Dear editor:

In our two-week absence from NOTL, there has been quite a shift in council’s focus.

It appeared that town council was in a rush to quietly pass as many approvals for developments by amending the official plan, rezoning, completely ignoring the parking and traffic challenges and the availability of services etc. among other overlooked necessary issues.

There was also the glaring omission of public meetings to include the residents whose lives would be greatly affected.

It seems council’s focus has changed to a preliminary review of our heritage district expansion in order to “preserve the rich heritage of NOTL’s Old Town.”

I am thoroughly confused and require help to sort this out.

For example, council passes the building of a large modern hotel adjacent to Hummel’s heritage home at the entrance to our heritage district, is considering subdividing the Crysler-Burroughs heritage designated home to allow a double garage with living quarters facing Queen Street, passed a four-storey condo — rejected by a previous council because of location surrounded by single-family homes — and an oversized hotel on King Street, also surrounded by single-family homes.

Now, they are hiring a company to help them with their review after disbanding our volunteer urban design committee whose members were highly qualified professionals.

What am I missing?

Luba Fraser
NOTL