BWG council apparently unconcerned about density targets

Homes for seniors, students, low-income and starter homes seem low priority
By Meade Helman AWARE News Network September 7 2013
After a summer hiatus that had only one council meeting in two months, council is back at it. These are a few of the highlights.
The evening started with a closed session regarding “a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality or local board;” But there was no action taken by council, regarding whatever the issue was, in the ensuing open session.

SOLOMAR HOMES presented an application to build semi’s on a piece of land that the Official Plan calls for apartment buildings. The town planner, Geoff McKnight, did not support the plan because the town is behind in its density targets for green field development. While the town plan commits to a variety of housing, most of what is being built is single family homes. Even with this site, the town is behind targets for density on green field development. EDITORIAL COMMENT: Council seemed more interested in the developer being able to finish up and sell the units than in following the recommendation of the town’s planner or concern about the lack of housing for people that can’t afford or don’t need a large family home, seniors, seniors, couples starting out, or those in low income bracket.
PARKING NEAR SCHOOLS: After years of complaints and near-misses, council passed a bylaw banning parking around some of the local schools. EDITORIAL COMMENT: With the growth in Bradford the schools are bursting at the seams and not designed to take a high volume of car traffic for parents dropping of their kids. The school board says that those children not assigned to busses should walk.
RIBFEST: With major support from Mayor Doug White, substantial fee reductions for signage and inspections were granted to the organizers of Ribfest. They reduced the licensing fee to $75.00 per vendor for the required permits and licenses;  and waived the Sign by-law variance application fee of $800.00 and varied the Sign By-law to allow an additional banner sign for a period of time not to exceed 60 days. Ribfest is projected to make $60,000 which will be donated to a local charity yet to be determined. Councillor Sandhu brought up concerns of residents of noise and congestion. Mayor White said that the festival was good for the town and the residents would just have to deal with it. EDITORIAL COMMENT: After the resistance of the business community to a new sign bylaw, and elimination of variances, one has to wonder what the reaction to the reduction of fees will be. Our council needs to be a bit more consistent in their policies.
TREES: Councillors Crake and Simpson requested that staff report on the status of the health of trees in Ward 2 and look into the feasibility of providing a watering program. EDITORIAL COMMENT: Maybe we should have a program for the whole town?
WELLS: In accordance with the provisions of section 14(2) of O. Reg. 287/07 of the Clean Water Act (2006), the town will discontinue the use of municipal wells known as the Soda Pop, Bingham, Simcoe, and Doane Wells by September 17, 2018. Staff is to develop supplementary report on keeping the 8th Line well as one of the assets in the system to be presented to council.