Long Branch has some issues related to Committee of Adjustment decisions

In a previous post, I discussed a particular issue related to the Committee of Adjustment, on a particular street in Long Branch.

Not being acquainted with all of the details related to the case, I will omit the particulars of the case and instead will share the following comments.

I have heard many bad-news stories (bad news from my perspective as a resident) related to the Committee of Adjustment and the Ontario Municipal Board – each with unique details, and yet identical in fundamental features – in recent years.

My personal view is that – unlike Lakeview and Port Credit to the west of us at the City of Mississauga, which in terms of city-wide and local political leadership, and decision-making related to planning issues, are exemplars of fully functioning neighbourhoods  – Long Branch is now, by contrast to other neighbourhoods, beyond question in a state of acute and spectacular dysfunction.

In particular with regard to coherence in relation to planning decisions, we as residents are living in a situation that demonstrates the hallmarks of a failed state.

Many have already left Long Branch; more will be leaving

Those who can, are leaving. A number of people, who in the past have been active in the community, have already left. Based on what I know about their approach to civic engagement, I know they will bring much of value to the communities where they have moved to. They have moved away, following experiences related to the Committee of Adjustment and the OMB.

What will remain, for those who have left the community, are great memories of a Long Branch that was in the past a great place to live.

People come and go for all kinds of reasons in any community.

From online discussions with a good number of them, over the years, I’m aware that many former residents of Long Branch now live in communities across Canada.

I’m pleased that, in a small way, the Preserved Stories website serves as a way that previous Long Branch residents can keep in touch with each other, and share a few cherished stories and photos, about the days gone by.

In some cases, people with a previous connection with Long Branch have renewed acquaintances, sometimes a half-century later, as a result of local-history posts at this website.

I am very pleased each time that happens.

New residents in Long Branch will, in turn, have experiences in the here and now that will be unique, and in many cases, rewarding.

Do your research; do your due diligence

That said, prospective residents who are currently contemplating purchasing in Long Branch are advised to do more than a little research. Some things you can’t prepare for, even with all the due diligence in the world. But you can look at the track record for things like so-called Minor Variances. In Long Branch, the record is incessantly and spectacularly abysmal.

That is to say, prospective purchasers are strongly advised to find out what has been happening across the neighbourhood in recent years, in order to get a sense of what they may be encountering.