Councillor Postma's motion on "Blockbusting" passed with one minor amendment (adding persons or people I think it was, after corporations) and little or no debate or discussion.
Thankfully the motion has no legal effect, being nothing more than a plea to the Province to enact a law that would do little more than stifle development through yet more layers of red tape and bureaucracy.
While I'm sure the average resident isn't paying much attention to this issue, the average developer certainly is. The message they're hearing from Windsor certainly isn't encouraging.
The "squalor through neglect" described in Councillor Postma's motion is a direct result of Council's interim demolition by-law covering the West End.
Far from being a battle between just the City and Bridge company, this by-law is affecting other developers.
Councillor Alan Halberstadt blogged about one such developer - Innocent Bystander.
Matt Buschante has dropped by Alan's blog to provide an update:
Since my orginal presentation to council I have experienced major vandalism which I made very clear to council I was in fear of. I will be forwarding pictures along with police report in hopes of council to reconsider and create a motion to bring back to council. We are not bridge corp., we are a corporation with a diversified student development sector that is committed to supply students with much needed development. At the same time, I would like to think that we are cleaning up the area and maintaining or increasing not only surrounding home value but a sense of security that the area needs desperately. We have 2-3yr plan that would address major "hazardous properties", you would think council would be thanking us for taking the risk and money to do something that they won't. Allowing this to happen, with all hidden politics aside, would be common sense and is seen that way to vast majority of surrounding residents and students. Whats the problem?Mr. Buschante's development would rid Windsor of a dilapidated house, increase density and create further student housing. The location is near a bus route, within walking and biking distance from the University. The developer has even indicated a willingness to work with the City in designing buildings that reflect Old Sandwich architecture.
To this day, only response that I have been getting is from Mr. Halberstadt whom shows genuine concern and direction on the matter. Councilor Dilkens did support at council as well, 2/9 is a start!
Pictures and further thoughts to follow!
For a city that says they want to encourage urban redevelopment, they're certainly going about things in a funny way.
