Belleville Council has cancelled a pending transaction to transfer a vacant piece of land near the city’s waterfront to a private developer.
Council chambers were packed on Monday with community members opposed to the deal involving a vacant property on South John Street across from Jane Forrester Park, which is now kept as a green space.
A staff report was on the agenda to transfer the land to a private developer for a dollar. That proposal had gained significant attention over the past two weeks.
The land has been declared surplus to the city’s needs and has significant concerns about possible contamination.
Responding to the public interest, council reversed course and received the report (only) and passed a motion to cancel the bylaw authorizing the land transfer.
Mayor Neil Ellis then requested a report from staff on possible public uses for the property, following a period of public consultation.
Any financial implications would be included in the 2027 budget process.
