Council approves incentive package, development permit for luxury hotel
Despite heavy-handed and pointed opposition by one councillor, city council voted to approve an incentive package and development permit for a new luxury hotel slated for the city.
Plans of the city’s $700,000 cash incentive to the developer were made public last week. The Premier Best Western Hotel is estimated to cost $15 million.
The motion for the incentive package passed seven to two, with Councillors Terra Lennox-Zepp and Dennis Nowoselsky opposed. The development permit passed with only Lennox-Zepp voting against it.
The $700,000 cash grant covers the $519,000 in new road and utility construction, and the waiving of $181,000 in permit and levy charges. Mayor Greg Dionne said the incentives are not sizeable considering the scope of the project and the money will be recouped relatively quickly.