One-Sentence Summary
On June 2, 2026, the Owen Sound Committee of Adjustment considered neighborhood concerns raised by a representative regarding potential hazards at Eight Avenue that could compromise new residential lots with reduced frontage along Twenty Third Street.
Whole Meeting Summary
The Committee of Adjustment convened to evaluate applications concerning property severance where existing structures face mandatory demolition on hazard-designated land along Eighth Avenue and Twenty-Third Street to protect sensitive ravines and wetlands. Although physical constraints resulting from inadequate municipal servicing limit building density below official plan minimums, the project seeks to introduce affordable housing into an established neighborhood while navigating steep terrain limitations. An archaeological assessment confirmed no artifacts were found at the site prior to provincial submission, clearing one regulatory hurdle for this complex land division. Neighboring residents expressed significant concern regarding four new small lots with reduced frontages, arguing such a configuration risks insufficient parking, inadequate snow removal capacity, and compromised pedestrian safety near a school. The city has previously incorporated an easement from adjacent streets into the subject property rather than providing direct servicing on Eighth Avenue to accommodate these difficult geographical conditions.
Most Newsworthy Items
- The proposal involves creating residential lots on a hazard-designated parcel along Eighth: The proposal involves creating residential lots on a hazard-designated parcel along Eighth Avenue and Twenty Third Street, requiring demolition of existing structures to protect steep ravines, wetlands, and woodlands.
- City staff recommends approving consent applications for semi-detached dwellings on a seve: City staff recommends approving consent applications for semi-detached dwellings on a severed property to align with official plan housing diversity goals.
- A representative voices neighborhood concerns regarding a proposed subdivision on Twenty T: A representative voices neighborhood concerns regarding a proposed subdivision on Twenty Third Street that creates four small lots with reduced frontage, arguing this development is inconsistent with the surrounding area and risks inadequate parking, snow removal issues, pedestrian safety near a school, and excessive density concentration.
Meeting Recap
5 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED FOR WHICH DIRECTION IS REQUIRED
The Committee of Adjustment convened a public hearing for applications B-05 through A-05 regarding property severance on E.S.
6 ANNOUNCEMENT BY THE CHAIR
The proposal involves creating residential lots on a hazard-designated parcel along Eighth Avenue and Twenty Third Street, requiring demolition of existing structures to protect steep ravines, wetlands, and woodlands. While the site’s physical constraints limit density below official plan minimums due to service access issues, the development aims to provide affordable housing options within an established neighborhood.
7.a Report CS-26-050 from the Senior Planner Re Request for Certificate
The oddly shaped lot exists because the city refuses to provide servicing on Eighth Avenue; instead, an easement from Twenty-Eighth Street or Twenty-Third Street West was incorporated into the subject property.
8 APPLICATIONS
The developer reports that an archaeological assessment found no artifacts at the site before submitting findings to provincial authorities.
9 CORRESPONDENCE PROVIDED FOR INFORMATION
A representative voices neighborhood concerns regarding a proposed subdivision on Twenty Third Street that creates four small lots with reduced frontage, arguing this development is inconsistent with the surrounding area and risks inadequate parking, snow removal issues, pedestrian safety near a school, and excessive density concentration.
Links
Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/committee-of-adjustment/2026-06-02
Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/committee-of-adjustment/2026-06-02
Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=5f334471-4afc-4bfe-be48-45d9c6c883b0
Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_CA_2026-06-02-03-00.mp4