A Tale of Treachery

I said I would tell about the man with the two million dollar investment in a new home in Aurora. But Oh my...it is so convoluted as to be literally almost impossible to tell and even less likely to be believed. It starts off with a parcel of land being processed for development. In the centre of it is a small modest century house. The house is designated heritage. The development process can take fifteen years in Aurora. Cost per house is horrendous. Needless to say, developers will agree to almost anything to get construction started. It's the business they're in. Homes in the new neighborhood are massive.They fill the width of the lot. Three car garages,double doors graced with beautiful leaded lights. Clad in Carved grey stone. And there, forlorn amidst the grandeur, little plain white stucco with bits of gingerbread around a familiar peak of roof over a window. It took several years before that which was always obvious had to be addressed. This house did not belong in this neighborhood A planning amendment allowed it to be re-located. The vacant space was son sold and yet another million dollar mansion constructed. At the rear, a walkout basement. Change of house design and siting meant change of grading. But wait, trees on the lot will not allow for adequate grading and drainage of the lot and all the others around it. Another amendment is required to remove the trees. Once more into the brach and another amendment is processed on advice and under the guidance of town staff. An arborist report and approval of the Director is all that's required. At a cost of $4,000 the report is completed and a staff recommendation of approval is forthcoming. The way is clear for grading completed and product delivered as promised in the offer to sell and purchase the home. Ay weel, ye micht think it. Enter three abutting neighbors undoubtedly with encouragement of some misguided Councillors. They are determined not to to lose what is rightfully theirs; the view of their neighbors trees. Declaring their love and friendship for said neighbor they came as supplicants and begged for the trees to be spared. Apparently no qualms were felt about the shabby little house. The trees were a different story. The only thing less logical was the decision made by council. They refused to grant the amendment that met all requirements of the subdivision agreement. They decided in favor of pandering to abutting homeowners. The decision remains to be ratified on Tuesday. But that didn't stop Councillor Gaertner,showing no semblance of impartiality,from leaving her seat and circling the table, to high five and give a thumbs up to the victors under the nose of the homeowner who got the shaft. You've got the week-end. If they can do it to him they can do it to you. You have a chance to make a difference Tell your Councillors what you think of what they did in your name. We should all be ashamed. It sold