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THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1969 We all realize the need for certain redevelopment and for additional assessment which can be obtained from highrise apartments, I favor redevelopment in blighted and slum areas in the Borough. However, there must be a reasonable balance between highrise It is obvious from the numerous objections of various ratepayers groups throughout the Borough concerning the intrusion of highrise apartments in residential areas, that the Planning Board and Council will have to make many changes in the Official Dear Sir: A A Permit me commend the Weston Times on its recent e d it orials ~abiout expropriation and . the proposed Official Plan‘ of the Borough of York. ‘Build apartments only in blighted areas of York" would be contrary to democratic principles. In my area, Ward 1, the Official Plan has proposed highrise apartments in both the north and south ends. Due to theâ€" vigorous objection of the Cedarvale Ratepayers‘ Association, the Planning Board at its last meeting withdrew proposed highrise apartments in the Heathdaleâ€"Claxton district. However, there is still an attempt at spot rezoning on â€" Ragalan Avenue, opposed by the residents. At its coming meeting on February 13, the Planning Board will make a decision re. highrise in the Humewood area, the southern part of my Ward. and residential:districts. To unilaterally .and arrogantly force highrise in residential 1 oppose this plan and will continue to oppose it because Humewood is a decent, wellkept residential area composed mainly of working people who have a right‘ to keep the homes they worked hard all their lives to maintain. the Planning Board, Mr. A.E. Bennetts, president of the Humewood Ratepayers‘ Association, presented a brief and petition with 279 names (obtained in only three days) opposed to highrise. Attempts were made by certain members of the Board to discredit this legitimate petition and brief in arrogant fashion. It is to be hoped that the majority of the Planning Board will heed the wishes of the residents in the Humewood area and reject the proposed highrise apartments. At the last meeting of One of the chief recommendations of the Hellyer Housing Task Force is to ‘‘preserve the singleâ€"family home". This should be taken into consideration by the York Planning Board on Feb. 13th. has rejected applications for highrise apartments in the Humewood area. Therefore the residents rightly assumed that the matter was ended, since the OMB is the Court of Last Resort for Planning in Ontario. It is extremely un fair and most questionable for the York Planning Board to now attempt to ressurect the corpse twice buried by the Municipal Board. this© entire Humewood controversy is that twice in the past ten years the The significant point of North York Mayor James Service : wondered last week why Metro government has so may lawyers on the staff, The Mayor asks why ~ _ so many lawyers North York Mayor agreements does Metro. James Service wondered Graft?" ‘Mr. Servite asked last . week why Metro . Meétro‘s chief solicitor Alex â€" government has so may Joy at last week‘s Metro lawyers on the staff. The Executive Committee total is 14 compared to budget session. Mr. Joy four in North York. . said none. "How many subdivision Why Metro has 14~ solicitors, said Mr. Joy can . *~â€"â€"oâ€"moâ€"neâ€"mmmmomâ€"â€"oâ€"«â€"«â€"«â€"â€"« _ bo oxplatich it Pakkom In conclusion, I agree over 15,000 real estate with Mayor Jean Drapeau transactions carried© out of Montreal that Canadian each year. This deals with cities are being forced into Metro expropriation of bankruptcy by the heavy property for subway and tax burden. What is needed _ expressway routes and is greater tax relief by the other civic projects. Metro higher levels of also handles 20 to 30 government. A simple arbitrations yearly and method would be for the represents Metro police federal government to department, Metro planning implement the Carter board and provides services Report, which recommends to the Canadian national a capital gains tax on land exhibition, O‘Keefe centre, speculation. Metro school board and In conclusion, I agree with Mayor Jean Drapeau of Montreal that Canadian cities are being forced into bankruptcy by the heavy tax burden. What is needed is greater tax relief by the higher levels of government. A â€" simple method would be for the federal government to implement the Carter Report, which recommends a capital gains tax on land speculation. Ben Nobleman, Alderman Ward 1, Borough of York. Metro 1lice.nsing commission. Mr. Service is a lawyer.