Dear editor:

Chances are that very little will change in the way NOTL looks at development proposals in the future, given its appointment of Aimee Alderman as planning director.

Not when she was the town’s manager of planning and development from 2024-2026, years that saw NOTL staff recommend approval of several questionable and controversial projects, from the Parliament Oak hotel and the modifications to the Chrysler-Burroughs property to the demolition of three heritage-designated properties to make way for the new Royal George Theatre.

I anticipate we’ll just see more of the same in the days ahead with her at the helm of the town’s planning department.

Alderman has seemingly said as much herself, stating in The Lake Report (“New director wants to help public better understand planning decisions,” Jan. 29) that “staff must follow provincial planning law and applicable policies when dealing with proposals,” but never once referring to NOTL’s new official plan nor to the Ontario Municipal Act, which clearly outlines the powerful role that official plans can and should play in guiding future development in Ontario communities.

I hope I’m wrong, and that things will change.

That staff will stop recommending council approval of projects that neither conform to the official plan and existing zoning nor to current bylaws.

That developers will take NOTL’s official plan into consideration before they submit development proposals, and forego requesting major variances to existing zoning in support of noncomplying projects.

And that NOTL will continue to be a wonderful place to live, work and visit.

But I’m not optimistic.

Terry Davis
NOTL