It boggles my mind that people can come out in numbers to oppose the proposal of two new towers being built on Gladwin Road. There are the common voices: “Don’t trade trees for towers; this area is a green space gem; and, this will destroy the fish-bearing creek.”
Are these the same people that bought units in adjacent properties with local real estate agents promoting the area as being “close to shopping, Sevenoaks, Mill Lake, restaurants, views of Mt. Baker, surrounding areas and walking trails close by.”
Are these the same people that seem to have found it perfectly acceptable to have their own developments surround Horn Creek Park with what seems to be absolutely no negative impact to the environment?
If you take the time to look at the property in question on Google Earth and compare it to the artist’s illustration in The News dated April 11, it seems that very little (if any) of the existing trees/park will be impacted by this development.
If you take a little bit more time, you will see that the developer has satisfied the stringent requirements of both the City of Abbotsford and the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans. There have been provisions set in place to have on going environmental monitoring during construction, ensuring that the storm water management plan meets strict requirements.
Lastly, there is a two-year follow up already in place to make sure the restoration works are functioning as intended.
Why are none of the positives being exploited?
The developer has offered to set aside an area for green space; there will be a viewing platform built to enjoy the beauty of the creek; there will be shopping and other conveniences within the development; and most importantly, there will be modern affordable housing that is located in a very desirable area of the city. So desirable, in fact, there are already three existing high-rises directly adjacent to the proposed development.
I have lived in Abbotsford for just over 40 years and have seen many changes. Some have come with opposition and some have been welcomed.
With the city’s newest plan of high density living within the city, the citizens of Abbotsford had better get used to welcoming such developments.
It just seems more than convenient to be acceptable when it worked for them.
John McQuarrie, Abbotsford