I live in the Stouffville…

I live in the Stouffville area. Transit is almost non-existent. You can go from 9th and Main to the Markham-Stouffville Hospital ion York Transit. You can go from Stouffville GO Station to Toronto via bus, train or bus/train depending on the time. If you need to go somewhere else, you must drive. If you can not walk to 9th and Main or to one of the GO stops on Stouffville Rd (Main St) then you must drive.

A development at McCowan Road would require expenditures on behalf of the government for improved transit, or expenditures on the new residents for a vehicle. Children must be bussed to school. They are restricted in activities and interacting with their peers because of transportation - example "I must go, I need to catch the school bus". "I can't join the school team because my parents can't pick-me up from practice or games". "I can't get home - no transit, no car"

Is the future new home on McCowan Road really affordable? A potential home owner must use a vehicle to go shopping. If the vehicle needs repair then what - leave it at the repair garage and walk home, take a taxi (if you can get one), ask a friend? If you don't work from home, then you must drive to work or drive to a GO Station. Do the existing GO Stations have sufficient parking for a large number of additional vehicles? The GO train schedules leave much to be desired in scheduling. They go south in the morning and north in the evening. What if you work night shift? You need to drive.

Affordability. What is the government definition of Affordability? I am self-employed, single and make around $40,000 per year. Housing cost = 45% of income; Provincial tax = 5% of income; Federal tax=15% of income; CPP contributions = 11% of income; car insurance = 3% of income (no decrease yet despite accident free for decades); Internet + cell (no cable) = 5% of income; Electricity= 3% of income . Total of 87% of income not available for use. That leaves $5,200 available to cover expenses for a year - gas, food, other essentials (vet bills, prescriptions, toiletries, etc) - or $433 per month. One car repair bill may use up two months of "free" income.

Affordable housing in existing (non-Greenbelt) areas can be done. Both the provincial and municipal governments are at fault. A 2,400 sq foot home provides more property tax than a 1,400 sq. foot home. Municipalities need to provide less sewer/water/electrical hookups with a one large home on a property. Developers can ask for higher values for a large home. The only ones that win in this affordability plan are developers. Urban sprawl requires more infrastructure, proper land use in existing areas can use existing infrastructure and will allow for upgrading.

Fifty years ago I lived at Victoria Park and Eglinton. Forested areas for family walks started at Finch. The loss of the Greenbelt will push forest out of reach of most of the GTA. Fresh, local food will be out of reach of most of the GTA. You cannot plant crops in a parking lot. The COVID pandemic made it very apparent that dependence on long supply chains results in shortages and high cost. Costs that are not affordable for people who do not make $100,000 per year. Keep farm land available for farming. Help the farmers who end up selling because they cannot survive with the cost of taxes.

Greenbelts connect humans to nature. Do not destroy that connection. Use existing developed lands more efficiently.