Citizen’s group loses second appeal to preserve Lily Creek area
A $12 million seven-story medical office building had its approval by the City of Greater Sudbury backed by the Ontario Municipal Board (OMB) after a community group, Citizens for the Preservation of the Nephawin/Lily Creek Wetlands, argued against the city's decision.
In August, the OMB also backed up the city's approval for a new elementary school on an adjacent property on Centennial Dr. The group is trying to get the Superior Court in late November to allow them a further appeal.
“We are preparing a response to the recent OMB decision regarding the medical complex but have no comment at this time,” said Paula Worton, spokesperson for the group at press time.
The Sudbury developer, Ed Masotti, argued that his project does meet community needs and is consistent with the city's official plan and zoning by-laws.
The project will develop an office on the site formerly owned by All Nations Church, targetted mostly for medical professionals for institutional uses, offices, a scientific and medical laboratory, a medical-related retail store, and a community-sized pharmacy.
“There have been no major private sector office developments since the early 1990s, the project responds to market needs for executive office accommodation in the South End area and is consistent with the city's economic diversification plan to encourage private developers like myself,” stated Masotti.
He said the original site plan was altered to decrease the number of parking spots, thereby adapting the site to suit the existing creek bed, creating a minimum 75-foot buffer along Nephawin Creek.
“Of four acres, 1.5 will be green space and I will even pay for trail development and park benches,” he said.
Masotti said he will be going after the citizen’s group to recover his costs from the OMB hearing.
“I had to hire consultants to provide expert testimony in my defense. That cost me approximately $91,000. The citizens group did not so that's why the OMB chair encouraged me to recover my costs,” said Masotti.
The building is expected to be finished in early 2009.
