Letter re County of Essex 2024 Proposed Official Plan - To County & Town
Ms Rebecca Belanger et al,
If I understand the proposed Official Plan from the County as proposed, it will negatively affect the residents of the Secondary Settlement area of Colchester. I have read this document in detail and note that in a number of areas the plan appears to describe how the County is deeply concerned about numerous issues but then little is documented that suggest enough viable approaches to dealing with these concerns or ensuring that the written guidelines are actually followed by the Towns, in particular, the Town of Essex.
For example, The Town of Essex would appear to be ignoring any level of consideration for section 8.A.1.2 etc. of the County Plan for developments within a flood area. If the Town of Essex is even entertaining the thought about these projects then, they feel that the County Plan has no influence or control whatsoever. It appears that the Town of Essex has taken the position that they do NOT have to adhere to the County of Essex Plan. Why are these developments even allowed to be considered much less become a fait accompli? How much pain and cost do the residents in these areas have to absorb after every flood? I can't imagine that flood insurance will be available to the new homeowners in these lakeside areas, will we tell them this fact in advance?
Furthermore, the County has developed strict guidelines for developments within Secondary Development areas, yet more homes are being considered for the Colchester area than the Towns of Essex and Harrow COMBINED. What has become of the goal of focussing development upon Primary Development areas and with small developments and infill being left for Secondary. Is Essex immune to the requirements of the County Plan?
The whole Section 10 plan for Environmentally Sustainable Communities is weak and somewhat pointless given the focus of Towns like Essex indicating that they'll develop communities as physically far from the jobs and higher education sources as possible. In the Town of Essex for example, the 2 Primary areas are physically closer by many kilometers to most jobs and the University and College in Windsor yet where is most of the development being planned....in Colchester! This is a location many more kilometers away, requiring longer trips, using much more fuel and the production of much more greenhouse gas. The developers don't care, should the Town, should the County?
Agritourism and Tourism in general are again being focused upon despite the fact that the wineries, motel, Glamping facility and restaurants are indicating that their businesses are doing well. Do we really need to keep adding to the crowded beaches, the parking problems and the full restaurants despite the evidence to the contrary? The addition of more tourists also increases traffic as well as pollution. There are numerous towns and locations who are regretting the fact that they now have a tourism overload and have regrets about pushing so hard to expand their attraction. Which clauses in the County Plan detail how serious consideration is being given to the needs of existing residents?
The items above need serious and immediate attention. We all understand how Bill 23 and the Province are pushing for more new homes and the goal is to reduce the ‘red tape’ required to get homes built faster but I feel the only reason why any developer is considering Colchester is that the land is cheap relative to LaSalle & Tecumseh, the logical place for the developments planned for Colchester. The County needs to stick to its rules and regulations which clearly intend that Primary Areas are to remain the focus of growth and secondary areas are for infill and minor developments only. Step up the plate County, do your job and enforce the rules.
Sincerely,