I Went To The Dark Side

I’m a real estate developer. I’m pro-development. I’ve had projects denied by city council as a result of community opposition. In every case, I’ve been shocked by the intensity of community opposition and truly felt that our project was designed to enhance the community, and not detract from it. 

Some community opposition has been based on absolutely made up stories that are not at all connected with reality. That’s a polite way of saying that residents in some cases will tell a lie to further their objective of keeping growth away from their community. 

Last week I joined a community opposition group. The experience has been a fantastic learning. So much so, that I thought it would be worth sharing the experience with you. 

On today’s show I’m sharing my personal experience being part of a community opposition group. This was a Facebook group that surfaced around a proposed suburban development project that local residents think is too big, and out of place with the suburb at the far extremity of the urban boundary. Th project consists of 431 apartments, including a 25 story tower. The original proposal for the site was three 9 story buildings, which already would be a stretch for the community.  

The group is barely a week old and has 618 members. The target is a public hearing involving the local city councillor that is scheduled for two weeks from the date the group was formed. 

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Host: Victor Menasce

email: podcast@victorjm.com