11-10-2021, 09:00 PM
(This post was last modified: 11-10-2021, 09:03 PM by danbrotherston.)
(11-10-2021, 07:28 PM)panamaniac Wrote: WRC folks get too worked up over “nimby” stuff, imo. Most times it doesn’t make a whole lot of difference. On occasion, projects are improved by community input. And, yes, sometimes the developers response to nimby advocacy results in an inferior project. It all seems a normal part of the process to me. There’s also nothing to stop those interested from organizing to advocate in favour of development proposals.
I don't think this is remotely borne out by the evidence.
I can think of exactly one development in the past 5 years that was improved by community input (Barra Castle). Every single other project I have seen has been harmed, either by a reduction in units, or an increase in parking, and often both. The list is quite extensive, but off the top of my head Mill St., Belmont St., and Queen St., have all been significantly harmed by NIMBYism in our community.
The "rhetoric" is that Kitchener just allows whatever development, and always caters to developers, but ultimately this isn't really true. It is only true from the perspective that the NIMBY goal is to kill ALL development, they want NOTHING to change EVER. So when a development gets cut down 30% fewer units, they see that as the city giving in to developers.
This is one of those "fake middle ground" things, where the "middle" between a reasonable development, and an extremist NIMBY position is considered "the right choice"...because it's between two positions...but that simply isn't true.
And yes, those who are in favour of developments do organize, but those in "favour" of developments are not those who BENEFIT from more housing. Those who actually benefit are NEVER heard in council. NOBODY speaks for those who cannot find housing. Those same NIMBY assholes decry the lack of affordable housing, then proceed to demand that housing be made less affordable. And they are a significant force in council.