A recent dispute over development plans for the Corydon-area has prompted some residents to form a community association to improve communication among themselves and other area stakeholders.

Earlier this month, the city’s property committee approved a motion that called for work on a secondary plan for the neighbourhood to be terminated after some developers and business owners said they felt the plan was unduly restrictive.

The city has since agreed to continue work on the plan with the help of an independent consultant.

Area residents say the incident illustrates the need for people who live in the neighbourhood to have more say in the planning process.

Resident Sasha Amaya suggested the idea of a residents’ association during a community meeting held July 10 at River Osborne Community Centre. The meeting was organized by Coun. Jenny Gerbasi (Fort Rouge) to discuss the future of the secondary plan with residents.

"There isn’t really a framework for residents to communicate with each other right now, and we really need that for our neighbourhood," Amaya said.

"It seems like there’s a lack of communication with all parties, especially now that our community is growing and changing. A lot of people didn’t know what was going on with the (secondary) plan until there was news that it was cancelled and then people wanted to know what was going on.

"I think this group will help keep people updated and help them make informed decisions and figure out their stance on things," she added.

Amaya has begun compiling email addresses of prospective members and individuals can find out more about the fledgling group by contacting her at corydonosborneca@gmail.com.

She said the aim is to eventually establish a presence on the web so that area residents can exchange information with each other about the neighbourhood.

Jessie Avenue resident John Godard said he agrees there is a need for more community representation when it comes to discussions about the neighborhood’s future.

He said a community association could better present the views of people in the neighbourhood to elected officials.

"It’s a basis to be able to mobilize the neighbourhood, should there be a need to," he said.

"It’s also a basis for people in the planning process to know there is a group of people in the area who are very concerned (with the process) and willing to engage in various forms of action to try and make sure they’re not left out of the equation."

Godard said most of his concerns stem from the fact many area homeowners feel they have not be a part of the decisions-making process in the Corydon-area.

Gerbasi assured area residents at last week’s meeting that now that the secondary plan is back on track, everyone, including residents, will be invited to be part of the process.

"I think the more involvement and engagement (from the community), the better," she said.

"It’s positive to be engaged and positive to be communicating to each other, and if you’re more organized, the message can get out a little more clearly to the people making decisions."

Gerbasi assured those in attendance at last week’s meeting that the planning process for the neighbourhood will be a collaborative process involving both residents and business owners.

"If we can get the process back on track and get a draft, (residents) will have the chance to review the draft and give their input. We’re hoping to have better communication to people throughout the whole process," she said.

"If everything works, there will be lots of opportunities for people to be heard."

 

danielle.finch@canstarnews.com