I am a Pickering resident…

I am a Pickering resident and I am an accredited real estate appraiser. I understand land use policy. Do not develop in the Greenbelt. Do not move forward with this plan.

There is ample room within the Region of Durham and Pickering to develop within existing urban boundaries, or within "whitebelt" areas.

Expanding into the Greenbelt does not make good planning sense. If it does not make good planning sense, why do it? Prior to the Toronto Star flagging it, I noticed some "curious sales" in north Pickering - developers buying Greenbelt designated lands. They were buying at a price too high for Greenbelt, but certainly a pretty good deal if the land gets pulled out of the Greenbelt.

This Government has signaled its intention to allow three-unit dwellings as-of-right. This is a very good move. Taking land out of the Greenbelt pulls policy in the exact opposite direction.

Sprawl will not solve the housing issues. Paving over farmland will make a few developers even richer, and leave regular tax payers on the hook for permanently paying for additional roads, utilities, and other infrastructure. Do not move forward with this plan.