On Development ...

I keep in mind that I have been elected by the CITIZENS of this City to represent their interests. I firmly believe that is where my loyalties must lie.

Ensuring that citizens can continue to enjoy their homes is crucial to me when development throughout the City puts pressures on residential neighbourhoods.

I believe that their home is many Niagara Falls homeowners’ biggest investment. Protecting adjacent residents’ property values and ensuring their continued enjoyment of their property is a paramount concern for me when contemplating proposed developments or redevelopments.

I have consistently opposed plans to put parking lots, body?rub parlours, and other incompatible uses in residential areas throughout the City.

I have been proactive in working to protect residential neighbourhoods.

For example, in August 2001, Kim Craitor and I prepared and hand-delivered letters to the residents along the entire length of Dixon Street. We had learned, through discussions with City staff on the Main Street Closure study, that the main entrance for the new casino parking lot will be located at the eastern end of Dixon Street.

We wanted to ensure that the people who would be most directly impacted by increased traffic along Dixon received as much advance notice as possible, so that any requests could be incorporated into the Main Street Closure study. As a result of our efforts, a petition came forward asking that the street be closed to tourist traffic.

As a result of this, and a similar petition from Murray Street, both these streets will be closed to through traffic to buffer and protect the residential areas.

I have argued repeatedly at Council that a buffer zone is needed between the growing Fallsview tourist area and the residential neighbourhoods to its west.

I have been a strong proponent of the “Downtown Trail,” a recreational corridor proposed to run from McLeod Road to the NS&T Trail in the City’s north end. The “Downtown Trail” plans are in Transportation Master Plan approved by Council in 1998. This trail, to run along the Hydro corridor parallel to Allandale Avenue, will ensure that a green buffer zone between the tourist and residential areas is maintained.