The way

The promise is great. The prospect of transforming the former air force base into a collection of communities, shops and businesses is encouraging. Inspiring. The notion that this development will drive economic and cultural activity in Prince Edward County is already evident.

And we need more homes. As the former provincial finance minister said last week in support of the developer’s Official Plan Amendment (OPA) application, affordable housing is about supply and demand. (See story here).

I believe this. I’ve written these words many, many times over the past 15 years. In support of housing development. In support of growth. So the promise is good.

It is not development or growth, however, that is causing this columnist unease at the end of this year, but rather the way the Council has abdicated its role as guardian of the values of this community.

Affordability. Sustainability. Net zero. Heritage. The words roll so easily and so frequently from the mouths of council members. Almost as if they mean them. Yet, when it came time to make these words real—they balked. When the moment came to stand up for the idea of Prince Edward County last week, in an unnecessarily rushed process, Council chose instead to become advocates—cravenly tripping over each other to heap praise and glory upon the developers.

This column has long argued that Council and municipal leadership should be more proactive and focused on attracting new homebuilding and streamlining processes to make it happen. But always—always— coupled with those calls was the insistence that collectively, we make it clear—in stark and simple terms—that there are values and principles we hold as non-negotiable. If we all understand this at the outset and maintain the means to rigorously enforce these values throughout the decades-long partnership, we are going to get along just fine.

Sadly, council forgot what to say after welcome.

The OPA passed easily, with some council members demanding a unanimous vote—insisting their colleagues fall in line—as a show of allegiance to the project developers. The document had landed on their desk just days earlier. (It is expected to be ratified at the first council meeting in January.) Surely, the breathtaking speed with which it all unfolded and was sealed will impress the project partnership.

The OPA says five per cent of the housing at Base31 will be affordable. Some council members believe this is a starting point— wishing it out loud. The developer was clear. Its commitment is five per cent. Few were willing to press the developer on this point— beyond changing the wording from “contemplate” to “require” five per cent affordable housing. This wasn’t an issue Council was prepared to make a fuss about.

Sustainable development didn’t come up at all. While other communities are setting standards for net-zero homebuilding, some developers are doing so as a means to distinguish their projects to appeal to conscientious and discerning homebuyers. As a competitive advantage. Perhaps a neighbourhood geothermal heating trial? Perhaps more stringent building methods? Council chose not to bring it up.

Both Council and the developer talk about the rich heritage value of this property—of the stories and experiences embodied in these buildings and their resonance in this community. Yet, Council declined to proactively protect these assets in the OPA, trusting, instead, the goodwill of the development partnership to care for this history. Indeed, the OPA document summary notes big gaps in the Cultural Heritage Assessment report, yet it nevertheless recommended approval despite these gaps, suggesting this could be done later.

It is utterly unclear that Council has much leverage left to wield. As the planner noted, subtly but firmly last week, this train left the station in 2015—when council designated these lands for development. It is now rolling at a good clip. The developer has invested a great deal of money in the expectation the municipality will accommodate its needs for infrastructure— roads, pipes, wires and such—connecting it to municipal services.

The County is now in the hardball phase of negotiation with the developing partners. But it seems council isn’t willing to stand toe-to-toe with them— few council members appear ready to fight for the values that define this place. For most, it has become a matter of faith.

Yes, we need homes. Yes, we need economic and cultural energy injected into our community. We want Base31 to develop and thrive. But not at any cost. Council’s duty is to protect the values of this community. It abdicated that responsibility last week.

rick@wellingtontimes.ca