Dear editor:

It is obvious to me and many Niagara-on-the-Lake residents that some members of town council and our planning department seem to reside on another planet.

Let me get this straight: We approve the zoning for a four-storey, five-star hotel in a residential area, another four-storey hotel along historic Queen Street and now we agree to rezone a historic property on this same historic street — a property that received historic designation 22 years ago.

It’s my understanding that all three of these decisions are not consistent with the town’s official plan or strategic objectives.

If this is the case, then we as residents must initiate an impeachment process.

Why is this council and Lord Mayor Gary Zalepa intent on destroying the cultural heritage of Niagara-on-the-Lake?

I should add that Couns. Gary Burroughs, Sandra O’Connor and Tim Balasiuk have consistently voted against these developments. Kudos to them.

The decision to rezone 187 Queen St., is the last straw. The applicant is proposing to sever this historic property and build a garage with an apartment above it.

That will certainly go a long way to solving the housing crisis in this town.

But the most unbelievable aspect of this whole affair is the fact that town staff worked with the applicant to revise his application in order to make it more palatable.

If our council insists on destroying historic properties and pandering to developers, why not remove the historic designation of Fort George and thereby allow for hotels, condos, etc. on that sacred ground?

Imagine our increased tax base.

I trust that this council will wake up, return to Earth and heed some of the excellent advice that gets reported in our weekly newspaper from professionals like Brian Marshall, Jim and Erika Alexander, the Lake Report staff, and many others.

Buddy Andres
NOTL