I’ve been hearing from members of the Upton Farm Preservation Network since 7am this morning about the front page article in the Guardian concerning the sewer and water extension to Poplar Island for the new Cows Ice Cream factory.
Despite the perception created by some of the unfortunate quotes in the article, the city’s position has not changed with respect to Upton Farms; Council fully supports keeping the Farm green. At least two other Councillors and the Mayor have been in touch with Network members to clarify.
The developer is paying the city’s share for the extension down to Poplar Island, and the city is installing a small amount of supporting infrastructure to accommodate any future growth in demand in the area. That’s all. The city pays virtually nothing for the expansion and reaps the benefit of a substantial property tax bill payable by the factory well into the future. It is in no way related to Canada Lands’ shelved plan to develop a portion of Upton Farm.
Rob:
These are the quotes from the article:
‘[Coun. David] MacDonald said the city is also undertaking the project because it anticipates future expansion of Upton Farm, both plans for a large residential subdivision and a concert venue.
“We’re anticipating with the Upton Farm possible expansion into either an entertainment venue or with Canada Lands’ plans to build a subdivision and with the expansion to the Cows’ plant creamery that we’re going to have to service the area eventually,’’ MacDonald said.’
‘Wayne Long, events development officer with the city, says council’s vote is a big step towards the concert.
“In terms of hosting a major concert in Charlottetown this summer, outside the Festival of Lights, the biggest hurdle has been crossed tonight with the official approval of the Upton concert park,’’ Long said.’
Are the quotes “unfortunate” or is it “unfortunate” that the views of one councillor and one city staff member became public; i.e., that at least one councillor is fully convinced that Canada Lands will be building a subdivision on the Upton Farmlands despite the City taking part in negotiations with the other two levels of government to keep the property green; and that, despites reassurances that the concert planned for this summer is a “one-off,” a city staff member is referring to the Upton Farmlands as the “Upton Concert Park” despite the above noted ongoing negotiations.
Another question: does the property required to run the sewer & water lines to Poplar Island belong to the City or Canada Lands? If it is Canada Lands, are they donating the property? Can the public see the city application for federal funding for this project?
I don’t believe that Councillor MacDonald “is fully convinced that Canada Lands will be building a subdivision on the Upton Farmlands”, but I would leave it to him to explain the comments he made.
The resolution on the concert venue clearly stated “a one-time concert venue”. I don’t believe Mr. Long inadvertantly expressed any view that is contrary to that by calling it “Upton concert park”.
My understanding is that the water/sewer lines would be on city rights of way. I’ve never been a part of any discussion that the lines would be on Canada Lands property, and I’m not aware of that discussion taking place without me.
If you’d like to see the funding application I believe it should be available. I would suggest contacting city staff — either the CAO or the Director of Corporate Services.
Thanks for the info re the funding application.
While we know what the facts are about the official City position on the Upton Farmlands, at first blush, The Guardian articles present a very different picture.
While you certainly can’t be tasked with responding for Coun. MacDonald, his comments that the City “anticipates” future expansion of a “subdivision” does not make one think immediately of green space; and the phrase “Upton concert park” brings other pictures to mind than a temporary concert venue.
But I may be quibbling semantics here. I just felt the term “unfortunate quotes” kind of downplayed the issue.
Thanks, as usual, for your responsiveness.