The city is treating some developers differently a waterfront opponent says.
Heather Woodbeck, who was originally denied a deputation before city council voted in favour of hearing her Monday night, said the city is helping private development on the waterfront far more than it does for other developments in the city.
Woodbeck said developments like a proposed Marriott hotel near the Superstore aren’t getting the same benefits that the several groups developing the waterfront are.
The developer is 1778691 Ontario Inc, which is owned by Laureate Developments Ltd., Resolve Group Inc., Double A Ventures Ltd. And Lombard North Group Ltd.
“We’ve paid for everything there. Why is there such a difference in the way we’re treating these developers?” she asked.
The deputation came before city council agreed to build a 90-space parking lot for the hotel development, which will be paid back through a lease
City development manager Mark Smith said the development is on city land, unlike other private developments so there are more things the city needs to do to get the land ready.
There has been no special treatment he said and where leases are concerned, the same formula has been used to determine costs as in any other agreement with city land.
“The developer is paying us that cost back,” Smith said. “We’re not giving anything to the developer.”
