Phil
@philmarfisi.bsky.social
Sidewalk enthusiast. Other interests: public policy, housing, urbanism, Waterloo Region, Ontario politics, #cdnpoli, Star Trek, music, news media, international relations, and the Oxford comma. Democracy is good, actually.
That type of square footage sounds like a sweet spot for a 1BR and people who don't want a ton of space - large enough for some breathing room, manageable enough to maintain and clean for one person
November 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
That type of square footage sounds like a sweet spot for a 1BR and people who don't want a ton of space - large enough for some breathing room, manageable enough to maintain and clean for one person
I haven't used Lego since I was a child but this would be tempting if it wasn't FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS
November 28, 2025 at 4:03 PM
I haven't used Lego since I was a child but this would be tempting if it wasn't FIVE HUNDRED DOLLARS
Apologies for QT over a reply - wanted to expand on some thoughts about this more broadly!
November 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Apologies for QT over a reply - wanted to expand on some thoughts about this more broadly!
The way we currently shape highrises or even midrises doesn't make it easy for independent businesses to slot in, whether due to high rents or commercial unit footprints that are too large. Something to think about if we want to do this right.
November 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
The way we currently shape highrises or even midrises doesn't make it easy for independent businesses to slot in, whether due to high rents or commercial unit footprints that are too large. Something to think about if we want to do this right.
That doesn't mean we shouldn't have mixed-use density in them. I just think that if we are consistent with the concerns that people often have about the disappearance of independent biz in urban cores, it would be ignorant to say that doesn't exist in suburban areas.
November 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
That doesn't mean we shouldn't have mixed-use density in them. I just think that if we are consistent with the concerns that people often have about the disappearance of independent biz in urban cores, it would be ignorant to say that doesn't exist in suburban areas.
100% serious about the small business piece. This may not be the case in relatively newer suburbs, but I'm thinking of places like Scarborough (or closer to home, Kitchener), where strip malls often have mom and pop places that are significant to a wide array of different cultural communities.
November 27, 2025 at 4:00 PM
100% serious about the small business piece. This may not be the case in relatively newer suburbs, but I'm thinking of places like Scarborough (or closer to home, Kitchener), where strip malls often have mom and pop places that are significant to a wide array of different cultural communities.
I've always wondered if there's an even more realistic benchmark than 30% of income? I know that having a commonly accepted definition, and one that's easy to calculate, is probably more important than anything else, but what people can afford with 30% of *after-tax* income is a lot different!
November 27, 2025 at 3:49 PM
I've always wondered if there's an even more realistic benchmark than 30% of income? I know that having a commonly accepted definition, and one that's easy to calculate, is probably more important than anything else, but what people can afford with 30% of *after-tax* income is a lot different!
It honestly wouldn't be that much worse than Erb or Bridgeport in Waterloo if it wasn't expected to do so much (bus only lanes, huge GO bus corridor, turning lanes) on such bad infrastructure, I think?
November 27, 2025 at 4:49 AM
It honestly wouldn't be that much worse than Erb or Bridgeport in Waterloo if it wasn't expected to do so much (bus only lanes, huge GO bus corridor, turning lanes) on such bad infrastructure, I think?
Is this a Northdale type situation? (the best examples in the city of how midrise can incorporate retail are there IMHO)
November 27, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Is this a Northdale type situation? (the best examples in the city of how midrise can incorporate retail are there IMHO)
Main Street: chaotic evil
York: lawful good (with potholes)
York: lawful good (with potholes)
November 27, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Main Street: chaotic evil
York: lawful good (with potholes)
York: lawful good (with potholes)