Building anger Delegations blast council over Building
In Nancy Oakley’s first−ever presentation to city council, she delivered a scathing critique of City Hall’s handling of the Lansdowne Park redevelopment.
Oakley, who’s completing her master’s degree in heritage conservation at Carleton University, said the future of the Horticulture Building compelled her to take a day off work Friday and appear as a delegation during a special council meeting. “We’ve been hearing more and more about what’s happening with heritage,” Oakley said after her presentation, during which she slammed the project as a “land grab by a group of developers.”
Oakley, 24, was al so unhappy with council’s treatment of the process.
At one point during the delegations, not enough councillors were in their seats, breaking quorum rules, and they had to take a short break.
“It’s almost a belligerent tone to what the public has to say,” Oakley said outside chambers.
Another resident, Bruce Rosove, shouted “Hey!” when he thought some councillors weren’t paying attention to his presentation.
Most of the roughly three dozen delegations spoke in opposition to the proposed site plan and some residents asked council to leave the decision for the next council taking office Dec. 1.
“Leave this one to the new folks,” John Crump said.
“Let them make the decisions they will have to live with,” Teena Hendelman added.
Gordon Bunke of the Ottawa Rough Riders Alumni Association encouraged the current council to forge ahead with the approvals.
While some delegations bemoaned the behaviour of council, Bunke noted “how rude the audience is.”
“Walk tall, council. Walk tall,” Bunke said.
Capital Coun. Clive Doucet warned council that he will table a motion Monday asking to defer the site plan decision for the new council. Building anger Delegations blast council over Lansdowne 108
However, there is a good chance the next council will vote in favour of the redevelopment with a larger number supporting the project.
This will be the last major vote for some time on the complete Lansdowne redevelopment. The final site plan will only need staff approval, unless there are major changes requiring council’s blessing.
The city is partnering with the Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group to redevelop Lansdowne with a renovated Frank Clair Stadium, new urban park, stores, residences and offices. A farmers’ market and new home for the Ottawa Art Gallery are also in the plan.
Council will meet again Monday to debate and likely vote on the site plan.
Source: Ottawa Sun