“Buying this land was always about guaranteeing access for residents to 45 acres of prime waterfront lands on the beautiful Bay of Quinte that would be naturalized for future generations. The decision by council means that the land will stay as private property and Belleville residents won’t be able to use it.”
The actual purchased land involved only eight acres but at the same time last year, council approved accepting a donation of two wetlands, one on each side of the Dundas Street East property.
Council reversed both decisions Monday noting that all the land would be protected anyway and it was a waste of money for the city to acquire any of it.
“A mayor and councillors who three months ago, they supported a popular project in order to get elected and now are doing the opposite of what they promised. You know, the city not honouring this deal means that we’re gonna see unnecessary lawsuits and the loss of a recreation environmental jewel. History will not judge this kindly.”
Belleville CAO Rod Bovay tells Quinte News that although there is always a risk of lawsuits with any commercial transaction, as a municipality, nothing is final until authorized through a by-law passed by council and that in this case council chose not to authorize the purchase of the lands.
Panciuk says 50 years from now, people will look back and say what was council thinking when they decided against buying the land that could have made a beautiful park for the city.
