Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis has broken his promise to not use Strong Mayor powers but everyone else on council wholeheartedly supports his move.
At Monday’s meeting, Ellis said he’d use Strong Mayor powers to quickly rezone the former Banquet Hall property to allow for medical offices.
The building is to be used as a warming and dining area featuring various health care services for the homeless and is to be known as “The Bridge.”
Ellis said the usual rezoning process would make approvals from CN Rail necessary and their approval could take a year or more to receive.
“Even to hold it up a month now is too long. They have gone through architect plans that they have now and they’re working through that process and it’s time to get this in gear.”
Councillor Lisa Anne Chatten summed up every other councillor’s opinion on using Strong Mayor powers saying, “The homeless situation is a crisis and it’s imperative we get this facility going as soon as possible.”
The rezoning could come to council for final approval as soon as next month.
Earlier Monday the city formally asked the provincial government to provide $2 million toward getting The Bridge up and running.
