By Jon Willing, Ottawa Citizen, August 9, 2018
Municipal election candidates in an east-end ward are trying to show their planning chops on an application that proposes to change a community design plan while the local councillor is on leave from city hall.
The east urban community design plan calls for a low-density residential development on the forested land at 2983 Navan Rd. Taggart Realty Management wants the city to reclassify the land as commercial to allow a retail centre, which would have a grocery store, two restaurants, a drive-thru restaurant, a gas station with car wash and other stores.
(...)Since development applications are a key part of councillors’ advocacy work at city hall, council hopefuls are trying to engage the community on the file while Mitic is away. Four candidates are fighting to succeed Mitic, who’s not seeking re-election: Laura Dudas, Donna Leith-Gudbranson, Tammy Lynch and François Trépanier.
(...)Donna Leith-Gudbranson said her first instinct was to be concerned about the trees and impacts to the immediate neighbours, but as she talked to residents around in Chapel Hill South and Bradley Estates she learned they’re generally excited for local retailers and restaurants.
https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/innes-candidates-out-to-prove-they-can-stickhandle-hot-planning-files-with-councillor-on-leave