A comment seems intent on classifying the reference to failed real estate deals as "rumours"
"Have you tried to verify the rumor" he asked.
In the first place ... it is no rumour......it's a fact.
The first sale was finalized because the vendor agreed to take back two mortgages
The second failed because the lending institution withdrew commitment to finance.
These are only two I know about. There may have been others.
We need only look to Item 4 on the agenda of to-night's meeting to find further substance to the fact.
In the Conclusion paragraph of the planning report it states:
Staff are seeking Council endorsement of the plan at this time to allow staff to
begin applying the recommendations to private sector developments .
For "recommendations" read restrictions.
Financial implications of the recommendations are $2,750,000 taxation over a period of three years. That's $917,000,each year , give or take a dollar
The cost cannot be charged to development. It's a new tax.
As I see it, the Promenade Plan and its restrictions on private property puts a cloud on titles of private properties.
Noted recently, the value of land is according to its highest and best use.
Lending institutions have a particular interest in value.
Restrictions on use undoubtedly has a chilling impact.
If decisions to deny financing because a property lies within the Promenade Plan I'd say, the restrictions and the planners plans have had an impact not heretofore contemplated.
The Promenade Plan . projected as a means to re-vitalize the downtown core, was piloted through at the end of the last term.
Councillor Ballard chaired the committee ,though he was not a Councillor.
Now the final strokes are added .Millions of dollars of public funds and planning restrictions to force it into being.
The clock will turn back a hundred years and the streets will fill with pedestrians.
Then all that's left to fulfill the dream is get rid of the motors and bring back the
horse and buggy.
The Barber Shop Quartet will no doubt be in perfect harmony for to-night's debate.
Tuesday 4 February 2014
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29 comments:
And they think you're the one who still writes on papyrus ! !
Let me quote from page 15 of the Promenade Study:
"Planned public investment in the Promenade streets cape improvement is expected to bolster investor attraction and redevelopment within the CIPA. The 2013 Promenade Streetscape Implementation Plan represents ongoing municipal commitment to investing in the revitalization of the Promenade."
There are two accompanying pictures on page 15 showing a designer sidewalk about 5' wide with expensive boxed planting for a 1-5 Year Vision; the second shows a side walk, once again designer, only this time it must be 15-18' - Since the buildings haven't moved, the added sidewalk space must have come at the sacrifice of roadway, namely Yonge St. This street is already a traffic nightmare with four lane, what will it be like with two?
Meanwhile in Toronto, The Bay has sold its main downtown store at Queen and Yonge to Cadillac Fairview for $650,000,000 and will lease it back. It will use it for its newest purchases from the U.S. Saks and Nordstroms.
The noses of the shop and boutique owners on Bloor Street's vaunted "Mink Mile" are considerably out of joint. These are the ne plus ultra for the One Percent. They had expected The Bay to use its Bloor Street store instead of schlepping all the way down to Queen Street.
But the story make not be over as the Eaton Centre is expecting a significant makeover which will tie in nicely with its southern neighbour.
The point of all this being is that the city of Toronto is not going to be spending millions on designer sidewalks. Rather it will be taking in increased property taxes as a result of private enterprise doing what it does best, invest, provide a better shopping experience for its customers and increase profits.
Aurora needs a Nordstrums on Yonge Street/
This is all getting to be pretty messy. It seems to stem from an inability of councillors to find out exactly what is going on in their own town. They are being kept out of the loop and have to rely on their own sources. It would be nice if it were possible to simply call up a staff member without being accused of micro-managing.
Where is the letter Mayor Dawe promised ages ago to explain how he would help councillors concerned about a staff member ?
There is another sale that almost went sideways due to The Promenade.The bank even put it in writing.It is another building in the core.
Looks like you will have a heavy night shift. Cat Naps are in order SVP
Councillor Ballard is twitterbugging about the town going into bankruptcy. Isn't he the dude who moved for a platinum standard for the proposed roof ?
If what you say is correct so that staff begin applying recommendations to private sector developments, I can interpret that as a dictatorial act with no option on the part of the private sector to appeal.
This could be said to smack of socialism or communism, take your choice.
Are the nut bars really in charge here in Aurora?
13:54
Fortunately the Municipal Act and the OMB continue to exist, so the Aurora Schemers Association can only do so much damage before it can be halted.
Actually, the query was a general one. Considering how much hearsay must come your way, I wondered if you attempted to substantiate all the "information" that is shared with you before sharing it with us.
How about approaching The Walt Disney Company to see if there might be interest in establishing an Aurora-Disney Heritage Theme Park?
15:27
I sincerely hope you are wrong. We have learned that the law can be a good thing or bad. It is always expensive.
Mr Albino
;
" No, we have not done anything to determine sustainability "
Really ???
Tonight is going to be very long for Council. But I have been taking careful notes because it is clear electioneering has moved to the forefront. I had hoped not to be making decisions this early but......
Hillary Heritage Park
This evening's two delegations and the question-answer periods that followed have left me with a profound sense of disillusion at the ability of the present council to represent my best interests.
15:27 – Don’t be fooled…The schemers have already looked into using the OMB for their “project”. I’m sure a municipal lawyer is on their payroll. All developers do. The OMB was formed so that the Municipal governments can wipe their hands clean to their residents of all controversial development. Don’t be fooled into thinking Town’s don’t want development. Development=revenue. York Region has literally mortgaged future development charges so that they can get out of their $2.2 Billion debt. No development means York Region is on the hook for that money along with all the interest.
There were some very interesting verbal gymnastics but it is quite clear what direction council has chosen.
The majority really believe that guff about needing to grab this great opportunity. Or it will pass them by - Not.
I don't remember voting for the CAO.
I think it most considerate of them to give us an early heads-up on who is going to have to leave the Council table. When it happened the last time, we looked around, talked to our friends & neighbours & wondered if there could be enough of us to make a difference. When the decent weather returned & people were less concerned with family members of dangerous roads, it turned out that there were sufficient numbers to do the job.
I sure don't want to have to do this again but will conduct my own little feasibility survey.
"The SHIP OF FOOLS is an allegory that has long been a fixture in Western literature and art. The allegory depicts a vessel populated by human inhabitants who are deranged, frivolous or oblivious passengers aboard a ship without a pilot, and seemingly ignorant of their direction."
"Michel Foucault, who wrote MADNESS AND CIVILIZATION, saw in the ship of fools a symbol of the consciousness of sin and evil alive in the medieval mindset and imaginative landscapes of the Renaissance."
We appear to have our own ship of fools present here in Aurora.
Why are we so blessed?
11:10 Please put me down for 5 or 6 councilors in a ward system. Financial accountability will be job one.
11:38
More like a ' ship of tools '
They really think that there won't be a slate that will come from that same group to try and replace them.
OK Council.
So the Heritage Theme park is the best idea since steel-belted radials.
So you're convinced.
Now convince us.
Tell the Heritage crowd to put up some of that private investment they keep talking about and invest in some multi-media presentation material.
One of those slick models on a big table would be nice as well.
Let's see all the facts and figures.
Spend the next six months selling the idea and hold a referendum next election.
If it's such a "slam dunk" for the Town then there shouldn't be any problem getting 50% + 1 voter support.
Oh, and that's 50% + 1 of ELIGIBLE voters so you better get busy because usually only about one-third of us bother to vote.
Good luck!
13:01
This town of ours can't even raise enough money to keep Hillary House from the edge of disaster every year. There simply is no will when time's are so rough. Lots of talk from this latest bunch but no sign of where the vast amount of money will be raised. We have to assume that at some time banks and other possible supporters have been approached. There have been no takers.
11:56
The ward system solves nothing. A meeting was held here to discuss the idea - single digit attendance.
I cannot see restricting Evelyn to a district.
OK I've been thinking about this all day so it probably still needs work.
A petition might get their attention.
Especially if it contained names of those they recognized as earlier supporters. And representing a broad slice of the town,
You would need someone with computer know-how to set it up. [That lets me out.]
It would have to be completely straight with every signature verifiable.
Don't know if that would work but it might be worth a try.
So much of the Yonge Wellington core real estate in Aurora has changed hands in the last few years, it's frightening. All with big development in mind. This Promenade Plan is behind the times already. Surely our council would not let our tax money go to placating the few shop keepers left on Yonge street that were verbal 6-7 years ago when Ballard on his white horse rode into town. And Mr Ballards beautiful King City village has been bought up by the same folks that own most of our core now. Perhaps Mr. Albino and company should be meeting with them! Someone please do your homework before it's too late.
@18:07 re: petition
Full points for the thought but why do we have to do it?
Why shouldn't the people that come up with these fun new ways to fleece the taxpayers have to do it?
I for one am so sick of this "negative option spending" that this town does.
"Well nobody showed up to say 'no' so I guess that's a 'yes'"
Want to build a multi-million dollar theme park?
Then get off your bloody ass and get the residents to buy in.
Get some proof that anyone besides a special interest group actually wants the damn thing.
Cllr Ballard is now claiming farming roots - not his but those of his friends.
- this is our council but would you buy a used car from any of those sitting at the table ?
20:15
I saw that comment. it might grab the attention. If you think any of the affected councillors bother to read a lowly blog, you are sadly mistaken.
A petition in favour of the Heritage Park?
Where do I sign?!
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