There is no phrase I detest more with me entire being than "The Character of the Neighbourhood" - it is a dog whistle for white supremacist, ableist, classist rhetoric and is sometimes accompanied by straight-up overtly racist remarks. https://www.rewire.org/how-discussions-of-neighborhood-character-reinforce-structural-racism/

We have a horrible history in St. John's with prejudicial attitudes towards the "undesirable" residents and business-owners and unfortunately these attitudes persist today. Logy Bay Rd Senior's Quadriplex. Whiteway St triplex. Eliz Ave student apt bldg proposal (now mansions),

People don't usually come out and say "I don't want renters living on my street" they say "this multi-unit housing proposal will destroy the character of the neighbourhood". "we actually clean up our trash unlike the students". "a heritage designation would solve this Q forever".

The fallacy that renters = transitory residents with no pride of place keeps a lot of good projects from happening, with Councillors often siding with the NIMBY contingency in order to keep their seats. This is considered reasonable and normal by too many voters/politicians.

It doesn't mean that all density-boosting applications are good/should always be approved. It doesn't mean heritage = bad and new dev = good. But it does mean that you should pay attention to the submissions we receive on applications such as rezonings to see WHY one fails

Look out for the dog whistle terms that reinforce structural racism, and examine your own biases towards a target market for any new development. Many homeowners would have bought from homeowners that actively opposed inclusionary zoning. I'm sure I benefit from that too!

TW RACISM

Do you live on Prescott St? You benefit! One day in 1908 a man from the east end came down and tried to demolish a Chinese Laundry, 2 years after the Head Tax and around when the Telegram declared “time some steps were taken to check this invasion of undesirables.”

Take some time in the Heritage NF pages on the central slum, the history of affordable housing, and the abuse endured by immigrants in St. John's over the LOCATIONS of their businesses and homes. Anyway we have a lot to grapple with, but please stop decrying The Character.

Anyway I'm over here responding to people who are concerned about Jack Axes proposal on Merrymeeting Road being a "quiet residential area" even though mixed-use communities are places with things to do and prevent ya'll from long drives to the box stores for entertainment?

I know change is scary but we have to move things forward in St. John's so we can catch up to other amazing walkable cities and towns across the world. We can do it, but we need support from voters who check their privilege and their biases before knee-jerk opposition to an idea.