Dave Bedini

As part of the election process, we as candidates are asked to respond to many questionnaires prepared by various community and business groups. The most recent to arrive was one prepared by Burlington Save Our Waterfront. As I’ve always contended, our waterfront; those public green spaces such as Spencer Smith Park and Beachway Park are indeed safe and will remain that way. The content of that questionnaire however, refers to the development of the Old Lakeshore Rd. district. I applaud the passion of the group and I want to share some content with since you are the voters and you will decide who will be the leader of Ward 2 on Monday, October 25, 2010.

In question 1, a reference to steps council could take “that respects the existing heritage and village character”. As a lifelong resident of Ward 2, I can tell you that this area has included at various times in my life, three gas stations, two motels, a youth group home, hundreds of variations of business entities including retail, commercial offices and restaurants to name a few. To define the village character may be a challenge in itself.

In the same question “consider strategic purchases of select waterfront lots.” Would the plan be to purchase all the properties? If not, who would determine which ones were more worthy? If those private owners choose not to sell, do we expropriate the land? Do we stop at the waterfront or do we advocate expropriation of some downtown properties to create parkettes as rest stops for downtown walkabouts? Any financial acquisitions would be at market value and run into a multi million dollar expenditure by the taxpayers.

Again in question 1 and looking for a yes or no answer “ seek a hold on development while the entire community considers a better vision. “ As also indicated in the question, council can revisit their previous approval of the zoning changes in January 2011 but understand that this course of action can and most likely will initiate legal proceedings as the zoning has been approved and the related costs of dealing with 12 ownerships of 17 properties will leave us with the potential of millions of taxpayer dollars being spent in legal challenges .I have to wonder if this is the most fiscally responsible course of action council can take to protect the interests of Burlington residents.

Question 2 asked candidates to explain “their vision for developing the Old Lakeshore Road area” in 100 words maximum. This is hard to do in just a few words and is the reason behind this extended response to the questionnaire for my fellow Burlington residents to consider.

Question 3 suggests that the citizens advisory committee on waterfront access and protection “ was formed at the request of Burlington Save Our Waterfront” yet Mayor Jackson seemed to indicate at the recent Burlington Green candidates night that it was at his request and as a result of the Shape Burlington report that the initiative was put into action.

The planning actions taken by the current council were done “with little consultation of Burlington citizens.” I can tell you that council affected an Interim Control Bylaw in 2007 to suspend any redevelopment until a study could be conducted. That year long plus process included private property owners, the planning department, development entities and downtown resident stakeholders contributing input into a vision for the area. A consensus in principal was reached. A policy report was prepared and a public meeting was held. According to some residents who attended that meeting however, no meaningful insight was gained as questions and in fact most of the meeting was dominated by some who seemed determined to impose their own agenda on the proceedings. No doubt a better job of engaging the public could have been done and that must be an integral part of any further discussion moving forward.

So where does Dave Bedini stand on this issue? The vision for development of this parcel of privately owned land has always included provisions for green space, waterfront walking access and views of the lake. I share the same concerns as you about parking and density and believe those issues are critical and must be addressed should development move forward. I encourage the inclusion of meaningful historical buildings or their facades at the request of their private owners as part of the vision. With the advances in the science of building design and urban planning guidelines, I don’t subscribe to the notion that development will automatically be comprised of “monolithic high rises” or a “concrete canyon of high rises”. I’m not a developer and my small business is not connected to any. Far from it, but the potential of a real partnership with those who are willing to work with the input of our citizens can benefit our entire community. Development brings with it both challenges and benefits. As one of the many issues that will face the next council, this one demands a rational, transparent and no nonsense approach in our common goal of achieving responsible and sustainable development.