Not quite off the market ... but close

Otter Lake Friends member Tracy Cain, addresses council Monday.

North Bay city council unanimously supported a resolution Monday night that will see Otter Lake off the market for private development.

Calling the process over and a win/win situation, Deputy Mayor Peter Chirico says that this move demonstrates that council operates in an open and transparent manner.

"We have heard you . . . and we have always heard you," he told the audience in the newly refurbished gallery.

“This demonstrates that council is not afraid to tackle issues, or debate those issues in public. The process is over and we followed process.”

The land is still for sale; however, the motion indicates that the city will only look at offers from community-based groups that will develop the property as a benefit to the public.

The motion has five points including a call to remove the gate at the southerly trail and that the designated municipal parkland be removed from the city's surplus properties list.

Otter Lake Friends member Tracy Cain, while pleased to see that council heard the community, says she would like to see all the parcels of land developed as a municipal park.