owen_sound_reporter2

owen_sound_reporter2

One-Sentence Summary

Council addressed MATTERS POSTPONED, reviewed Director of Community Services report findings regarding stop-up actions on 21st Street East lands, and passed 21 BY-LAWS covering Great Lakes agreements and zoning policy amendments in the regular meeting agenda sequence recorded for this specific civic body session today.

Whole Meeting Summary

The agenda lists matters postponed as one item among several consent items, with no specific disposition recorded for this entry in the excerpt. The agenda item titled Deputations and Presentations was included on the list, yet the record indicates that no deputation or presentation occurred during this specific segment of the meeting proceedings. During the public forum session, one individual sought council restraint from enacting bubble zone bylaws restricting protests in Gaza, while another resident Speaker 03 a proposed four-story apartment building that would replace existing hedges with a privacy wall. Council considered Report CS-25-067 from the Director of Community Services regarding stopping up and closing the southerly two-thirds of the unopened 21st Street East road allowance west of 9th Avenue to declare it surplus before passing the resulting bylaw. Correspondence presented for Council’s information included a letter sent to the Mayor and Council concerning perceived discriminatory language in a Strategic Plan, with staff explaining procedures for forwarding such communications regarding criteria used to include items on the agenda while noting that correspondence addressed to officials is generally forwarded to the Clerk. Speaker 01 moved a notice of motion to amend the Boards and Committees Bylaw, appointing another council member to the Owen Sound Police Services Board after the head of council decided not to continue. Council passed bylaws 2025-069 through 2025-075 to confirm existing bylaws, execute agreements for the Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup and development charges deferral, amend policies on flag flying and zoning, and approve agreements with Walker Construction Limited and Midwest Cooperative Services.

Most Newsworthy Items

Council Considers Sale of 21st Street East Road Allowance: Barry’s Construction and Insulation proposed constructing a four-story, 35-unit residential building adjacent to an existing three-story, 23-unit structure on lands where the City would sell a portion of the unopened 21st Street East road allowance. The report noted that five letters were received from property owners regarding concerns such as privacy, height, setbacks, and drainage, with specific requests addressed through site plan approval or minor variance processes. Council directed staff to bring forward a bylaw to stop up and close the southerly two-thirds of the road allowance west of 9th Avenue and declare it surplus.
The Deputy Mayor reported that County Council received a strategic priorities report: The Deputy Mayor reported that County Council received a strategic priorities report for the Western Ontario Wardens Caucus covering infrastructure, housing affordability, workforce development, forest preservation, mental health services, and regional investments.
Council received items eleven A to H on the consent agenda: Council received items eleven A to H on the consent agenda and approved recommendations in items eleven A to E.
Council Considers Site Plan Variance and Servicing Concerns: Staff analysis indicates that merging the existing apartment land with the proposed vacant lot meets minimum lot frontage, area, and coverage requirements, though rear yard and height deficiencies would require a minor variance through the Committee of Adjustment. Council discussed servicing concerns regarding a reinforced concrete sanitary sewer on road allowance 8, noting it is in good condition but proposing an easement to allow future excavation if needed. Councillor Greig expressed discomfort with proposed setbacks that hinder tree planting for privacy but supported the provincial direction to increase density and height on arterial roadways like 9th Avenue East. Council considered whether to approve the site plan or proceed with discussions regarding the developer’s proposal.

Meeting Recap

13 MATTERS POSTPONED

The agenda lists matters postponed as one item among several consent items, with no specific disposition recorded for this entry in the excerpt.

7 DEPUTATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS

The agenda item for deputations and presentations was listed but no items were presented.

8 PUBLIC FORUM

A speaker Speaker 04 Gravers spoke regarding ongoing demonstrations in Gaza and requested that the council not enact similar bubble zone bylaws to restrict protests. A speaker Speaker 05 limiting discussion to municipal concerns but allowed the first speaker Speaker 06 resident Speaker 07 a proposed four-story apartment building next door, describing how it would replace existing hedges with a privacy wall.

10.a Report CS-25-067 from the Director of Community Services Re Stop Up

Council considered a staff report regarding Barry’s Construction and Insulation’s proposal to construct a four-story residential building on lands where the City would sell a portion of the unopened 21st Street East road allowance west of 9th Avenue. The body discussed concerns raised by property owners, including privacy, height, setbacks, and drainage, noting that rear yard and height deficiencies would require a minor variance through the Committee of Adjustment. Council moved forward with a bylaw to stop up and close the southerly two-thirds of that road allowance section and declare it surplus, a motion that carried after a vote confirming majority support.

Council Considers Sale of 21st Street East Road Allowance

Barry’s Construction and Insulation proposed constructing a four-story, 35-unit residential building adjacent to an existing three-story, 23-unit structure on lands where the City would sell a portion of the unopened 21st Street East road allowance. The report noted that five letters were received from property owners regarding concerns such as privacy, height, setbacks, and drainage, with specific requests addressed through site plan approval or minor variance processes. Council directed staff to bring forward a bylaw to stop up and close the southerly two-thirds of the road allowance west of 9th Avenue and declare it surplus.

Council Considers Site Plan Variance and Servicing Concerns

Staff analysis indicates that merging the existing apartment land with the proposed vacant lot meets minimum lot frontage, area, and coverage requirements, though rear yard and height deficiencies would require a minor variance through the Committee of Adjustment. Council discussed servicing concerns regarding a reinforced concrete sanitary sewer on road allowance 8, noting it is in good condition but proposing an easement to allow future excavation if needed. Speaker 02 expressed discomfort with proposed setbacks that hinder tree planting for privacy but supported the provincial direction to increase density and height on arterial roadways like 9th Avenue East. Council considered whether to approve the site plan or proceed with discussions regarding the developer’s proposal.

Council Deliberated on a Request to Purchase and Subsequently Close a Segment

The Council considered a staff report regarding the closure of a specific road allowance section following a formal request from a construction entity. Discussion clarified that the immediate action involves stopping up and closing the southern portion to declare it surplus, distinct from future development approvals or sales processes. A member noted concerns about implied intent within the motion but acknowledged the customary practice of acting upon explicit requests rather than initiating closure without cause. The Committee recognized that subsequent planning applications would proceed separately through standard channels for public comment and adjustment. Ultimately, the body moved forward with a bylaw to effectuate the closure as recommended by staff. The decision carries after a vote confirming majority support for the specific motion presented.

11.h Correspondence received which is presented for the information of Council

A councillor presented correspondence regarding a letter sent to the Mayor and Council concerning language in a Strategic Plan that was perceived as discriminatory. The speaker Speaker 08 the criteria used to include such items on the agenda, noting provisions exist to withhold inappropriate content. Staff explained that while volume of emails can cause some to be directed to staff for follow-up rather than the Clerk, all correspondence addressed to Mayor and Council is generally forwarded to the Clerk for the official list.

18 NOTICES OF MOTION

Speaker 01 moved a notice of motion for the upcoming council meeting to amend the Boards and Committees Bylaw. This amendment appoints another council member to the Owen Sound Police Services Board following the head of council’s decision not to continue.

21 BY-LAWS

Council passed bylaws 2025-069 through 2025-075 to confirm existing bylaws, execute agreements for the Great Lakes Coastal Cleanup and development charges deferral, amend policies on flag flying and zoning, and approve agreements with Walker Construction Limited and Midwest Cooperative Services.