Whitby Shores Community Forums

I was very pleased and impressed by the prepardness and professional manner Whitbyshore residents showed at the planning meeting Monday night.

Many good issues were raised and they need to be addressed.

I think the biggest concern I have is the lack of concern or understanding from the balance of our community.

Although through media (newspaper) and local residents door to door and posters on mailboxes,  I expected the turn out to much larger.

I think the word needs to get out whether it is door to door or an  information sheet prepared or a formal website or link created.

When I spoke to several residents after the meeting about this and they had not attended, they did not realize the scope of this project and the impact it may have.

Any suggestions or ideas to get this going.

This project will effect everyone in different ways.  It will affect the quality of life to come for many years and I think that  people need to be made aware of that and get involved somehow.

ANY other sugestions.

I could not agree more...the more research that I do, the more I realize that we need to be ready for the next steps.

What do people think about forming a Whitby Shores Homeowners Association to help us organize and focus our efforts?

(If we do, I will alter my screen name to avoid confusion!)

A Whitby Shores Homeowners Association use to exist. Myself and Nan have been carrying the "fight for a school" piece for the last 2 years, and we'll continue to lead it, but a real association could tackle the other important items that affect our community that we simply do not have time for.

If you are seriously interested, we'd be more then happy to meet and help you get the process started for you to lead.

A few items to consider in creating a successful association:
- defined mandate and scope
- a charter (in particular if you decide to collect a membership fees)
- diverse and dedicated volunteers (leaders, worker bees...)
- political savviness
- community support

I would be very interested in joining a Homeowners Association. I feel like getting the word out is the biggest obstacle. Many of the people I have spoken to in the area are unaware of this site. These same people seem also to be unaware of the EcoPlace plans. Although I have limited time I would certainly volunteer to be included in the worker bee category.

Count me in! This seems like a very worthwhile cause to me and for my family. I moved from the Danforth in Toronto 8 years ago in part to get away from urbanity. I can't imagine moving back and I really don't want to see South Whitby turned into a Scarborough: high-rise central; neighbours living on top of each other; congestion... I'm not completely against development as it seems to be the norm these days and if done properly, it can be a boon to residents. But it has to be smart development with several very important factors sewn into the process:

Respect for the surrounding environment:
What will happen to all the open greenfield space?
What will happen to Lynde Shores and all the wildlife therein?

Respect for current and future Whitby Shores residents:
Will our voices actually be heard by Whitby's planning commitee or will the tax grab mentality win out?
Will traffic increase in our quiet neighbourhood?

School development:
I imagine the Ecoplace development will guarantee that a school will be built behind my house. Will one be enough?

Waterfront development:
Will any thought be given to further enhancing our portion of the Waterfront Trail?

Transportation:
The Whitby GO station parking lots are already beyond capacity. Will there be some concessions made by Iroquios to allow more commuters to park in their lot or will there be a tiered parking garage built?
Will Henry Street and the bridge over the 401 be fixed/widened?

Safety:
With up to 14000 more people in South Whitby will the current OPP detachment be moved or enlarged?
Will Henry Street ever get some traffic lights installed?


I think if the development is done properly and intelligently we stand to benefit greatly. However, if Ecoplace is done quickly and with no thought then I will be looking for another place to call home. Sniff... Let's do all we can to make our voices heard. Elizabeth Roy is a good ally as is Pat Perkins. But I doubt Ms. Perkins has the time to check our site.

Jabber.

Please consider forwarding your comments to 'Letters to the Editor" column in Whitby This Week. The artists rendering of the completed site would also be a great addition. You have certainly covered many of the very important points that should be of concern to all residents of Whitby. This proposed high density area will, without a doubt, increase crime in this area and probably all of Whitby.

Excellent replies to the start of this subject.

I think what needs to be done even before a HOA is set up is....

I believe energy just needs to be put into as fast as possible
getting the work out to WS residents about this project.

Setting up a HOA will take time.

I think that this is a project many residents can get behind once they have the facts on its .

It may mean educating people about this site as a link to this community and that they can get information from here.

I dont receive Whitby This Week so I dont get info on upcoming meeting or events or TOWN OF WHITBY notices.

I think to start out, a central location for people to go to get their information is required.  (website created or even this forum)

Then the word about this new site needs to get out and then you will have residents more aware and may come forward to help.

Setting up a HOA is a big project in itself and should be looked into but also time is on our side and it may be better to start tackling this project first and the as it goes along start up a HOA.

My times is limited as is many other and I would like to put my energy into ECOplace side of things and maybe other with HOA experience could handle it.

I noticed many retired residents at several of the meetings and I think they would be a great assest also with this.

ANYONE want to meet in a informal get together to brainstorm and talk about this more.
With nice weather even outside get together at someones house etc.
IT has to start somewhere.
THANKS AGAIN everyone.

OH I FORGOT..

once this is set up, then sending letters to the editor (media etc) would be more of a co-ordinated efforts and would have input from many residents.

It would be better to send a letter to a editor as a group

eg.  Whitbyshores Home Owners Association
       Whitbyshores Home Owners concerned over ECOPLACE etc etc

It has more impact because sometimes letters to the editors have mistakes or many of the subjects have been addressed and it would be better to co-ordinate the same feeling of residents to have more of an impact.

Media represenative would be a important part of dealing with this project and is something that would need to be looked at.
Getting the message out and with correct facts makes residents look more prepared and organized.

OK now Im done.

Great comments. It's wonderful that we have this forum. Do you have any ideas how we can get more people participating in this thread. I have been quite concerned about this project since it was announced but seeing the artist rendering of the site has had the biggest impact as far as I'm concerned. Hearing about something is one thing but if people actually get to visualize what's being discussed I think that the level of community particiapation would increase. I'm all for meeting to brainstorm on how to organize our protests but considering the number of people who attended the town meeting, and assuming more residents get onboard, coming up with a suitable meeting place will be difficult.