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Nov 12,2006 - Nov 19,2006 |
Infill development has residents buzzing in Ward 8
We've done everything community council expected us to do: Li Preti
With only a week to go before the election, the gloves are off in the fight for a council seat in York West (Ward 8). Incumbent Councillor Peter Li Preti is accusing his challenger of misleading the public about a controversial new development.
Although a relatively small parcel of land (formerly known as the Bonanza Plaza), residents were outraged when developers put forth a plan in 2005 that would eliminate all existing retail space and replace it with residential units. Li Preti claims that along with local community groups, he helped amend the plan to include a 6,200 square foot supermarket. But Li Preti's main challenger in the municipal election, Anthony Perruzza insists the retail space allotted is comparable to that of a convenience store, and residents weren't properly consulted.
Naturally, Councillor Li Preti disagrees, insisting any new residences will be built only after the supermarket has been completed first, and that fewer habitats will be erected than original planned.
It's the latest dispute to arise between the two, who are squaring off against each other for the third straight municipal election. Perruzza, formerly the area's councillor from 1988 to 1990 (before being elected to Queen's Park as an NDP candidate) is accusing his opponent of turning his back on constituents and supporting the developers' application. Li Preti claims Perruzza is misinformed about the development (which was approved by the OMB and not city hall) and attempting to confuse voters about what will be built at the intersection of Sentinel and Hucknall roads.
A supermarket used to be there, but was torn down about three years ago and the lot has remained empty ever since as community groups, city hall and developers debated proposed developments. Seniors in the area have long complained about a lack of retail options in the neighbourhood, which is why Li Preti says he insisted a new supermarket be built first.
"I negotiated what the community wanted. We've done everything community council wanted us and expected us to do," said Li Preti, who has given his consent to the new plans, although the developers ultimately bypassed city hall and opted for approval from the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB).
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