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Common sense required

October 1, 2015   ·   0 Comments

Dear editor:
For those who have passed through Tottenham in the recent past the contrast between the expensive homes being built on the outskirts and the look of the downtown core is stark. But the degeneration of the centre of the community has been repeated many times throughout southern Ontario.
In order to obtain approval for a subdivision a developer must submit plans to several levels of government and adhere to certain criteria. The development on the north side of Mill St. was approved to contain a small neighbourhood commercial area which makes sense and more importantly a apartment building to house the increasing seniors population and provide a place for young people who can’t afford the expensive houses.
Apparently the developer has now been approached by a major food chain to provide a grocery outlet. The developer is supposedly applying for a variance to the zoning on this. The article in a local paper suggests that the developer and the local government enter into a debate on the feasibility of this. These are the last two groups that should be involved in such a debate. It would not actually be a debate since the developers priority is to make more money and the governments priority is to get more development charges and taxes.
The first bad thing about this knee jerk proposal is the deletion of the apartment building. The subdivision likely would not have been given approval without it. The second is that it would signal the death knell of the downtown core which has been the commercial centre since incorporation and is already under stress.
I was on the Council that approved both the Rogers building and the Rogers mall in the early 70’s since this was a good way to rejuvenate the area.
Regarding the availability of commercial space in the downtown core, there is potential space available but it will take political will to make it work. And by political will I don’t mean a bunch of politicians but the will of the Community. The library should be put back in the former Town Hall. It has plenty of room, is central, has a historical connection and can be made to accommodate the physically challenged.
This would free up space in the Rogers mall and with some rearrangement could accommodate a large grocery outlet. There are other smaller spaces available on Queen street. And then there is the corner of Queen and Mill streets which could accommodate a large two story structure with underground parking.
As I said previously it will depend on whether the Community wants a thriving downtown and whether it has the political will to achieve it. The decision should not be left in the hands of local government, since their record in saving downtown cores is not good.
A few years ago there was an elder of the community, a lawyer, Gordon Mallion, Q.C. He had a profound statement that he would use in situations like this “What is needed here is a little module of common sense.”
Bob Young, Alliston

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