Highland Creek Development Plan has been under consultation since 2012. I was there. There has been extensive consultations with the neighbourhood. What I heard from people was that they don't want "it to become like Liberty Village".
The city has plans to change road configurations, including the removal of the Highland Creek Overpass Bridge.
I am not here to critique the work or the approvals.
As Councillor for Ward 25, I will focus on ensuring Highland Creek retains its unique village atmosphere. My goal is to support thoughtful growth that respects our community's character and prevents the over-gentrification that can erase a neighborhood's identity.
Highland Creek can be a vital business hub for local businesses. New development should add to the customer base. I would hate to see what I have seen in other areas of the city, in which local businesses are priced out due to corporatization or gentrification.
Keeping it from becoming "Liberty Village" means a balance of development for everyone. Seniors who want to downsize, first-time buyers, and buyers with families. It should have some Live-Work Space, probably some commercial condo opportunities, and heights should be managed.
It will be imperative to keep a local heritage feel for new developments, with pleasing aesthetics and not generic glass box condos or big-box architecture.
Also, one of the main critiques of Liberty Village is that it is overdone. It got to a point where it was successful, and then it became a magnet for overdevelopment, and now it is very congested and constantly a construction zone.
Highland Creek development will become successful, but there should be a point where the city says, "It's enough".
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