OTTAWA, Ont. — The CFL moved closer to returning to the nation’s capital Wednesday after Ottawa City Council voted to proceed with plans to redevelop Lansdowne Park.
   
The city voted 21-3 in favour of the plan to refurbish Frank Clair Stadium and add new retail and residential developments to the park. Councillors Diane Deans, Diane Holmes and David Chernushenko were opposed.

“Today’s positive City of Ottawa council vote means a beautiful new stadium and as early as 2014, a proud new franchise that will make its community proud and our league even stronger,” CFL commissioner Mark Cohon said in a statement.

“This is a great day for our league and, for all of us who understand it’s important place in the culture of Canada, a great day for our country.”
   
The league said that as long as stadium construction remains on schedule, Ottawa will be eligible to select four underclassmen from the NCAA in the 2013 CFL Canadian draft, while an expansion draft will be held in December 2013.
  
Ottawa will be eligible to have a representative join the league’s board of governors and fully participate in the CFL Canadian draft in 2014.