Peter Eblen frames an apology from Holdfast Bay Deputy Mayor Mikki Bouchee over development claims

HOLDFAST Bay’s deputy mayor has apologised for claiming a Glenelg East car yard broke planning regulations after the company’s previous owner threatened to sue her for defamation. The apology has been framed.

Peter Eblen with a framed apology from Holdfast Bay deputy mayor Mikki Bouchee.

HOLDFAST Bay’s deputy mayor has apologised for claiming a Glenelg East car yard broke planning regulations after the company’s previous owner threatened to sue her for defamation.

Cr Mikki Bouchee claimed at a development assessment panel meeting in March last year that Eblen Subaru had contravened conditions in the Development Act, during a 2014 redevelopment.

Her comments centred around bollards obstructing an area for loading and unloading cars.

Cr Bouchee told Tuesday’s council meeting she withdrew the remarks, disclaimed “any criticism of Peter Eblen” and offered an “unconditional apology” to him “for the hurt and embarrassment my remarks caused him”.

After the meeting, she insisted her comments were about Eblen Subaru and not Peter Eblen.

Deputy Mayor Mikki Bouchee apologised over her comments.

Mr Eblen had given her until Tuesday to apologise or face defamation action.

He has framed the apology he received.

Despite not owning the business since 2011, he said he was the “victim of the false and offensive conduct of Cr Bouchee”.

At the time of her original remarks, Cr Bouchee was debating a development application lodged by Eblen Subaru for an LED sign, which was approved.

Mr Eblen wanted Cr Bouchee to apologise in stronger terms and to pay his legal costs, but the parties reached an agreement a day before last week’s council meeting.

Neither Cr Bouchee nor the council had to pay Mr Eblen’s legal costs.

The council forced Cr Bouchee to do more training on planning laws following her original comments.

A council report found she breached the elected members’ code of conduct by considering “extraneous matters when making a decision regarding a development application”.

“Members of the panel and Cr Bouchee herself confirmed that, in considering the application, she had made comments relating to the past history of the applicant and to the lack of faith of neighbours that the applicant would adhere to planning conditions,” the report said.

Mr Eblen, who still runs a car wash and crash repair business, said it was “hard enough to run a small business without false and damaging criticism coming from Cr Bouchee”.

Cr Bouchee lives about 150m from Eblen Subaru.

She can claim up to $500 from the council for any legal expenses, but is yet to do so.

Cr Bouchee did not renominate for the council’s Development Assessment Panel in October.

Eblen Subaru declined to comment.