Read 'em and weep - the selling of Thesen Islands

Unless you feel you are missing out on the AirBnB boom - about 25%  of the homes are already there - and want to add a rental unit on top of your granny flat - you won't like the new self appointed role of the DRP, as stated in the Chairman's Report where it says, referring to the gutting of the Guidelines that: 

“the real aim (for the changes) was to provide the stimulation for improvements“

They're not only allowing us, but stimulating us to supersize our homes! 

Who would have thought that only a short time ago the role of the Design Review Panel was to see the plans submitted were within accordance with the Design Guidelines?

No, big fella or big sister,  you thought you bought on Thesen Islands for peace and quiet.  And good security. Wrong! 

Your role is to boost the businesses of architects, interior decorators, kitchen installers, builders and allied trades by adding on to your house. Or even knocking it down and rebuilding it if you like a lot of "stimulation" in your life. While you suffer from the increased congestion with trucks, as well as noise, dust and more workers,  less safety for your kids on bikes on our narrow roads and less security due to the increased number of workers, just think you are doing your part in making other people richer.

Because "stimulation" here is really another way of saying  "Spend money on alterations  you didn't think you needed, to make the sellers happy"
      
Next the HOA will be giving a sweet shop franchise at Red Square to "stimulate the local economy" by taking the excessive pocket money off the kids.  Only trustees are eligible to operate this opportunity, of course. 

I am not sure if it is true but I heard that the local estate agents were pushing for a stimulation package of their own. They proposed a draw with every stand number put in a bag. The owners of the first 10 stand numbers pulled out would have been forced to sell their houses within a year at price and commission set by the agents.  This was narrowly defeated as  the estate agents didn't have the clout to swing it. This time around, at least. But having been inspired by the way the Design Review Panel has reinvented itself as a business "stimulator", they are apparently forming a Panel of their own. Something else to keep a close eye on. A warning sign will be estate agents running for trustee positions at the next AGM.