Flexibility needed to address affordable housing crisis

Re: Affordable housing on narrow property

approved by St. Catharines council, Nov. 11 Let’s call it what it is: NIMBYISM.

The objections raised to the proposed development at 268 Oakdale Ave. by neighbouring residents, who identified as property owners, are nothing but selfserving.

The concerns range from details not pertinent to somebody not living on the development: puzzlement over bike friendly amenities; a one-way lane nonresidents will never use; to unease about a drainage issue that will actually be resolved; and loss of ’green space’ which has already been zoned for residential land.

The facts are the housing affordability crisis requires flexibility by cities like St. Catharines if it is serious about managing this issue in the face of ongoing expanded GTA growth.

Anthony Ciavarella

St. Catharines