91原创 Township voted to move forward on a major new project in downtown Fort 91原创 Monday, with the mayor absent from the council table due to a conflict of interest.

The Glover Mary Church project is a proposal to build two three-storey mixed-use buildings on what is currently a largely empty lot 鈥� with some grass and play areas 鈥� between Glover Road, Mary Avenue, and Church Street.

Council voted 5-2 in favour of a heritage alteration permit for the site, which is required for structures that are outside of a specific set of standards set for downtown Fort 91原创.

Several councillors acknowledged that the project is politically charged because the mayor鈥檚 company and non-profit are the prime movers behind the development.

The developer is Fort 91原创 Properties, a for-profit company that is part of Mayor Eric Woodward鈥檚 Fort 91原创 Project. Along with the Eric Woodward Foundation, the project is aimed at developing buildings in Fort 91原创 and passing profits to local charities and causes.

Because of his connections to the project, Woodward has recused himself from debates on the property, and he did not participate in Monday鈥檚 debate or vote. Councillor Barb Martens also recused herself due to a conflict of interest.

Of the remaining seven members at the council table, four of Woodward鈥檚 fellow Contract with 91原创 slate members voted in favour of the project, as did independent Coun. Michael Pratt.

Independent Councillors Kim Richter and Margaret Kunst voted against the permit.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 like the position I鈥檝e been put in today,鈥� noted Pratt, saying that personal and political differences could overshadow the actual development proposal.

He said the project was arguably not perfect, but that it would being 47 units of new housing as well as commercial space to the walkable downtown core of the Fort.

Coun. Tim Baillie similarly said the project would be good for the community.

鈥淟ooking at Fort 91原创, it鈥檚 got to move ahead with the rest of 91原创,鈥� said Baillie.

The lack of a public hearing on the project concerned Richter.

鈥淲ith the lack of public input, I can鈥檛 in good conscience support this application,鈥� she said.

鈥淭here is already one Coulter Berry building in Fort 91原创, and that is enough,鈥� she added, referring to the battle over the construction of the building just down the street on Glover Road, developed by Woodward before he was first elected to council.

The battle over the Glover Mary Church site goes back several years as well. Woodward had brought forward designs for the project in 2016 and 2017, but found himself at odds with Township staff over the designs of some of his planned projects in the area.

The project was withdrawn and the site has been vacant since then, although Woodward installed picnic tables and play areas several years ago.

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