Dear editor:

Having read all the columns and letters to the editor of The Lake Report over the last few weeks, here are my two cents’ worth.

The development of a “five-star” hotel by Benny Marotta’s Two Sisters Resorts on King Street and the Hummel hotel on Queen Street are faux pas in so many ways. It’s obvious when looking at all the negatives and trying to find something positive.

Despite what the tourism strategy experts have suggested, the addition of two more large hotels is superfluous to the needs of the market, when other hotel owners admit to empty rooms in all but the summer months, casting doubts about economic viability.

The negatives are compounded by their inability to hire suitable, or in many cases, any, staff at all.

Hundreds of Old Town residents directly affected and accompanied by others who see the light have even been irate enough to march on the town hall with placards to protest that such power has been assumed by the lord mayor and council.

They agreed to allow building heights of 62 feet and disregard the 36-foot limit of the official plan and the residents’ right to quiet enjoyment.

All of that by a simple 5-4 vote. Democracy gone mad.

The decisions are in direct opposition to the views that they expressed to be elected.

Niagara-on-the-Lake’s Old Town is unique. It’s different from everywhere else and that’s why people come here, for the wonderful world-class theatre and wineries.

There will, however, be a limit to NOTL’s attraction if its small-town historic charm is overwhelmed by architecturally irrelevant buildings, such as those proposed for King Street and Queen Street.

As residents, we tolerate a lot of traffic noise but the addition of thousands more vehicle movements by the overnighters, weekenders, wedding guests and commercial deliveries will push us even closer to the brink … to the point when the “five-star” visitors will conclude that NOTL is way too busy to put on their bucket list.

However, it’s not too late to save the situation. Ask Mr. Marotta and Two Sisters to build something that is desperately needed and would be welcomed with open arms: An elegant retirement residence.

Hamish Kerr
NOTL