At the main streets public hearing, local residents of 36 st presented their ideas to council on why their portion of 36 St in Killarney should not be redesignated. The results of the multi year marathon mainstreets policy process recommended this street, being just a half block off the main road, be re-designated to the RCG rowhouse category from R2.
As a proponent of the rowhouse as a suitable urban form to add a small amount of compatible density to older grid areas, notably on the corners where the new building can face the street (rather than the slabby flank of a typical duplex), I was perplexed. Once again, the RCG zone is considered the bogeyman of inner city redevelopment. In reality, where I operate my business, the corner rowhouse can comfortably coexist along with the older bungalows and newer infills, and enhance the block end streetscape significantly. The RCG zone is the new zone created to explicitly fit in with existing older development, yet in the opinion of most community groups I have seen opposing these projects, it seems to be lumped in with bottle depots as the least wanted type of development.
Council seemed quite influenced by the crying mother scenario, with all the 'think of the children' and the tears seemingly making a significant impact on policy. When asked what change would be acceptable, the typical response given was 'no change'. It was even suggested that a redesignation from R2 (an older variety that is grandfathered in from the 80's) to RC2, the newer category would suffice. This would mean zero practical change would be possible other than what could have been done for the past 30 years or so.
I think in an election year the sitting council has to be extra careful what it votes for, particularly in elections with low voter turnout when the mayoral race isn't contested. In this instance, the tears and parking complaints may override textbook planning principles that were used in creating policy within many other mainstreets communities.
The losers here are the builders that can't find suitable land to conduct business, and future home buyers that don't have $850,000 to spend on a semi detached home. We just observed a nice Killarney semi selling today at $930k. It appears the entry price into this area is going up substantially in 2017. Unfortunately none of those people priced out of Killarney stood before Council to shed tears about how they can't afford a house that meets their family's needs in Killarney (note that this block is footsteps from both elementary schools and the junior high).
I am thinking of the children, particularly those that will not be moving in to the houses I will not be building because community residents don't want anyone else to build anything after their own house was built. This is a classic NIMBY definition.