Council briefed on next steps for controversial development on former Davis Tannery lands

By Christena Lawrie, CFRC's Broadcast Journalist and Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.

At last week’s Kingston City Council meeting, councillors were briefed on the next steps for the controversial development on the former Davis Tannery lands. 

In July, the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) ruled in favour of developer Jay Patry, clearing the way for a mixed-use project with 1,600 residential units, including 100 affordable homes. The site is highly contested, with environmental advocates raising alarms over contamination, wetlands, and the planned removal of nearly 2,000 trees.

Council originally rejected the proposal in 2022, and spent over $730,000 defending that decision at the OLT. Council will have only a limited role in shaping the next steps

“…We are powerless,” Councillor Jimmy Hassan stated during the briefing.

Listen to the full story here.