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“I am disappointed that such an important file — representing potentially the largest single investment in the city’s social sector of which I am aware — came down to a binary vote on land-use planning grounds,” he said.

Assuming council OKs the proposal, Nussbaum said he hopes the charity takes into consideration the voices of the “many passionate, engaged experts and community members to improve this proposal,” and called for a plan “more in line” with the objective of ending homelessness.

In a statement, Leiper said he took exception to the proposal because it runs counter to the city’s official plan on traditional mainstreets, and “too little heed was paid to how the development could contribute positively to the evolution of Vanier in a big-picture way.”

By approving it, he said, “We have failed to capitalize on an opportunity to move toward a more sustainable way to address homelessness and housing.”

Leiper added the charity “failed to engage the community” on the proposal.

“Even among those councillors voting to approve the development, there was strong remonstrance at how the process unfolded.”

The political hot potato is now passed to city council, which will have the final say Wednesday.

Dobson and SOS Vanier have retained the legal services of Michael Polowin, a partner with Gowling WLG who specializes in municipal and real property law.

“From my perspective,” Dobson said, “if we don’t win that council vote, as long as (Polowin) thinks we have a case, then we’ll be appealing to the OMB.

“But we still have a council vote coming up. We’ve looked down the road, but the first step is going to be in council on Wednesday, and we will be there.

“We’ll be respectful and we’ll watch the proceedings, and we will meet after the vote and make a determination on how to proceed.

Both councillors’ statements can be read in full below.