I’ve been writing a series on Brighton’s Land Banking initiative, addressing each aspect of the vision, including the six key values: Continuing that series, let’s talk about the value of adding a mixed-use, “complete community” on the edge of town. Mixed Use Traditional zoning by-laws emphasize a single use for each property. I still rememberContinue reading “A Vibrant, Mixed-Use Community”
Tag Archives: planning
Tightening Belts
Two nights ago was the all-candidates event, and a theme that came up quite strongly was the idea that we should tighten our belts and do whatever we can to avoid tax increases. I am not averse to the idea of keeping tax rates as low as we can; I pay taxes too, and IContinue reading “Tightening Belts”
Traffic Calming and Those New Curbs
One of the issues that got a laugh at the all-candidates meeting last night was one particular feature at the south end of Prince Edward Street, and I’m delighted. In answering a question about economic development in Brighton, several candidates mentioned the Industrial Park, until one candidate added something along the lines of “how willContinue reading “Traffic Calming and Those New Curbs”
An Inclusive, Mixed-Income Community
Who belongs in Brighton? I would love to take it for granted that everyone belongs here. I sometimes tell people that, as far as I’m concerned, you’re from here whether you’ve lived here for five generations or five minutes. It’s by choosing to live here that you become one of us. If only it wereContinue reading “An Inclusive, Mixed-Income Community”
Transformative Change
Last Wednesday evening the municipality hosted a public engagement session regarding our Land Banking Program, and I think it went quite well. We had a few dozen people through, talking to Director Walsh, members of council, and of course the consultants from Urban Strategies Inc., to provide input into the project to shape it accordingContinue reading “Transformative Change”
Small Town Charm
I’ve written before about “small town charm” in various ways, but it’s something I’ve been thinking a lot about as life has slowed down this summer. Spending time downtown, or at the beach, and noticing all of the people who come to visit Brighton, has made me think about what draws them here. And hearingContinue reading “Small Town Charm”
End of Term Evaluation: Vision
In 2022 I ran on three key values: Vision, Communication, and Collaboration. Each of those values had three key goals. I hope to return to council for the 2026-2030 term, so I thought it worthwhile to evaluate how well I did in achieving those goals. Those values and goals have been on the front pageContinue reading “End of Term Evaluation: Vision”
How Do I Make Decisions?
Council provides strategic direction to municipal staff, on behalf of residents, to determine the policies that shape the present and future of our community. Someone asked me this week how I make decisions on behalf of residents, and the answer was longer than they had time for! So I’ll put it here. Context and ProcedureContinue reading “How Do I Make Decisions?”
When You Have a Concern About Development
Development is constantly in the news these days, between governments of all levels looking for ways to speed it up to citizens’ and resident groups expressing opposition to particular developments. Brighton is no different: we’ve had some big development proposals lately, and residents have expressed opposition to some of them. I thought I’d address someContinue reading “When You Have a Concern About Development”
Working with Nature
Days 2 and 3 of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Sustainable Communities Conference are in the books! Tomorrow I’m headed home. If I tried to give you a play-by-play of the past two days we’d be here all night. But there were some common themes that came up over and over again, and it’s worthContinue reading “Working with Nature”