Township council would like to hear from Fort 91原创 developer Eric Woodward, however they are not planning to extend a special invitation.
On March 5, council in a 6-2 decision, voted down Kim Richter鈥檚 motion to ask Woodward to present his concerns to them, after he cut down trees and boarded up some of the buildings he owns in the Fort 91原创 commercial core.
Woodward said in October 2017 that he would begin boarding up businesses, after he reached an impasse with the Township on future development he had planned for the village.
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Only Richter and Coun. Blair Whitmarsh were in favour of the motion. Coun. David Davis was absent.
While most of council expressed interest in hearing from Woodward, they said that he should come to them of his own accord.
Coun. Bob Long said inviting Woodward to speak would set the wrong precedent.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a voluntary system here that delegations can come and speak to council,鈥� Long said. 鈥淚f we start inviting individuals to come because they have a beef with us, then there鈥檚 a big long list that we are going to have to make to invite everybody to the Township that has a concern.鈥�
Coun. Angie Quaale said the situation feels 鈥渁 bit like a game.鈥�
鈥淲e don鈥檛 summon people to these chambers to talk about their problems and concerns when we want to hear from them. This door is always open,鈥� she said.
鈥淪o I would strongly encourage Mr. Woodward to fill out the paperwork and make a delegation to council anytime he sees fit. A proper delegation, rather than manufacturing drama in the local papers and press through social media. It would be a far more respectful, effective means of communication and allow a genuine exchange of actual facts between Mr. Woodward, council and our staff.鈥�
Coun. Charlie Fox said that council should respect Woodward鈥檚 privacy.
鈥淚 talked to Mr. Woodward approximately three weeks ago. And he said to me not once, not twice, a minimum three times: I just want to be left alone. Just leave me alone,鈥� Fox said.
鈥淲ith all due respect, Mr. Woodward鈥檚 words ring true. Just leave him alone.鈥�
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Richter and Whitmarsh, however, believe this is a unique case.
鈥淚n terms of what鈥檚 happening right now, it鈥檚 not helping anybody,鈥� Richter said. 鈥淲e鈥檝e got buildings that are boarded up in Fort 91原创, and trees that are being cut in Fort 91原创. And if this continues on the way it鈥檚 going, how long is it going to last for? And if this is something that is going to go on for years, then that鈥檚 not good for either Fort 91原创 or the Township of 91原创.
鈥淚 think by us extending an invitation, and opening the door to him to come and address those concerns, it鈥檚 a step in the direction of goodwill and hopefully resolving what could be a very long term and unpalatable situation for all.鈥�
Whitmarsh said that normally, he would suggest council follow the proper process, however, 鈥渢his is not a normal situation.鈥�
鈥淲e have a particular person who, whether we like it or not, owns a significant portion of the commercial buildings in Fort 91原创 and is really choosing right now to do nothing that is illegal. In fact, he鈥檚 doing it all within our guidelines, and yet it makes it a bit of a farce in Fort 91原创,鈥� Whitmarsh said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not the same as a neighbour who has a fence that鈥檚 a foot over from where it should be. This is a person who is holding much of the town of Fort 91原创 鈥� one of the jewels of British Columbia 鈥� hostage. And I鈥檓 not happy with it.鈥�
miranda@langleytimes.com
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