Editor:
I am writing to reply to Tom McCann’s letter to the Editor in September 20, 2011 edition of the Chronicle and his discussion regarding my support (town council) of business development in residential areas.
This is both an Official Community Plan (OCP) and sustainability discussion. Reflecting back to the town’s Visioning process, where the community was invited to spend several weekends etc. discussing the future look and feel of our wonderful community and how it would look like.
The outcome of that collaborative process formed what is now the town’s Visioning Document. As councillors, we look to that document when we are making decisions that reflect on both the current and future look of our community.
The conversation for a family friendly community, with bike lanes, connecting pathways and parks came through loud and clear.
We want a safe community for all people, whether young, senior or in-between. By creating a conversation for small commercial areas in future developments, developers are able to work with the planning department on where such a venture would best be suited.
This will give areas an opportunity to put, say a small corner store/hairdresser/coffee shop in an area that would not detract from the development, but would give people an opportunity to feel safe in walking to a store.
Such a venture could possibly be closest to the highest density aka townhouses etc in the neighbourhood.
Having small stores and coffeeshops, etc., would help to give a child the honour and responsibility to help Mom/Dad out and get a litre of milk in a safe environment; to allow all ages a place to gather/hear stories/know their neighbours; to create small communities within the larger realm.
We are working to lessen greenhouse gases, ride bikes, walk, get healthy. I believe that creating small ‘nodules’ of commercial in future developments is a conversation for sustainable growth in our lovely community. A win/win for us all.
Jillian Dashwood
Ladysmith