Growth & Development

To me, smart growth isn't simply a choice between density and sprawl. It's about putting growth where it makes sense and making sure the infrastructure and services are there to support it (and so that everyone gets to share in the benefits of growth).

New Tecumseth is going to grow, so our job on Council is to manage that growth responsibly. That means planning for roads, water and wastewater, parks, recreation, emergency services, schools and traffic alongside new development, not after it. It also means providing a range of housing. We need homes that allow people to age in place, options that are attainable for different incomes and stages of life, and opportunities for our own children to find a home in the community where they grew up.

Density can be part of that, but design matters. Higher-density neighbourhoods need adequate parking, storage and green space so they continue to function and look good as they mature. Where appropriate, rear parking accessed by laneways could help preserve streetscapes while providing space for vehicles and garbage and recycling storage.

I would also like to see new development better reflect the individual character of our three communities rather than creating subdivisions that could be anywhere. That could mean blue tones and references to the pond, natural amphitheatre and railway history in Tottenham; yellows, pollinator-friendly landscapes and nods to Beeton's agricultural and hockey heritage; and earth tones, farming, the Banting Homestead and historic downtown in Alliston.

Smart growth isn't about stopping growth or accepting it at any cost. It's about building complete, attractive communities that work for the people who live in them today and will still work (and look good) decades from now.

Smart growth means being selective in where the growth occurs and taking a reasonable, balanced approach to planning. Alliston is unique insofar as it is partly, residential, agricultural and commercial. We must balance all these interests and not just open it up to urban sprawl. We must learn for our neighbours to the south. It means securing and protecting our green spaces and building neighbourhoods whereby everyone can enjoy and we must be able to provide affordable housing for everyone i.e homeowners and tenants alike. We must do so in a manner consistent with keeping taxes and costs within reasonable limits and not overburden the taxpayer.

Thanks

Tony Phekoo

"Smart growth" essentially means NO uncontrolled sprawl, sprawl with poorly thought out transportation routes, or sprawl which does not balance the need for obtainable housing options, job-creating opportunities (manufacturing, services and professional services), recreational and tourism activities and attractions. Smart growth also balances the need for commercial services and retail frontage, but not endless strip malls which may be difficult to fill. Empty retail corridors are not beneficial. Smart growth also balances types of obtainable housing options, rather than focusing on the creation of a single option.

Smart growth for me is not just about homes. We have to consider the community and environment as a whole. A balance of some density produces economies of scale for some services but is not ideal in every environment. Having proper infrastructure to connect the growth makes for a society where people can choose the open spaces or elevated spaces according to their needs and budgets.

Lifestyle choices change and we should be able to accommodate young workers, small families, empty nesters' and those who need additional care. Each category has different values and needs to balance.

Employment, Schooling , Higher Education, Healthcare and Recreation all form part of what make us NewTecumseth.

Smart growth…

We let builders add a few more units if they include affordable ones. We use Town land we already own. We allow basement apartments and smaller homes. And we use federal and provincial grants , not your property taxes. More housing for our kids and seniors, without costing you more.

Smart growth is not as simple as adding more density or building larger subdivisions. It means responsible, well planned growth that directs new housing and businesses to areas where roads, wastewater systems, schools and emergency services can support them.

Growth is coming and we must plan accordingly. One of the main reasons I decided to run as a candidate for Ward 2, was watching a few of the current councillors voting to allow the use of Strong Mayor Powers to push though changes that otherwise would not have received the majority support. In my view, this side stepped the democratic decision making process of Council on an issue that will shape the future of our community. Somthing that I would not allow to happen again.

Smart growth looks like building communities rather than building the town one subdivision at a time with no over-arching plan for the movement of people and goods. There are some many examples out there on how not to build a city and we need to learn from their mistakes and avoid making the same errors. We need a mix of housing options to accommodate people at all stages of their lives.