Vue Weekly article about Molson redevelopment in Edmonton.

http://vueweekly.com/front/story/strange_brew/ I quote Leading up to the hearing, Campbell and Ward 6 Councillor Jane Batty had countless conversations. "There was never a time when she said she wouldn't support the community," he says. So he was stunned when the general business rezoning passed, 10 – 3. Not only did Batty vote in its favour, but she seemingly led First Capital with questions about its good reputation and willingness to hear out the community that painted it in a very positive light. Did you p[\eople think that an outgoing councilor would support a developer or the community? Give your head a shake! I quote Don Iveson is the only councillor running for mayor who voted against it. First he tried combining two zoning laws that wouldn't force the developers to get constant approval but assure a certain quality. A similar bylaw is in place in the Warehouse District. However, his mayoral opponent Councillor Karen Leibovici called it "blackmail." No wonder Karen lost and Don won handily. I quote Dismayed, insiders from the administration have opened up to Campbell and me over the past month to explain how something that contradicts sustainability, density and walkability—virtues espoused in the city's long-term vision documents—could pass through planning in the first place. By the time the internal-review file made it back to the 13th floor and landed on Current Planning manager Mackie's desk, it had several letters of nonsupport. The files are not available to the public, however a memo from Mary Ann McConnell-Boehm, Director of the Planning Initiatives section, which oversees transit-oriented development, was leaked to me through Campbell. Erik Backstrom (senior planner of Transit Oriented Development) and Travis Pawlyk (senior planner on the Molson-Crosstown file), declined to comment. McConnell-Boehm was on vacation. However, Peter Ohm, manager of Urban Planning and Environment Branch, explains that it's rare for these comments to make it into council's report. Affable as he is, Mackie has upset many within the administration. He has a reputation for pushing development through and critics also take issue with the fact that someone who's not a fully accredited planner is in such a senior position. Mackie, who was hired from Calgary's planning department in 2009, has an MBA, though he's done eight years of planning course work and is a member of the Canadian Institute of Planners. You think! With Don Iveson as the new mayor, Lets watch and see if Molson gets built right a way