'Brantford has gone mad, totally mad' Natives raise alarm over Hardy Rd. plans 'Brantford has gone mad, totally mad' Posted By MICHAEL-ALLAN MARION, EXPOSITOR STAFF Updated 4 hours ago More than 200 native activists, environmental advocates and longtime residents turned out to a ward meeting Wednesday evening to voice their opposition to plans by three development companies to build housing subdivisions in a rural area along Hardy Road. With signs and flags, activists from different native groups placed throughout the gym of Coronation Public School made clear their displeasure that the developers have not consulted them about their separate rezoning applications to build subdivisions of single-family homes, duplexes and townhouses on about 200 acres of land north and south of Hardy Road, west of Golf Road. "Do they know that the land they want to build on is under a federally recognized land claim?" Clive Garlow of the Six Nations Haudenosaunee Confederacy asked, while holding a large native flag on a tall metal pole. "Brantford has gone mad, totally mad" with development, Ruby Montour, another Six Nations activist, said as she held a sign reading, "Rule of Law -- Return Stolen Land." The natives were only one segment to make an impact during the meeting called by ward councillors Jennifer Kinneman and Mark Littell to hear the plans of Sifton Properties Ltd., Grandview Ravines and Sam Rizzo Estate to build associated subdivisions that would accommodate close to 2,000 people. The area has been designated residential for years in the city's official plan. But the developers are applying for amendments to squeeze more housing into a smaller area. That's because the land available for development was reduced after significant tracts were set aside for environmental protection. In a succession of presentations, representatives for each of the developers took pains to show how their plans would respect, or even enhance, environmental significant lands, and how attractive their proposed housing would be. "We know we have more work to do, and we look forward to working with you," Karl Gonnson, representing Grandview, told the crowd. Jerry Klievik, spokesman for the newly formed Hardy Road Area Citizens Committee, showed a computer presentation detailing traffic problems -including near collisions -- along a road that he said is already overburdened. He said residents want any development to be consistent with the character of homes and estates that are already there, and a transportation plan drawn up for the area before the approval process goes forward. "Let's plan well before we build." New Democrat federal election candidate Brian Van Tilborg, who once lived in the area, skipped an all-candidates debate in St. George to show support for his former neighbours. He urged them to stand up to developers' plans that will drastically change the area. Bill Merritt, who lives on Cherry Hill Lane, said he is concerned about the future of the quiet area that he chose for his retirement. "I don't want another Caledonia in my backyard," he said. Kinneman told the crowd that she also has several concerns about the proposals, but added "I won't make any decisions until I have reviewed everything." Littell acknowledged in an interview that many concerns raised at the meeting need further consideration. "The developers need to go back and look again at what they want to do,' he said. The developers are taking their plans back to refine them and complete transportation and archeological studies.

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NDP candidate opposes development for Hardy Road area Posted By JOHN PAUL ZRONIK, EXPOSITOR STAFF Posted 1 day ago Tensions between the city and Six Nations will rise if Brantford moves ahead with a "massive" development planned for the Hardy Road area, NDP federal election candidate Brian Van Tilborg said Tuesday.

"I don't want to see more salt put in the wounds of Six Nations," Van Tilborg said. "I don't want to see any other problems develop. "If we see a shovel go into the Hardy Road area, it's going to be worse."