Automated Speed Systems
Belleville council has wholeheartedly supported a proposal to allow Automated Speed Enforcement systems to be placed wherever community leaders believe they’re needed.
The systems use cameras with radar to catch drivers going over the speed limit with tickets being issued afterward.
Currently they are only permitted in Community Safety Zones.
Monday, council approved a resolution from the City of Cambridge asking that the province allow Automated Speed Enforcement systems to be located anywhere speeding is a concern.
Several councillors noted the number of complaints being received about speeders in various parts of the city.
Housing Starts
A Belleville councillor well known in recent months for his criticism of local home builders for not building more homes had some praise for one developer Monday.
Councillor Paul Carr was glad to see council approve an application for a model home agreement with Potters Creek Developments headed up by builder Adrian Bax.
The agreement would allow construction of 47 model homes and a seven-unit model townhouse block immediately while waiting for the formal approval of a subdivision agreement which is expected to be a formality.
Carr said it was good to see a builder putting shovels in the ground as quickly as possible but noted that although high interest rates were playing a role in a slower housing market, more supply could lower prices and cause sales to increase again urging builders to build more homes faster.
He noted that 17 building permits being issued for new residential units in May was an improvement over previous months this year but it is nowhere near the 68 permits taken out in May of last year.
In a related decision, council approved the hiring of a second permit clerk with an eye to speeding up the building permit process for builders.
