A notice of motion has been brought forward calling on staff with the City of Belleville to put together a report looking at the feasibility of acquiring land in the Bell Creek watershed from Hanley Park Developments.
The notice of motion was brought forward by councillor Kelly Henderson at Belleville City Council’s meeting on Monday.
Back in May, the City of Belleville’s Planning Committee received significant public input from local residents about a proposed development called “Hanley Park North”.
Some of the main concerns raised during public input included the environmental protection of the Bell Creek natural heritage system as well as concern about the developer’s environmental study, saying that it used an outdated standard and alleging it failed to prove there will be no negative impact, as required under provincial policy.
Hanley Park North would have featured 103 residential units consisting of 74 single-family dwellings and 29 townhouses along with parks and walkways.
“We would like options to include the idea of a land swap, land trust, as well as any other potential funding models,” Councillor Henderson said introducing the motion on Monday.
“We would appreciate this report, if possible, (be brought back) by the July 27 or August 10 meeting.”
Councillor Barbara Enright-Miller seconded bringing forward the motion.
“Just to add to that, we also have information that we would provide to staff about other municipalities that have encountered such a thing, and the roads they have gone down to do a land trust or swap. So happy to provide that to staff.” Councillor Enright-Miller said.
The motion will be discussed at a future council meeting.
