In a recent post I noted that recommendations to develop the AVTC were made by contractors who will eventually benefit in a significant way from its construction. Sadly, this is by no means unusual in the city of Ottawa; note the ongoing controversy surrounding the Westboro convent site and current plans to build a new access road across Byron Park.
In today’s Ottawa Citizen, letter writer Heather Mitchell notes that Councillor Catherine Hobbs originally supported the developer’s proposal to build this road but is now backing away from the recommendation because of the public outcry. However the city is not asking the developer to make changes and Hobbs, along with a majority of Planning Committee, continues to support the developer’s overall plans for this site despite continuing strong concerns expressed by the community.
The closing sentence of Mitchell’s letter says it best: “Why are the developers the force in our neighbourhood, rather than the people who live here and the council who is supposed to lead and protect us?” Amen to that!
Monday, May 23, 2011
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