Balancing provincial growth targets with small-town character
Asked by Anonymous · a month ago
Many people choose to live here because they want small town character and little or no growth at all. At the same time, the province is requiring municipalities to accommodate significant growth and new housing. How do you plan to balance those competing pressures — meeting provincial growth targets while still preserving the character and quality of life that residents value?
Peter Barbati's answer
The no-growth scenario is unlikely, due to Provincial mandates and the need to expand the tax base to offer relief to existing tax payers, while also allowing for growth for area business and service providers. It is a tricky balance; growing and still maintaining the character of a smaller town. The downtown will stay much the same as the buildings are historical and architectural controls can be put in place for homes and storefronts (to a degree). I have visited other communities where franchise operations are housed in buildings which blend with the area architecture (parts of North Carolina, Niagara region, etc.). This is not new. One of the best ways to maintain the character of a smaller community is to have walking trails and alternative passages to parts of town, lessening the need for vehicles.
The growth targets can become overpowering, but by placing strict architectural guidelines in place, even the builders of entry level homes can build homes which fit the cultural environment.
