The WVCA shares items of local neighbourhood concern

Good day,

As you may be beginning to notice, the WVCA has begun using our website platform and newsletter tool more actively. It is our intention to share predominantly Wellington Village-based information and updates. You'll see that the information we shared yesterday (on the proposed embassy row in Mechanicsville) and the two items below relate more to neighbouring CAs. We have shared these updates not only to offer support to our community group colleagues, but because we feel it is important for the residents of Wellington Village to be aware of these issues, in part because it could (and likely will) be things we will be dealing with soon too. 

So I trust you won't mind receiving the occasional just-outside-Wellington Village update, when our board feels it is important to share. 

Thank you, and I do hope you'll take a moment and read the important information below.

Dave Allston

President, WVCA

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The WVCA shares some of the concerns raised in a letter we received today. regarding the Westboro Infill Study. The full content of the email can be seen at the link below. It begins:

"This Thursday, February 11, 2021, the City Council’s Planning Committee will make a decision that could radically transform much of Westboro’s residential neighbourhood.   

City staff have finalized their proposals to revise the zoning for the area of Westboro covered by the Interim Control Bylaw (Byron to the north, Dovercourt to the south, Tweedsmuir to the east, and Golden to the west).  And, in his most recent newsletter, Councillor Jeff Leiper has indicated that he will be supporting the proposed bylaw amendments that will enable developers to pursue more intensive infill development in Westboro.

If you have concerns about the impact of the intensified infill development that will be authorized by the new zoning provisions (or if you support the proposals for increased intensification of our neighbourhood) now is the time to speak up."

Full text of the letter HERE

The Planning Committee Agenda can be found at this link: HERE  (The Westboro Infill Study appears as item 4, on page 5).

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The WVCA supports the great efforts of the Westboro Residents Group, an informal network of neighbours, who are fighting a City bylaw amendment that will allow Domicile Developments to build a massively overs-scaled mixed use condo/retail building. 

They wrote to us recently:

"As you may know, we appealed the City's decision before the Local Planning Appeals Tribunal, and we expect to get a decision this Spring or Summer.  Unfortunately, the challenge cost more than twice our initial estimate by the covid -19 pandemic. The pandemic has also made fundraising very difficult. We need to raise $18,000 to pay professional fees resulting from our appeal."

They have shared a letter (click HERE) and a notice (click HERE) which I would encourage you to read, and consider supporting them in their battle. 

The WVCA has a modest budget which does not afford us the ability to contribute on behalf of the association, but we are certainly happy to spread the word for them, as their work is admirable and impressive, and is to be absolutely applauded.