From NiMBY to loving our neighbourhood in four easy stages
›› Harry Pettit
Stage 1: FEAR
Oh my God! The Fernwood NRG is proposing to build a monster house across the street from our adorable 1890s heritage home. Over our dead bodies! They want to house six families. OMG! Sure glad we aren’t living in our adorable heritage home. Absent NIMBYs are the best!
Stage 2: RESISTANCE
In front of Mayor and Council:
It’s too big.
It blocks our view.
Parking will be a nightmare.
Children will be run over.
Too noisy, too much density.
It’s a stupid idea.
OMG!
Stage 3: ACCEPTANCE AND OPENING TO NEW EXPERIENCE
The absent NIMBYs move back in to the heritage house after the apartment house is built across the street.
Aren’t those kids cute!
You know I really like the people across the street; they wave and smile at us.
They did a great job on the apartment building. Some people think it’s as old as our cute heritage house.
Sometimes I feel like Mr. Rogers: It’s a beautiful day in our neighbourhood.
Our neighbourhood, what a great idea! We had recently exiled ourselves to the suburbs for 7 years where we felt isolated. Now we’re part of a neighbourhood.
Stage 4: LOVE
Before Mayor and Council once again; this time for a hearing about zoning for co-housing just down the street.
We were wrong.
We love the people across the street.
The parking’s tight but we work it out.
The density is a good thing.
The families and children bring joy into our hearts.
OMG!
