Parkland sale at issue

Posted By COURTNEY WHALEN, THE PACKET AND TIMES

Posted 2 months ago

Asking the public if the city should sell parkland for development is a "loaded" question says Coun. Michael Fogarty.

On Monday night, Fogarty wanted council's support to hold a series of public meetings on a proposed development that would require the purchase of 1.83 acres of municipally owned open space on the former Co-op lands.

"Public input is going to be vital in this process," he said. "I would suggest we have an educated discussion with the

public."

But Coun. Tim Lauer didn't think there could be much of a public conversation yet.

"The details are so vague, I don't know how we'd be able to discuss the merits of this project at this point," Lauer said.

The public could be asked whether they support selling parkland for development, Lauer said.

That idea had the support of Mayor Ron Stevens and Coun. Joe Fecht.

"In terms of the citizens of Orillia and council, I think the key question is should you sell parkland," Fecht said.

Fogarty disagreed.

"Rather than asking loaded questions like selling parkland for development -- you already know how that's going to turn out -- let's look at this specific project's merits."

In an attempt to address Lauer's timing concerns, Fogarty put forward an amendment that meetings would be held at the conclusion of the official plan process and once a detailed proposal was put forward by developer Al Langman.

However, he didn't get enough support to get the motion to council for ratification next week.

The discussion was sparked by a staff report asking for council direction on a request for purchase of 139 Tecumseth St.

Developer Al Langman is proposing the construction of a condominium/ hotel/conference centre that requires the purchase of the municipal land as well as private property on Laclie and Tecumseth streets.

However, in a letter to council, the project's solicitor, Paul Peterson, said his clients would like to see the official plan process completed before any negotiations take place.

Stevens remained concerned that council had directed consultants to include the property in the core intensification designation after previously approving recommendations from the parks and recreation department to go ahead with plans involving that parcel as parkland/open space.

"This, in my view, has left this wide open with no closure," he said.

In the end, councillors decided to simply receive staff's report as informational.

Because Fogarty's motion was lost at council committee, the issue can be brought forward again without a vote of reconsideration from council.

cwhalen@orilliapacket.com