Re: “Picking the fruits of the master plan,” March 18
In the absence of community awareness and a lack of civic leadership, it is sometimes incumbent upon a newspaper to step into the breach. On this occasion, the responsibility has been shouldered by the Nelson Star in its editorial.
The City of Nelson is poised for a headlong plunge into a rapid increase in development and population of up to 50 per cent in housing units and population. Truly remarkable for a town whose population growth has been static for years and has no apparent prospects for an equivalent expansion in its economic base.
Every community has an equilibrium in the revenue/expense balance sheet, particularly relative to rapid growth. Determining your local municipal economies of scale is an art more than it is a science. Each community is different.
Are we confident this sudden proposed growth boom for Nelson has been well thought out, or is it an ill-considered development bonanza? The mantra “expanding the tax base” must be substantiated. With three development proposals, totaling 800 housing units, and the Sustainable Waterfront and Downtown Master Plan, recommending another 1,200 units of housing, our elected officials should signal that they are not asleep at the wheel.
Thank you Nelson Star for bringing this issue to our attention.
Donovan Carter, Nelson