoning in those blocks should have a limit in the differential in the density of abutting properties. This would avoid 6 story buildings in the middle of 50 single family homes. More than anything, I think that rigorous environmental studies should be done to ensure a new neighbourhood will not adversely affect existing areas.

Regardless of MY ideas, the strength in creating a group to help each other means that hundreds of similar ideas will suddenly be the discussion of the day.

But, what will it matter if a Council won’t fight? Recently, I have heard Council say things like, we would just lose at a tribunal anyway, or… the Province will just give it to them anyway. So, Councils allow changes that simply do not feel right, in the interest of not spending money on a fight they say they won’t win.

Show up in numbers that tell them that their jobs are on the line and they WILL listen. One of my favourite phrases is:

Would we lose the feel of our community to blocks of townhouses on the beach if hundreds showed up?

Would golf courses go back to being golf courses if 100,000 showed up at Queens Park?

Would millions of tax dollars be spent on parties if those who don’t attend the parties showed up to object to their tax increase?

Would our local Council fight these planning/zoning fights if 200 people showed up at the many deciding meetings?

If you know ANYONE who has fought for something alongside others, ask them how it made them feel at the end of the day.

The whole power in numbers thing is most easily measured at election time. There are those who believe the more money a campaign raises, the more probable their win. There are those who know that the larger a campaign team, the more probable their candidate will expect a win.

With our Council being so cozy with some major and minor developers… (Italian Vacations, Political Road Trips, Personal Relationships, taking a shared stage when exciting a crowd to oust an existing Council)

Who knows, the interest may grow and some future Council members might just emerge.

Thoughts?