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Councillors, you can change your vote on Parliament Oak.
To those who voted yes at the committee of the whole, please know you do not have to vote yes on June 25 when the matter comes before council. You can exercise your right of sober second thought as our senators in parliament do. Councillors on past councils have decided to vote differently than they did at the committee of the whole, you can too.
You have a second chance and can decide not to agree to the proposed development.
Why should you vote no to the proposal:
1. A number of developers have appeared before council accompanied by a lovely artistic rendering promising one thing, only to actually build something substantially different. What is your recourse if a five-star hotel doesn’t materialize but a Motel 6 does — no recourse.
2. You have already been advised by a mining engineer that underground water problems may result in only surface parking forcing a substantial redesign.
3. It contravenes the Official Plan. Why adhere to the Official Plan in Glendale but not in Old Town?
A yes vote is irreversible. There will be nothing you can do after that. You have granted zoning approval and you and the town have will have no recourse for any unfulfilled promises.
Stick with the Official Plan and say no.
Stuart Mccormack
Former Niagara-on-the-Lake councillor
