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owen_sound_reporter2

One-Sentence Summary

Council addressed additional business and a Discussion concerning the courthouse chimney sweeps, heard a Presentation from the Mayor regarding a Commissioner’s Citation for heroic rescues, and passed by-laws while noting that 21.a By-law No. 2025-059 involved 9th Avenue East lane closures.

Whole Meeting Summary

During discussion of additional business, Council considered an update from the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan Advisory Committee and a matter related to the courthouse chimney sweeps without making a decision or bylaw. The Council approved a motion to move to committee of the whole, thereby postponing thirteen specific agenda matters for further consideration and procedural review under that standing motion regarding postponed matters. A public meeting addressed Zoning By-law Amendment No. 55 for 1115 10th Street East regarding a nursing home conversion to thirty-six residential units where staff confirmed negligible traffic impact, residents voiced concerns about noise and privacy, and a council member stated that site plan details remain separate future stages pending July recommendations. A deputation included a presentation from the Mayor regarding an Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner’s citation for heroic rescue, with the speaker Speaker 04 without providing additional details. Speaker 01 provided a verbal report concerning recent Grey County Council activities, which included the formal recognition of awards presented to six paramedics for their service. A motion was moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report, initiating the procedural step for the committee to conclude its business and return to plenary session without any further discussion or vote on the matter. Council passed By-law No. 2025-059; a speaker Speaker 05 closures on 9th Avenue East for a water main replacement project extending from Superior Street to 6th Street before the meeting adjourned.

Most Newsworthy Items

Proposal for Rental Apartments at Transit-accessible Location: A speaker described a proposal for rental apartment units consisting of one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. The speaker noted that a thorough pre-consultation exercise involving city staff, consultants, and Dr. Abu was conducted, resulting in required studies. The planning justification report outlined how the proposal conforms with the City Official Plan and is consistent with the provincial planning statement. From the perspective of the City Official Plan, the location is deemed very good for medium-density development as it checks all boxes regarding location, proximity to recreational facilities like a park across the street, schools, a college, and a hospital 600 metres east. The site is within walking distance to commercial businesses including shopping near Walmart and along a collector road, which aligns with official plan requirements for direct access or frontage on a collector road. Additionally, the site is located right on a bus route with a stop directly in front of the property.
Public Comments on Rental Apartment Proposal: A planner addressed public concerns regarding a proposal for rental apartments at a transit-accessible location, noting that city staff advised traffic impact would be negligible and no study is required. The speaker clarified that the project involves converting an existing nursing home into 36 new units intended for young professionals, not low-income housing, and stated that Council does not regulate affordability. Public commenters raised concerns about increased traffic, noise, privacy due to building height, stormwater runoff, snow removal, and a proposed five-foot fence. A resident opposed the project, citing signatures from approximately three-quarters of condominium units against the build.
A deputation from Olive Barowski requested a road closure on 1st Avenue: A deputation from Olive Barowski requested a road closure on 1st Avenue East between 9th and 10th Streets to host Banditfest Youth Music Festival on July 13th.
Additional business items including an update from the Community Safety: Council discussed additional business items including an update from the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan Advisory Committee and a matter related to the courthouse chimney sweeps.

Meeting Recap

15 DISCUSSION OF ADDITIONAL BUSINESS

Council discussed additional business items including an update from the Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan Advisory Committee and a matter related to the courthouse chimney sweeps.

13 MATTERS POSTPONED

The meeting moved to committee of the whole after carrying a motion regarding postponed matters.

6.a Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA) No. 55 - 1115 10th Street East

A public meeting was held to receive input on Zoning By-law Amendment No. 55 for the property at 1115 10th Street East, proposing a conversion of a former nursing home into 36 residential apartment units. The proposal involves one-bedroom and two-bedroom rental suites intended for young professionals, with staff confirming that traffic impact would be negligible and no further study is required. Public commenters raised concerns regarding increased traffic, noise, privacy, stormwater runoff, snow removal, and a proposed fence, while a resident Speaker 09 citing signatures from approximately three-quarters of condominium units against the build. A council member explained that the current discussion focuses on finding justification for changing the zoning from industrial to residential, noting that site plan details are separate future stages, and comments will return to Council in July with a recommendation report.

Purpose of This Meeting Is to Receive Input from the Public Respecting

A public meeting was held to receive input regarding a zoning bylaw amendment for a specific property. The Manager of Planning and Heritage presented background information on the proposed conversion of a former nursing home building into residential apartment units.

Proposal for Rental Apartments at Transit-accessible Location

A speaker Speaker 06 for rental apartment units consisting of one-bedroom and two-bedroom suites. The speaker Speaker 07 thorough pre-consultation exercise involving city staff, consultants, and Dr. Abu was conducted, resulting in required studies. The planning justification report outlined how the proposal conforms with the City Official Plan and is consistent with the provincial planning statement. From the perspective of the City Official Plan, the location is deemed very good for medium-density development as it checks all boxes regarding location, proximity to recreational facilities like a park across the street, schools, a college, and a hospital 600 metres east. The site is within walking distance to commercial businesses including shopping near Walmart and along a collector road, which aligns with official plan requirements for direct access or frontage on a collector road. Additionally, the site is located right on a bus route with a stop directly in front of the property.

Public Comments on Rental Apartment Proposal

A planner addressed public concerns regarding a proposal for rental apartments at a transit-accessible location, noting that city staff advised traffic impact would be negligible and no study is required. The speaker Speaker 08 project involves converting an existing nursing home into 36 new units intended for young professionals, not low-income housing, and stated that Council does not regulate affordability. Public commenters raised concerns about increased traffic, noise, privacy due to building height, stormwater runoff, snow removal, and a proposed five-foot fence. A resident Speaker 09, citing signatures from approximately three-quarters of condominium units against the build.

Council Considers Justification for Zoning Change

A public speaker Speaker 10 would listen to their voice regarding written submissions sent via email, which staff confirmed were received and will be considered. A council member explained that the current discussion focuses on finding justification for why a zoning bylaw change from industrial to residential should not happen, noting that site plan details like fence heights are separate future stages governed by provincial guidelines.

Public Meeting Closed After Input Gathering

A speaker Speaker 08 purpose of the meeting is to gather input on why a site plan or rezoning should proceed, noting that comments will return to Council in July with a recommendation report. Another speaker Speaker 11 regarding setbacks and zoning changes by stating that detailed plans are not yet finalized and that the current discussion focuses solely on whether there is a reason not to change from institutional zoning to residential. The public meeting was subsequently closed after no further speakers requested to address the microphone.

7.a Presentation from the Speaker 02 Citation for Heroic Rescue

A speaker Speaker 12 citation from the OPP Commissioner regarding heroic rescues without going into detail.

10.c Verbal Report from the Speaker 03 Council

Speaker 01 reported on recent council activities, including the recognition of awards for six paramedics.

16 MOTION THAT COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE RISE AND REPORT

A motion was moved for the Committee of the Whole to rise and report.

21.a By-law No. 2025-059

Council passed By-law No. 2025-059 through 2025-066. A speaker Speaker 13 9th Avenue East will experience lane closures starting tomorrow for a water main replacement project extending from Superior Street to 6th Street. The meeting adjourned with notice of a special capital budget meeting on June 23rd and the next regular meeting on July 7th.