updated: Belleville Mayor Mitch Panciuk says Feeney has been released from hospital, and is resting at home.
What was supposed to be a busy Belleville Council meeting on Monday afternoon was cut short after one of the councillors suffered a medical incident.
Mayor Mitch Panciuk says Councillor Carol Feeney had to be taken to hospital by Hastings-Quinte EMS, near the end of the in-camera session, leading council to decide to quickly pass any time-sensitive motions and follow up with the rest of the agenda in September.
“It was unexpected and I think we handled it appropriately by pushing everything off until later on, so we can all be here. I think council is a little rattled as well. These types of things, when they happen at a person’s workplace, it’s difficult and we care about each other. We hope that she’s better and will be in a better frame of mind to discuss about issues.”
No details on the incident were provided publicly, in the interest of Councillor Feeney’s privacy, but we’ll update the story as more information is available.
Among the items that were approved on Monday, was the rezoning for the southern portion of the former Ben Bleecker property.
Council gave its OK to the plan and also agreed to remove the “holding symbol” on the land.
Mayor Panciuk says even though the “hold” was removed, the developer will still have to meet a number of conditions before moving ahead with the project.
“All of those items that were identified will be picked up at the site plan approval process and the building permit process. Everything from demonstrating that the environmental assessment identified the property is able to be used for this purpose, the landscaping plans, all those items will be covered. So we give residents that assurance.”
The approval clears the way for the next steps to develop a grocery store and separate commercial building on the property, which is also planned to have a significant residential development on the northern portion.
Council also approved a number of planning recommendations during its shortened meeting on Monday.
Included in that was an approval to hire Fotenn Planing and Design to conduct a study on the Bell Boulevard/North Front Street Corridor, at a cost of $336,194.
Mayor Panciuk says the study will look at the work that is required to further develop that key commercial area of the city.
“We’re going to be talking about what kind of businesses we want along that commercial corridor route and being able to have that as part of our official plan. That way it’s nice and easy for people if they want to open a car dealership, for example, or a retail store, that they can do so.”
Panciuk says any projects that have already been approved for those areas still stand, they’re just trying to further the understanding of where that area’s development fits in the overall plan for the city.
Council also approved the Belleville Chamber of Commerce plan to host a pop-up midway at West Zwick’s from Friday August 20 to Sunday August 29.
The Chamber says the midway will be open as follows from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. August 20, 21 & 22 (Friday – Sunday)
August 23 – 24: Closed (Monday & Tuesday)
August 25 – 28 (Wednesday – Saturday)
August 29: closing time TBD (open @ 1 p.m.)
While advance ticket sales are still not possible with the capacity restrictions in place, World’s Finest is offering a bracelet package valid from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday (August 25, 26 & 27) at the 2019 rate of $25 and can be purchased upon arrival. In fact, all pricing has been held at 2019 rates.
Items that were pushed to the September 13 meeting include discussion on the public input surrounding a proposal to expand Belleville’s ward boundaries, a report to install signs with information on various social services around the city, a handful of recommendations from the city’s Transportation committee and others.
