Sudbury developer frustrated by delays at city hall

After three hours of debate and discussion, the decision on a contentious waterfront development projectin Sudbury was put off bycity councillors Monday night.

On the table was a 171-unit complex, with 56 homes and three condo buildings holding 115 units, to be built on bushland off Keast Drive, on the shores of Ramsey Lake.

Ward 12 citycouncillorJoscelyneLandry-Altmannpushed for the vote to be put off for another day, saying the proposal was "incomplete."

It was a narrow vote, with Landry-Altmann, Deb McIntosh and Fern Cormier voting to put off the decision until the July 6 meeting, while councillors Lynne Reynolds and Evelyn Dutrisacwanted to settle it Monday night.

"I'm not against development, but I'm very worried about the drinking water," saidDutrisac.

Developer Norm Eady said he was frustrated after five years of working with city planners on the development and altering his plans several times.

"We've given, given and given. We're trying to make this work for everybody," he said.

Eady drew some gasps and groans from the crowd when he noted that most of his neighbours on Keast Drive "aren't here tonight because they support me,"

He said if council turned him down or deferred the decision toanother meeting, he would appeal to the Ontario Municipal Board, which has the power to overrule city council and scrap all the conditions negotiated by city staff and the developer.

"We've made major, major changes since the last time we were before council," saidEady. "I can't afford to wait any longer."

Several Sudburians urged the committee to wait for the Ramsey Lake watershed study the city has commissioned before voting on this proposal.

"If the study comes back and it says 'you shouldn't have done that' then what?" asked Andre Clement.

West end resident Patricia Rogerson told the committee she doesn't live on Ramsey "but I do drink the water from it."

She said just because "dumb" decisions were made in the past regarding Sudbury's lakes, doesn't mean new development should be given the green light.

"We're looking at a lake now that is under stress," Rogerson said.

The city planners were recommending the plan be approved, with a shorter condo building, 147 units instead of 171 and a list of 50 conditions, many of them dealing with protections for water quality.