Parker court awards $5 million to land developer – Winnipeg Free Press

McCarthy Smith directed city planners to slow down the approval process and concluded that Robinson had delayed the project from being reviewed by a City Council committee. The judgment also requires Coun. John Orlikov (River Heights-Fort Harry) — who is not named as a defendant in the lawsuit — has obstructed the approval process.

Orlikov was not available for comment Thursday, but did nothing to delay the project.

Toyin said the consultant wants to limit the height and number of residential units in the development.

“The dilemma was Con. Orlikov wants to limit the building height to six floors for reasons unrelated to the plan,” he said.

Toin said the city's changes threaten to reduce the residential density for the development to 1,000 units below the developer's proposal.

“Kun. “Orlikov repeatedly said that he is concerned about the problem of density in various meetings,” he said.

Instead, a lawyer for the city of Winnipeg told the court on Thursday that the judge made errors of law that are the basis for the appeal.

“A court should not draw an inference of malice unless that is the only reasonable inference possible. I would suggest to you that was not the case in this case,” said Nicole Beasse.

In the appeals document, the city argues that Gem Equities actually delayed the project somewhat by refusing to begin public consultations until 2016. He also claimed that the judge did not provide adequate reasons for awarding damages and “made a final judgment. excessive and unreasonably high damages”.

Attorneys for the two city employees who were found liable in a court order Wednesday said their clients worked to advance the plea.

On Thursday, Robinson's attorney, Kevin Williams, noted that his client's proposals were based on the council's adopted policy on density restrictions.

“He's obligated to follow the city's policy. … He did his job,” Williams said.

He said his client has since been adversely affected by the judge's decision.

“This is a completely fabricated allegation against Mr. Robinson that has caused him significant distress and harm,” Williams said.

Justices James Edmond, Diana Cameron and David Croft heard the appeal. On Thursday afternoon, Cameron said a decision would be delayed indefinitely.

Gem Equities began working with the city on a plan to develop the former Parker lands in the fall of 2013, but the council didn't approve the project until 2020 after years of delays and legal battles. The proposal has not progressed since then.

Marquez said administrative changes after the vote forced him to file a new application instead.

Meanwhile, the council's property and development committee voted Thursday in favor of Fulton Grove's latest proposal, which is awaiting a final council vote.

The project will add 1,918 residential units on 47 acres of land in south Winnipeg, bordered by the CN Railway Rivers line and Southwest Rapid Transit.

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Joyanna Pursaga
Reporter

Born and raised in Winnipeg, Joyanne loves to tell the stories of this city, especially when politics are involved. Joyanna became the Winnipeg Free Press' city hall reporter in early 2020.

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