Sidney councillors consider extra public notification of a development project in town a “dangerous precedent” and are sticking with their existing public process.
During recent debate over a residential project at 9600 Second Street, Coun. Erin Bremner-Mitchell suggested the proponent’s plan not only go to the Town’s own Advisory Planning Commission for review, but also be part of a notification to surrounding neighbours.
Bremner-Mitchell said those residents had been a part of the public process when the project was first proposed and felt including them would be good for public awareness.
The redevelopment site wants underground parking the Town thinks could be flooded. It’s original plans have been changed and an engineering firm has been hired to determine the flood risk at the site. Chief Administrative Officer Randy Humble said the extra public notification “could create the expectation by the public of having input.”
Mayor Steve Price called the idea a dangerous precedent and that council should stick with existing policies. The revised proposal was sent to the APC with no extra neighbour notification.