‘This city has not encouraged waterfront development’: mayor

C.H. Clement Construction of Hawkesbury, Ont. presented a condo concept plan on Thursday, June 22, 2017 at the Planning Advisory Committee meeting. The PAC heard the proposal but took no action. (Newswatch Group/Bill Kingston)

CORNWALL – The city’s mayor is setting the record straight on the waterfront, saying public comments are “out of whack” with the facts.

During an address toward the end of last night’s (July 10) council meeting, Mayor Leslie O’Shaughnessy says the full city council has “never met behind closed doors or in private” with Hawkesbury developer C.H. Clement about a proposed condo project around Marina 200.

“My office, in one (news) article, had indicated had that I had met with Mr. Clement. I have never met Mr. Clement,” the mayor said.

He also says reports he is the third mayor to promote waterfront development are “completely untrue”.

O’Shaughnessy added he has never met with the local baseball association or the Cornwall Royal Canadian Legion in regards to waterfront development.

The mayor adds the presentation from C.H. Clement Construction was made at a Planning Advisory Committee meeting and committee members voted to receive the report.

“I moved the motion to further include ‘with no further action’,” he stated.

“All of the things that would ever happen on our waterfront will require complete public process,” O’Shaughnessy emphasized.

“This city has not encouraged waterfront development,” the mayor concluded.

On Thursday, June 22, 2017, C.H. Clement Construction presented a $25 million condo concept plan to built 108 “luxury” units around Marina 200.