ESSEX, Ont. — The town has delayed approving an $11.3-million plan to redevelop the Colchester harbour area after some councillors developed sticker shock.
The ambitious plan to remake the area into a prime tourist enclave scared some councillors with its price tag.
Despite being a proponent of the master plan, Coun. Bill Baker supported the delay.
“There is no reason this council should be split about moving forward with a good plan,” he said. “Let’s not lose this plan. It’s about moving forward. I want to keep this alive.”
Some councillors raised concerns that the plan was too expensive and that the Essex Region Conservation Authority would never approve a floating pool.
“We are not a rich community,” Deputy Mayor Richard Meloche said. “I’m not saying we should walk away. I think we should narrow it down to what we want to accomplish. I don’t think we’ll see all three phases happen.”
The master plan outlines three phases of development over six years. Phase 1 calls for the paving of shoulders on County Road 50, construction of a peace garden, a pavilion at Jackson Park, changing the road configuration for the marina and more signage.
Most of those items have already been approved by the town although not fully funded.
Phase 2 details changing streetscape for Jackson Street to convert it to a large green space on the west side and commercial properties on the east side. The breakwall reconfiguration is also in this phase.
The third phase describes building two roundabouts on County Road 50 for $1 million and constructing parking on a lower section of the marina property.
The plan also has a floating pool for $300,000 and a floating dock for $900,000.
The lower level of parking, pool and floating dock were contentious proposals.
Resident Carol Quick mocked the cost of a floating pool.
“I’m an aqua fit instructor,” she said. “Trust me, no one wants a pool in our area more than I do. But for a pool to be open eight weeks a year is a joke. We want one yearround.”
Residents of Sullivan Street, which sits on the cliffs north of the marina, complained the parking lot, rehabilitated wetlands and floating dock restricted access to Lake Erie.
Resident Lynn Quick applauded the removal of the parking at the beach level but then asked where people would park.
Resident Steven McPhedran echoed the same concerns and asked to be consulted when council formalizes the plan.
McPhedran said if the plan goes ahead as designed he would still have his beach but no water because the floating dock almost reaches the shore at his property. He said he has a paddle boat and would like to kayak on Lake Erie but he’d have to portage his boat to reach the water.
“What they are doing to us I don’t like,” he said.
Coun. Sherry Bondy said she loved parts of the plan but was concerned with a part of the master plan that converts the use of the upper level parking lot to a five-star hotel.
“That’s a hotel on public property,” she said. “We have a plan but it needs major tweaking.”
mwolfson@windsorstar.com or 519-255-5709 or Twitter. com/WinStarMonica
Source: blogs.windsorstar.com
Sussex business chief's shock exit stuns bosses (From The Argus) - The Argus.co.uk
Sussex business chief's shock exit stuns bosses
4:30pm Tuesday 22nd May 2012 in News By Bill Gardner
Business leaders have reacted with shock after Sussex’s chamber of commerce announced the departure of its chief executive.
Sussex Enterprise last night announced that after an “extensive review of all operations”, boss Mark Froud would be “moving on to new challenges”.
Trevor Freeman, chairman of Brighton’s Federation of Small Businesses, said he was “very surprised” by the news.
He said: “I personally thought that Mark did a really good job. He was excellent at what he did.
“We had noticed that he had stopped coming down to the local economic partnership meetings so we were wondering what was going on.
“But you always knew where you were with Mark and it’s certainly a shame that he’s gone.”
Mr Froud led Sussex Enterprise for almost ten years after first joining in 1996 as director of economic research.
In 2001 he became director of policy responsible for planning and media relations before becoming chief executive in 2002.
When the coalition government scrapped regional development agencies, Sussex Enterprise lost a contract to deliver advisory services and a large chunk of its income.
Mr Froud caused controversy in February when he said residents and businesses in East Sussex had “lower aspirations” than those in West Sussex.
Peter Jones, chairman of East Sussex County Council, said he had disagreed with Mr Froud on many occasions but was sad to see him go. He said: “When he said what he said about East Sussex we had a face-to-face conversation and sorted it out. That’s the way it was with Mark. He has put a lot of effort into his work so I’m surprised that he has gone.
“But I would say that in Sussex we are seeing a resurgence of local chambers of commerce so I think Sussex Enterprise now has to find a real role for itself.”
A Sussex Enterprise spokeswoman said: “Sussex Enterprise has over the last few months undertaken an extensive review of all operations and concluded that major changes are needed to re-emphasise and expand our core membership services.
“In today’s difficult trading conditions companies of all sizes need the opportunities to come together regularly and share information, learn from each other and find new ways to improve their businesses.
“Mark Froud who led the organisation for many years will be moving on to new challenges and we all wish him well.”
Comments(5)
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Source: www.theargus.co.uk
Sussex Police plans to scrap compulsory retirement policy - The Independent
Chelsea Flower Show 2012: The winners
Of course, gold is the top honour, but that shouldn't detract from the other medals. If someone wins...
Source: www.independent.co.uk
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