The developer of a Hagersville townhouse project that was halted by a native land claim says economic activity in Haldimand has dried up and his industry is scared.
"No one wants to finance anything in Haldimand because of the uncertainty," Dan Valentini said after an information session on land claims the county held in Cayuga for invited landowners and developers.
Valentini, of Stoney Creek, said the 40 or so builders and developers at the meeting believe properties that are the subject of land claims should be flagged at the provincial registry office so would-be purchasers can "make informed decisions."
Haldimand Mayor Marie Trainer, who organized the closed session, said another meeting will be held in a
couple of months to update the industry on the status of claims and any negotiations.
Representatives of the provincial and federal governments as well as the OPP attended the meeting at the municipal office.
Valentini, who bought a 34-hectare site on Highway 6 in Hagersville for $1.6 million last July, believes he was misled by the provincial government because it allowed disputed land to be placed on the registry.
There was no indication of a dispute recorded on the title even though Six Nations had brought the claim forward 20 years ago. Natives briefly occupied Valentini's property until he moved his equipment off the site.
Now he has lost his bank loan and teeters on the brink of bankruptcy.
Valentini and his wife Joanne have all their capital, their life's work, tied up in the 100-lot development.
And his builder doesn't want the lots because there's no guarantee he can sell the houses.
Valentini's asked the province to buy him out for $2.6 million, which
includes the $1.6 million purchase price for the land and $1 million in costs to date. He also suggested the government give him an interest-free loan
secured on the property for $2.6 million which he would pay back as soon as issues surrounding the native claim are resolved or he was able to develop or sell the site.
John Burke, deputy minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and Doug Carr, the assistant deputy minister of Aboriginal Affairs, both told him the McGuinty government will provide no assistance.
Valentini has also hired lawyer Michael Bruder, who represented the Henning brothers through their troubles with the Douglas Creek Estates property that was occupied by natives in Caledonia 16 months ago.
The provincial government eventually bought the Hennings' property for $16 million.
"I don't believe the (McGuinty) government understands the impact this sort of thing has," says Valentini, adding he feels development in Haldimand has been chilled.
"And property values have dropped more than 20 per cent," he said.
Valentini said Burke told developers yesterday there are no problems with land titles in Haldimand.
"But everyone is afraid to do anything anyway."