Greenbelt review process needs guidelines

it’s been a couple of weeks, so let’s circle back to the dreaded Greenbelt land release issue and Bill 23.

No doubt, sectors of the public continue to be royally cheesed off that any of the Greenbelt lands were released in the first place. That won’t change. Yes, the Tories will tell you the Libs made many changes to Greenbelt boundaries in the past. True, but hardly the point. The decision to release thousands of acres was bungled in many ways, even if you buy the reasoning behind its motivation - namely to create affordable housing.

Helpful donation

A couple of fundraising events - including a “Guest Bartender” Night - at Grimsby’s Judge & Jester Pub netted $12,000 for McNally House Hospice. On hand for the presentation were: Amanda Black, McNally community engagement manager; Judge and Jester owner Don Paddock, McNally executive director Pamela Blackwood, and “guest bartender” Blair Gillis. Williscraft - Photo

Time to head back to the office?

It is hard to comprehend the level of entitlement some people have who are now simply refusing to go TO their jobs as they did pre-COVID.

If your employer wants you back at the office or place of business, you should be back in that location or you are giving up your job with your absenteeism. It’s that simple.

It is surely understood what a massive benefit it could be to work from home - and it does depend on the circumstances in which you were hired - but whoever signs the cheques calls the shots. That is what happens when you work for someone. Not palatable? That’s how you become an entrepreneur. M.W.

Set aside intents and posturing for a minute and look at the concept of what should be considered. It makes sense to review small, land-locked parcels in the Greenbelt which would never be able to serve the designed intentions of the legislation.

Some could be legit, some not so much.

The two parcels in Grimsby are stellar examples.

The lakeshore property would have been a perfect accessory to complement Grimsby’s boardwalk layout. Yes, that land on Hunter Road would have been better served as parkland, greenspace and desperately needed parking for the Grimsby on The Lake community, but that will not happen now.

If Greenbelt land is to be used, ever, special consideration should be given at every turn. Sweeping edicts covering all affected lands prove to be ineffective and, in fact, damaging.

What the community will end up with there is another in a long line of over-developed, underserviced with parking condo structure. Yippee!

The other parcel, bordered by the rail track, Oakes Road to the east, Kelson Road to the west and Main Street West homes will now be developed by Homes By DeSantis. Gabe DeSantis told me last week he has now acquired the three lots which comprise that space.

That site is a prime example of an area which is not in the proximity of any other viable farmland, is of questionable soil quality and could be a poster “child” for valid reconsideration.

Of course adding on more acreage to the

Greenbelt is of some value, but limited in that maintaining the protected lands in an area where there is major development pressure is what makes the legislation important.

No pain, no gain, sorta thing.

Now, there are similar size parcels which have great sail and would be tragic to see them end up developed. They may even have been left barren for years to add to the owners’ contention their land should come out and be built up. This is where the additional consideration and review should be done if any consideration of further land releases are considered.

This is what I mean when I say each suggested parcel should be reviewed on its own merits and the bar should be set very high as to what gets approved and what is rejected.

Like it or not, the Greenbelt is important. It needs to be there and it needs to have a strong and prioritized hold. If nothing else ever gets released, it would not bother me a bit.

If it does, whichever political party is in power needs to have a consistent and fair-minded approach to reviewing possibilities.

* * * * * *

Had many calls about last week’s Grimsby DIA AGM and the election of a new board of directors. Simply, not worth the ink. Moving on.