I attended this past week's Scarborough Community Council meeting. Most significant for Ward 40 residents was the afternoon deliberation and vote on the controversial condominium development proposed for the parking lot of Bridlewood Mall.
The series of large buildings has been met with criticism from the community, including myself, who questions whether the Warden-Finch area has the infrastructure in place to effectively support the additional units. Several deputations were made by community members giving testimony to difficulty with city planners near the end of the consultation process, as well as studies highlighting the gaps in services that already exist; that Toronto Hydro currently lacks enough transmission lines for the project; and that developments of this magnitude are more appropriately built around subway corridors. Most compellingly, one woman spoke of Finch Avenue being the busiest bus route in Canada, and of how much difficulty she has getting to and from work everyday - frequently having to wait for 3-4 full buses to pass her before she is able to board. A city that works, is a city that moves. As north Scarborough residents have to wait this long to get to work as it is, the next council should be planning, prior to approving new developments, of how to upgrade transit capacity so that service levels are not compromised as new homes are created.
That the Council voted unanimously to approve the development was not surprising. What was, however, is how poorly the merits of many arguments made by community members were even acknowledged. Councillors will vote as they will, but they need to remember that they serve us, and when a constituent brings forth a legitimate and well-reasoned argument on an important issue - that constituent deserves nothing less than the respect to have their concern openly acknowledge and (if possible) addressed.
-Bryan
For the InsideToronto/Scarborough Mirror article on the issue, please visit the followign url:
http://www.insidetoronto.com/news/local/article/863349--bridlewood-condo-plan-supported-by-councillors
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