The first meeting in a process that could trigger changes to a downtown revitalization plan will take place Monday.
City council has scheduled a morning “workshop” to discuss the CD-21 zone proposal that would allow for a dozen new highrises between Harvey Avenue and Queensway, west of Water Street.
Mayor Sharon Shepherd said Wednesday she expected the Monday meeting might be the first of at least two that council will want to have to discuss the revitalization plan.
“This really is the first chance to hear from some of the councillors on what their specific concerns are with the plan,” Shepherd said.
The public can attend the two-hour Monday morning session, which will likely be held in the main City Hall chambers, but people will not be allowed to comment.
Council voted 6-3 on Feb. 22 to rescind the previously granted second and third readings for the plan, the origins of which date back almost three years.
In exchange for being allowed to construct much taller buildings than are currently allowed, developers would pay millions of dollars to the city.
That money would be used to fund a variety of new public amenities, such as a pier, pedestrian-only plaza around The Sails and other open spaces downtown.
Councillors elected since October 2008, when the plan was given third reading, had said they were frustrated at not being able to discuss the proposal publicly or ask staff questions about it.
By rescinding second and third readings, those restrictions have been lifted, and councillors are free to speak their mind and suggest possible changes to the plan‘s overall design. How much the plan might actually end up changing, however, is an open question.
Coun. Robert Hobson, who voted to rescind the earlier approvals, has said the only aspect of it he doesn‘t endorse is the proposal for a hotel next to Kerry Park.
A criticism of the proposed hotel was also the only comment offered by Coun. Kevin Craig at the Feb. 22 meeting. Coun. Andre Blanleil, who supports the plan, tried at that meeting to introduce a motion to drop the hotel.
Blanleil will likely do so again on Monday, in a bid to win Hobson‘s and Craig‘s support. Councillors Luke Stack and Graeme James have said they favour the plan as is, and voted against rescinding second and third readings. Top of Page
