(06-28-2021, 07:09 PM)danbrotherston Wrote: If it doesn't matter what it costs, then it doesn't matter if a tunnel is more expensive. If we think a tunnel is the right choice, then we can require the developer to build a tunnel.
The developer wants money, what we want is a good city, we force the developer to build a good city, in return, they get to make money.
It's not their job to build infrastructure to make a livable city...that is the city/region's job. Developers do things like build homes and businesses. If I buy a small plot of land somewhere and seek to build a house on it, it's not up to me to fork out cash to build a sidewalk or curbs. The developer proposed a bridge as a favour to the residents of this project to get them safer and more direct access to Northfield Station. It's not up to them to start building tunnels and bridges so people can hit up The Beer Store or so it's easier for Albert Street residents to get to Conestoga Mall.
If - as a city/region - they start imposing these sort of restrictions, then you will have far fewer developers willing to work here which is even more detrimental to the city. This is what makes affordable housing so tricky as well. If it matters so much, the city/region could build a tunnel under the expressway right here but they won't because it makes absolutely no sense if you understand the first thing about urban planning. This is largely an industrial and retail part of the city. Yeah more infrastructure is desperately needed, but you can't seriously expect to hold developers hostage by saying well this is a great project, but we need you to improve the surrounding city infrastructure as well if you want approval. They'd laugh at you and think you're out of your mind, then immediately pull out.