Bennett vows to help developers build homes
Mayor says he doesn’t want to stand in the way of home construction
Mayor Daryl Bennett said that if re-elected, he’ll help developers build housing in Peterborough — not stand in their way.
Bennett made his latest policy announcement Wednesday morning at a construction site on Lansdowne St. W., behind the Super 8 Motel.
That’s where developer Murray Davenport is putting up a series of three new buildings that are expected to yield a total of 171 apartments.
The first building is under construction; it’s expected to be ready for occupancy in a year. Bennett said Davenport is investing $10 million on the first building alone.
The mayor told a group of supporters and developers at the site that city council must make it easier for investors like Davenport to build.
“Instead of blocking development, we need to work with home builders while protecting the interest of the overall community — yes, the overall community,” he said.
When developers come to City Hall with proposals that meet all requirements, he said, “I am 100 per cent behind them.”
Bennett didn’t mention in his speech exactly who’s been “blocking” development, but he did say that the Lily Lake subdivision, which is expected to have 1,744 new homes, wasn’t unanimously approved by city council a year ago.
Although he didn’t say so, it was a 6-3 vote with Coun. Diane Therrien — Bennett’s sole opponent in the race for mayor — as one of the objectors.
“Despite some people’s attempts to block it, the first homes (in the Lily Lake subdivision) should be built next year,” Bennett said in his remarks Wednesday.
In an interview later Wednesday, Therrien said she was concerned about approving a subdivision of single-family homes. Townhouses and apartments were later added to the plan.
She also had concerns about how the traffic will flow in and out of the subdivision, and whether it includes “the amenities of a complete community” — schools, corner stores, sidewalks
and trails, for instance.
Therrien said she’s not against growth.
“I’m for good development,” she said, meaning “a variety of housing types ... and innovative, accessible and affordable housing.”
Meanwhile the federal government has a $13.2-billion fund, through the National Housing Strategy, to help build and renovate affordable housing.
When asked in a media scrum whether the city has applied for any of this money, Bennett didn’t say yes or no.
The city’s “been in discussions with our federal masters” who “won’t make any true commitments” until after the next federal election a year from now, he said.
Plus, he said he fundamentally disagrees with the idea of overtaxing all to try to house a few.
“We are not in the wealth redistribution business,” Bennett said. “When you add more cost to the property taxes, you put a burden on those you are trying to help.”
But Therrien pointed out in her interview that it costs more to keep people in emergency shelters than it does to keep them housed.
“It’s a matter of priorities,” she said.
There’s a debate for the two mayoral candidates at The Venue on George St. on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m.
The municipal election is Oct. 22. Internet voting starts Tuesday. Advance polls are Oct. 12.
Upcoming municipal candidate debates
• Tuesday, Oct. 9: 6 p.m., This Week’s Electionfest, a chance for candidates to meet the voters one-on-one. Evinrude Centre on Monaghan Rd.
• Wednesday, Oct. 10: 7 p.m., Live TV debate on YourTV.
• Tuesday, Oct. 16: 7 p.m. at the Market Hall, debate on arts and culture, organized by EC3.