Justice was Served

Last night and early into this morning supporters and opponents of Bethlehem Project's new 40 unit apartment development on Kalar Rd. in Niagara Falls made their respective cases to the Niagara Falls Council. The planning issue was rezoning the land for an apartment. The real issue was about neighbours wanting to be able to decide who could live next to them.

It was not comfortable to hear arguments, intolerance dressed up as 'planning' reasons for denial. "I don't want my open field view changed. I just built a $400,000 house and don't want that in my neighbourhood. I don't want my children to see drug dealers. Isn't there some place else." NIMBY – Not in my back yard. Normally nice people, apparently good neighbours with each other, when faced with change seem quick to assume the worst and attack a population they do not even know and demand to be spared the contact.

Councillor Ianonni was wonderfully effective when she showed a map of the location of grow houses, almost all were in affluent neighbourhoods, proving that problems feared can be anywhere. Councillor Fisher was in near tears as she described her talented but now permanently ill daughter who would need affordable housing. Real people were described with real needs: sons, daughters, friends, family, all who need help with affordability and support to build their lives.

The rezoning was approved. Justice was served. The Committee of Adjustment's earlier decision to deny the severance is now being appealed to the Ontario Municipal Board - extra cost for no good reason.