"A purchase and sale agreement between a developer and the Town of Fort Erie is being drafted, but will not be executed until after an as yet-to-be-scheduled OMB hearing and decision is made".
And from todays Fort Erie Times we read
"Once executed by both the Town and the Molinaro Group, the agreement of purchase and sale is a binding legal agreement to transfer the ownership of the property. However, the completion of the transaction is conditional on three things taking place first. If the by-law for the land purchase agreement is amended after an appeal through the Ontario Municipal Board or any other legal setting, either party can terminate the agreement if not satisfied with the outcome. The transaction moving ahead will also be determined by whether or not the ministry of natural resources issues a permit pursuant to the endangered species act with conditions deemed acceptable by both parties by the end of 2012. The execution of the community benefit agreement also needs to take place before the land purchase agreement can move ahead." FE Times Link
So, in my opinion, nothing has changed.
I'm sure Councilors Lockwood, Whitfield, Annunziata and Shular, as well as Mayor Martin will speak of how this latest agreement was part of their “due diligence” in the deal making process with The Molinaro Group and I would have to say they would be correct.
But therein lies the rub.
What of their “due diligence” to the majority of residents that oppose this development?
One answer might be…
That was “executed” months ago.