Romfield Residents' Association 2023 AGM Meeting Minutes
Romfield Residents' Association AGM Meeting Summary
Date: September 27, 2023
Our latest Annual General Meeting (AGM) covered several important topics related to the proposed Bayview Lane Plaza Development, the formal establishment of the Romfield Residents' Association, and a call for community engagement and volunteers. Below is a summary of the key discussions and action points.
Key Topics Discussed:
1. Bayview Lane Plaza Development
Commercial Changes: The new high-rise development will include commercial spaces, but existing businesses (except Starbucks) will be replaced. The drive-thru entrance for Starbucks will remain off Romfield.
Traffic and Safety Concerns:
Increased traffic on residential streets like Stately Way and Carriage Way is a major concern, especially with the increased number of visitors.
Safety issues for pedestrians, particularly school children, were highlighted as major concerns.
Limited parking (currently 175 spaces) will become an even bigger issue with over 900 spaces planned for the new development.
Community Impact:
The high-rise proposal does not align with the character of our neighborhood, which is primarily low-rise.
Environmental risks, shadows on homes, and overburdened infrastructure (water, sewage, and electricity) were discussed as key challenges.
Concerns were raised about the lack of consideration for community centers and school capacities to accommodate the growing population.
2. Call to Action
Get Involved: We urged all residents to actively participate by attending city planning meetings, sending emails, and raising concerns with city officials.
Communicating Effectively:
Direct, personalized emails to city officials, including Councillor Keith Irish, were encouraged. Focus on specific, local issues like traffic, parking, and safety concerns for the community.
Copy the Mayor and other key officials in your emails to ensure our concerns are heard by decision-makers.
Consistency Matters: Regular emails, consistent messaging, and large-scale community involvement are critical. The more voices, the stronger our case.
3. Establishing the Romfield Residents' Association
Volunteer Opportunities: We are seeking residents to join the Association to help organize and lead our efforts.
Professional Support: Long-term, we may consider enlisting professional consultants or legal representation to address technical concerns about the development.
Small Action Groups: We plan to create smaller subgroups focused on specific issues like traffic, parking, environmental concerns, and shadow impacts on homes.
4. Elected Officials:
At the AGM, the following individuals were elected as the Executive Officers of the Romfield Residents' Association:
Omid Tayeba – PRESIDENT
William Lee – VICE PRESIDENT
Viseh Alaeddini – TREASURER
Sasan Mirkhani – SECRETARY
We are grateful to these dedicated individuals for stepping up to serve our community and lead the association's initiatives.
Next Steps:
Petition Launch: A petition is being prepared and will be shared on Nextdoor, WhatsApp, and other platforms to gather community support. Every signature matters!
Share Your Voice: Continue sending personalized emails to local officials. Be specific about your concerns, whether it's traffic, parking, safety, or other neighborhood impacts.
Collaborate with Neighboring Associations: We’re working closely with other nearby residents' associations to strengthen our case and provide united feedback to the City.
Conclusion:
We have a small window of time to make an impact before the development moves forward. Our collective voices can make a difference in shaping the future of our community. Let’s continue to engage with the City, stay persistent in raising our concerns, and ensure the safety and well-being of our neighborhood.
Stay Connected:
Join our WhatsApp group for updates.
Look out for the petition link and share it widely!
Attend upcoming public meetings and hearings.
Thank you for your continued support and involvement!
