Neighbourhood
control
is the only way to
empower communities
“It isn’t just that they’re developing homes for investment rather than to live in; it’s that our communities are not being protected. The human element needs protection” -- Brycon Casey at 2016 rally for housing
We cannot continue to put the city's fate in the hands of developers.
We need community-oriented development that gives control to the residents whose lives are directly affected by what gets knocked down and what gets built.
A neighbourhood must have the right to veto multi-story construction that does not meet its needs and standards.
What do we mean by "community control" ?
"Community control" means the right of neighbourhoods to vote to approve or reject City Council's development proposals. Neighbourhoods must be able to send city planners back to the drawing board whenever their proposals do not meet the neighbourhood's needs and aspirations.
RCCCD proposes a two-pronged approach:
(1) a city-wide plan, and
(2) neighbourhood control over the implementation of such a plan
(1) A democratically-determined city-wide plan
Since all neighbourhoods must share in the provision of green areas, affordable housing, adequate amenities, and access to public services, "community control" needs to happen on the basis of a democratically formulated and voted on plan for the entire city.
This city-wide plan is to establish for each neighbourhood a minimum quota of: rental and subsidized or below-market housing units, park land, recreation and community centres, seniors centres, childcare facilities, libraries, schools, public services such as health care and social support, locally-owned businesses.
(2) Implementing the city-wide plan under neighbourhood control
Neighbourhood residents vote on the specifics of the implementation of the democratically-approved city-wide plan: the type and size of housing, where the green areas and the shops and public services go, etc.
The quotas set by the city-wide plan would be binding on every neighbourhood. Each neighbourhood, for example, would have to make room for a minimum number of affordable housing units. Neighbourhoods may differ, however, on what type of affordable housing will be built. Some may choose low-rise co-op type housing with ample courtyards. Others may prefer multi-storey structures. Some may decide to create new community centres and public services to serve the new residents. Others may decide to expand the existing ones. But the City could not impose. It could only convince and negotiate.
