Bethlehem Wins at the OMB

On June 18th Bethlehem Projects had a date with the Ontario Municipal Board for a ruling on their appeal of the Committee of Adjustment decision in January to deny the severance of land on Kalar Rd. Bethlehem wants to build 40 affordable housing apartments.

Since City Council has in the interim approved the rezoning of the property, city staff appeared to support the application and the hearing was over in 45 minutes with a favourable response.

What is sad in this entire process is the waste of time and considerable money in overturning a decision that was clearly influenced by bigotry and fear that has no place in the decision making responsibilities of municipal government. It is time for these motives to be viewed as morally unacceptable reasons to oppose a development. No one has the right to say who may or may not be their neighbour.

Bethlehem Projects enjoys a solid level of support in the community and is coming of a very positive success of a similar project in St. Catharines on James Street. JustShelter is proud to be their development consultant (for our 3rd project with BP over a 20 year period!) and looks forward to a successful completion in October of 2009.

Bethlehem to the OMB

The appeal period has passed on the rezoning of the land for Bethlehem Projects new development on Kalar Rd. in Niagara Falls. Those opposed had opportunity to appeal the council decision to rezone the property for apartment use.

An Ontario Muncipal Board hearing is still required as the Niagara Falls Committee of Adjustment denied consent to create the new parcel. While never a sure thing, our planning consultants advice that there is an excellent chance of a favourable ruling. The hearing may come as early as June.

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.

Bethlehem Project on Kalar Rd.

Bethlehem Projects is at Niagara Falls City Council on March 17th for a rezoning of property on Kalar Rd. Bethlehem wishes to build a 40 unit rental apartment building to server persons with low to moderate income – like many who work in the tourist and service sector so crucial to the economy of Niagara Falls.

No new rental apartment has been built in Niagara Falls in 12 years. Compare that to the number of new hotels.

Planning staff are expected to provide a favourable report. However the Committee of Adjustment has previously turned down a request to sever the property. Bethlehem has appealed that decision to the Ontario Municipal Board for a hearing that will take place some time.

It is sad to note the reason for the Committee of Adjustment's decision was based on "Not in My Backyard" objections from neighbours. It is our view that no one has the right to say that another may not live in any area. This is a civil rights issue.