There's a part in the Lord's Prayer where we pray not to be led into temptation. It has become very evident to residents here that zoning and planning decisions can either help or hurt a community, facilitate health or lead people into temptation.
Zoning to limit density of certain land uses...
Licensing to limit proximity of certain businesses...
Some zoning and planning decisions deny the impact of pawnshops, clubs, massage parlours, arcades, etc. on the sustainability of a community. This is particularly the case when these type of 'uses' of a community grow quicker than the broader range of services available in what most other would consider 'healthy' communities. The types of businessess located in a residential area pass a subtle message to residents and passers-by regarding what types of activities are prevalent and profitable in an area.
Inner-city ghettos are often predominated by businesses which thrive on vices or problems of the area (whether that neighborhood or the city). As the density of these businesses increases, the area loses the ability to attract a broader range of businesses which profit more from the general health and employability of the area.
The same can be said for certain types of housing, such as rentals and rooming houses. To many people passing through our area, the high percentage of rental housing suggests that people in this area cannot afford to won their own homes or choose not to own homes here because of problems in the area. This heightens the perception and reality of transience in a community. Rooming houses, while necessary, multiply the potential negative impacts of such transience - especially in stressed inner-city communities.
We have worked hard to remind city planners and politicians of our concerns as residents. We regularly make apprearance regarding applications for zoning variance and licenses.
c/o New Life Ministries
514 Maryland Str,
Winnipeg, Mb R3G 1M5
Phone: 204-775-4929
Contact:
Rev. Harry Lehotsky
RETURN TO
C.I.A.
HOME PAGE
newspaper column
in the Sunday
Winnipeg Sun!
You can find some of the past columns at:
INNER CITY DIARY