As noted in The Spec article by Emma Reilly, last night's Council meeting rejected the Lynwood Charlton application for an exception to the Radial Separation Bylaw.
Which means they can't proceed with their plans to move the facility from 52-56 Charlton to 121 Augusta.
Which means that it's a sure-thing that they'll be appealing to the OMB.
Which means, to paraphrase Bette Davis, 'Fasten your seatbelts, it's going to be a bumpy ride.'
I've already seen the expected reaction from those who believe this is a straight-up human rights violation, and that Council should have known better, seen the light, and just gotten rid of the bylaw. All fine and good. (My stance on the bylaw as well as the proposed location for the facility can be found elsewhere on this site.) I now await the lambasting, the pillorying, the increase in disappointment and cynicism towards City Hall.
I see things differently than these Hamiltonians. Just as with the ward boundary reform issue (and hopefully with term limits), I see it as an opportunity to generate some discussion, to allow this community to get better at debate, to raise up the level of discourse in the city.
Getting our feet wet, our hands dirty, our psyches a little burdened can only be a good thing, especially if it leads to an increase in general participation in our own governance, it it means more people are invested in how things unfold in Hamilton. Whatever nicks and scratches we accumulate, whatever tiny scars we accrue will pale in comparison to a few more arrows for our quiver when something pivotal arises.
It might be uncomfortable, it may even make people cringe, but in the end, I believe it'll be worth it.
M Adrian Brassington
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I'm always interested in feedback, differing opinions, even contrarian blasts...as long as they're delivered with decorum...with panache and flair always helping.