Comment 28678

By Three (anonymous) | Posted February 13, 2009 at 14:23:46

Whoa whoa whoa. We can't have it both ways, demanding bureaucrats make contractors follow the rules when building homes, then demand they not apply the rules to arts entrepreneurs who have opened shop where they're not to. We may want some of those rules handy when, say, someone wants to open a strip club in an abandoned neighbourhood church down the block.

The Pearl Company IS a gem and it is facing some issues common to the types of changes going on in our neighbourhoods right now. It is evident to me that city bureaucrats recognize this. After all, they have not applied $50,000/day fines against The Pearl for non-conforming use, they have merely told the owners of their potential liability according to existing laws. They would have been unfair and remiss not to have provided such important information. But rather than apply fines they have negotiated with the owners to find a way through the problem. City bureaucrats should not be changing the laws or their applications willy nilly. Applying for a zoning change and meeting the parking conditions satisfies existing laws is a lot cheaper and better than paying fines. It is not ideal for the owners, but it is improvement.

City council can make exceptions regarding parking requirements, however. They are the ones to lobby, rather than insulting bureaucrats. And fundraisers can be held to help with the fees. It happens that The Pearl Company has the facilities and I think they have sufficient deserved community support to easily raise $7,000. I'd kick in. wouldn't you?

Far more productive to lobby councillors and contribute a few dollars than to insult an often unfairly maligned group of folks for doing what they are supposed to do- apply the rules.

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