WVCA response to email sent by Councillor Hobbs re. withdrawal of support for removing access from Shannon

Dear Councillor Hobbs,

The Board of the Wellington Village Community Association would like to correct the misunderstanding of the tone and content of discussion at our May 17 AGM, as characterized by yourself in your below email.

On the matter of a proposed southern access for the convent property, our members expressed their concern and sympathy for the plight of Shannon residents as well as their opposition to the cut through the Byron Park that was sprung on the community with limited notice.

Our members also expressed their frustration with the process characterized by misrepresentation and misinformation that has led us to this point. Their clear sentiment was that the interests of local residents and the broader community appear to have carried little weight in decision-making by the city.

Above all else, the WVCA Board believes that residents should not be pitted one against another in a case where we all have the best interests of the community in mind. We would much prefer to see attention focused on exploring alternative solutions that are respectful of local residents and of the Community Design Plans that citizens and the City have invested so heavily in developing - including staff time and taxpayer dollars. In fact, a number of options worthy of further consideration were raised at our meeting.

The WVCA Board fully concurs with the decision to remove the issue from the May 24 Planning Committee agenda in order to allow for a clear understanding of the facts, the consideration of alternatives and broader community consultation.

Wellington Village Community Association Board of Directors