Many people seem to feel that whenever a developer decides to re-develop property, their proposal is automatically approved with little or no change by local government or concern for the local population.

This in NOT always the case! More and more decisions from the Ontario Municipal Board are rejecting re-development plans:

see: Condo-tower ruling sends 'strong message'
Toronto Star (August 19, 2008) by Phinjo Gombu, Urban Affairs Reporter

Quoting this article:
• "If a developer is hoping to parachute in unreasonable heights or densities into an established community, this decision will send a strong message that it is not going to happen"
• "The decision doesn't mean that all tall buildings are out, it just means that they have to be and should be located near the so-called growth centres, areas that have been set aside by planners - usually along major arterial roads and city centres and transit hubs - for growth"

In our case, with respect to the Bridlewood Mall Application, the proposed "tall buildings" and high density are not on any "arterial road, city centre or transit hub".