Wake up from your “stupor” and take a look at development

July 23, 2014 · 0 Comments

(Re: Aurora needs to secure access on nature preserve as 2C development gets underway, July 11, 2014)

As a citizen of Aurora for 10 years, and as someone who is concerned with development in Aurora, I felt compelled to write a letter and implore my fellow Aurorans to wake up out of their stupor and speak out against unrestricted development in the 2C lands.
Have only I seen what is happening along St. John’s Sideroad and Leslie Street? A large part of our tree canopy has been slashed and burned for more houses.
With a great sense of irony did I read the article from last week’s Auroran in which Susan Walmer says, in an attempt to be kind, that new owners of these homes “want to live beside nature and conservation, but that is a principle which needs to be protected.”
Housing developers, several of them, purchased land in a beautiful, undeveloped natural area of our town. They then proceeded to chop down each and every mature tree that they were permitted to, raze the land, drive out all wildlife to parts unknown, to build box-like homes, energy guzzlers all, due to the lack of canopy shading them. Thousands of extra bodies, hundreds of cars, and for all of this, we lost so much. For this, the developers will profit greatly. What is the benefit to us?
I used to be proud that Aurora was so green, so conscious of overdevelopment. I moved from Richmond Hill and
I witnessed the devastation of development and sprawl there; how could I imagine that no one would say no to development money here as well?
The impassioned letters from environmental leaders have dried up, their words falling against the brick wall that is Council. People who used to champion our trail system have ceded. Where does that leave us now?
I am not sure who owns the responsibility for allowing this destructive development to stain our town. Perhaps the land was sold, and permission given, long ago. However, I do know that five years ago a progressive plan was in place, including a trail system, and preserved natural areas.
I also know that this plan was quietly altered and minimized by our current Council, who so desperately wanted to see Bulk Barn succeed in Aurora. As much controversy surrounded our former Mayor, she, at least, spoke out against rampant overdevelopment.
To all of those who have witnessed and agonized over this development, speak up! Write a letter, attend a council meeting. Do not give up—it is only through action that we might change a path that we can sense is leading us to trouble down the road. As well, be conscious of who you vote for in the Mayoral race. Obviously, we in Aurora need all the help we can get.

S. Joseph
Aurora

(Editor’s Note: While many trees have been removed for the incoming development in question, significant environmental elements will remain, including the proposed Aurora Wildlife Park.)