Casino and racetrack plans not yet approved
by Scott Haines
Even though the initial plan was to break ground in January 2008, city officials are confident the developers of the new Quinte Exhibition and Raceway will begin construction.
"My understanding is that they are still moving ahead to start on April first or in early April," says Spencer Hutchison, manager of approvals for the City of Belleville.
Hutchison says the final site plans for the proposed racetrack and casino have not been approved. There are still a few issues the city and the developer need to iron out with the site plan before construction can begin.
"There are still a few details to be sorted out, and once those issues are sorted out then the site plan will be ready to be signed." he says.
Rod Bovay, director of development services for the City of Belleville, explained a site plan is a legal document that gets registered on title to the racetrack property, saying that Baymount will build the project as shown on the approved plans. It deals with property maintenance, elevation, where the sewers will be and where the parking lots and driveways are, says Bovay.
After the site plan has been approved and signed off, Baymount Corporation will have to get a building permit. Whereas the site plan deals with the building property and the uses for that property, the building permit looks more specifically at the designs for the building and whether or not they meet the building code. This can be done at the same time as the working of the site plan, as getting a building permit can take two to three weeks.
"I believe they have already got their paperwork well underway for their building permit," Hutchison says.
Baymount did not respond to requests for an interview.
|
