Telling comments by planning co-ordinator Dean McCaughey

A proposed 222 acres in Cobourg's east end will be transformed into 1,300 residential units, parks, schools and a church in one of the largest subdivision site plans in recent memory.
Rondeau Development submitted its massive plans earlier this week and council got to take a quick look before the planning department does its usual analysis.
Councillor Dean McCaughey, who is the longtime planning co-ordinator, said staff will move as quickly as possible, but the review will be done thoroughly.
"There won't be any attempts to throw roadblocks in the way," he promised.
On the surface, this is all very unremarkable. But it is not.
Just above this story on the front page of the Cobourg Daily Star is a piece on the upcoming Ontario Municipal Board hearing for a proposed Home Depot. A businessman is fighting the major hardware and lumber retailer over a marketing study it submitted for zoning approvals to build one of its big box stores near the Wal-Mart.
It was only a few months ago, Mr. Sub built its new store on the main downtown street after a major battle between community activists and council. McCaughey took a beating over the conflict as the heritage perservationists worked overtime to try to get the facade to match the rest of the historic downtown buildings. In the end, the corporation got to keep its pseudo-heritage design that compliments the other architecture, but definitely does not match. It looks like a kid in his father's suit, and ill fit that is awkward and out of place, but a nice try.
When the fight was over, McCaughey was mighty upset with lots of scars. One thing politicians worry about is the message potential developers get about an area. If there are too many problems and a very strong activist community to oppose projects, they will take a pass.
Thus, McCaughey's comments are meant to send a clear message to developers that council is more than willing to push through plans. And, he is trying to keep his opponents at bay by saying the job will be thorough.
He should know better than to try to assuage the situation. In the meantime, this might mean McCaughey is hoping to run for re-election. If he can keep both sides in the development world happy, he may get a shot at coming back. But, that may be a long shot.