"Cowardice asks the question...is it safe? Expediency asks the question...is it politic? Vanity asks the question...is it popular? But conscience asks the question...is it right? And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular but one must take it because it is right." ~Dr. Martin Luther King

Friday 21 November 2014

What does it take?

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Posted by Anonymous to Our Town and Its Business at 21 November 2014 12:59

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Stephanie just told me that. But my grand-daughter was not on hand at the time.

No matter. there are a couple of other things that need to be said.

The flyer posted by Councillor Mrakas  on Facebook  was not identified. I had heard former Councillor, now MLA Christopher Ballard was  calling for a town hall meeting to oppose
residential  development.

I had seen an e-mail indicating Councillor Abel had referenced  a park.

Now  freshly elected ,full of enthusiasm for how much better things might be done with co-operation,
Councillor Mrakas has  put both ideas forward obligingly ,with neither name mentioned.

It is noted the flyer mentions " passive park" as the second option to infill residential development.

A passive park is one with no activity; no baseball diamonds, no soccer fields, no skate board facility. no all-season tennis  courts ; nothing at all to disturb peace, tranquillity and absolute privacy of the
neighbourhood.

No pesky human activity of any kind.

The golf course stretches from Yonge Street, behind Highland Gate Condominiums, right out to Bathurst Street.

The town is entitled to take 5% of development land for parks .

There could be a trail.

The creek would certainly be conservation.

The province has a policy for high-density infill with the objective of saving  farmland and  preventing urban sprawl.

The Region's  Planning Department is charged with responsibility for making that happen.

The situation has all the elements .

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

"A passive park is one with no activity.

No baseball diamonds, no soccer fields, no skate board facility. no all season tennis courts, ; nothing at all to disturb peace, tranquillity and absolute privacy of the neighbourhood. No pesky human activity of any kind."

That's BS... If the Town is going to buy this - and why would they? - it should be available for everyone.

I honestly do not know what the residents' problems are. They are not going to build a who wack of high rise towers. No one wants to live in Aurora that badly.

Anonymous said...

14:33
High Tor.
Try taking a group for a walk up there.

Anonymous said...

That's hilarious. Passive park eh? God knows the development charges that the Town and Region can collect from that parcel of land...and it's going to be "passive"? I don't think so. The Region is in debt $billions and Aurora looks like it's going down the same path starting with that garage. They need cash. There's nothing passive about that fact.

Anonymous said...

The whole thing has the cart in front of the horse. There are no purchasers lining up to get into a bidding war. We might be looking at years of those homeowners watching the land go back to nature all by itself.

Anonymous said...

It was probably wise to stop the red herring rush to which the former one-term councillor was so partial.
Other than that, there is nothing to be done now.

Anonymous said...

16:26
What's years? Greenway was purchased in 2009. OMB done infrastructure almost complete site plans done. You can view models online, ready for purchase anytime now. Plans and negotiations are being done as we speak for that land in Aurora. Plans haven't been submitted to the Town, money may have not switched hands yet, but they will, in the very near future.

Anonymous said...

Club Link is not a charitable organization. It is a large sophisticated operation that has recently been spending millions to acquire Florida golf courses. The usual practice is to buy the courses and spend a lot of money refurbishing them. Usually the surrounding perimeter or some part of the land is developed with expensive townhouses or other dwellings. Club Link has a need for ongoing cash flow.

You can be sure the corporation understands the potential of the asset. A large swath of prime land in an "educated and affluent" community is not going to be gifted so adjacent homeowners can walk their dogs.

Anonymous said...

18:55 and 16:19 is right. Homes will be going in there. Whether they're towns, semis, singles, condos or affordable units. It will be developed. There is way too much money that can be made by government. Sad, but I've seen this way to many times to know how this will play out.

Anonymous said...

In the meantime, it is a great place to walk your dog or your camel

Anonymous said...

18:25
If there has been no purchase, you are still making mind-bets. Could be right, could be wrong, but still not something to panic about now.

Anonymous said...

Idly wondering how many of the property owners abutting on Highland actually played golf or entertained at the club house to support the business when it has been in decline for years.............

Anonymous said...

With the successful running of City owned golf courses in Toronto and Missisauga (to name a few), I think the Town should buy the golf course and continue to operate it as a golf course.

The Mayor's golf tournament can move there (instead of one outside of Bradford of all places), provide reduced greenfees to Aurora residents and provide employment to local people.

Seems like a good strategy to me.