One-Sentence Summary

Council heard Ian Boddy open a public meeting regarding Official Plan Amendment No. 14 for employment lands housing updates, reviewed City Clerk report CR-25-139 on Harbour West noise permit requests requiring notice and prohibiting Sunday work until seven p.m., and addressed By-law No. 2025-127 with Speaker 01 abstaining after Ian Boddy moved it seconded by Speaker 02.

Whole Meeting Summary

Ian Boddy initiated a public meeting concerning proposed Section 17 and 34 Planning Act amendments, specifically addressing an Official Plan Update, Zoning By-law change, and Urban Design Directions Development for employment land housing modifications as detailed in the submitted notices and presentation documents. The City Manager presented an update indicating that road resurfacing work on 2025 Avenue is substantially complete and noted that water main projects are currently finishing for the season during this November presentation item. Council member Ian Boddy introduced the eighth agenda item as a public forum session that proceeded without any members of the attending public participating in the discussion or making requests to council staff or officials regarding municipal matters. Council approved Report CR-25-139 granting a six-month noise permit for concrete pours at Harbour West Development, requiring five days’ notice and prohibiting Sunday work to balance construction needs with neighborhood quality of life. Council debated a recommendation from Deputy Clerk Report CR-25-137 regarding pausing Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association lottery licence community open houses in 2026 due to low attendance and high staff costs while considering alternative formats. The Council voted unanimously to move into closed session specifically for the purpose of reviewing designated agenda items without public attendance or discussion during that portion of the meeting proceedings. Councillors passed By-law No. 2025-127 upon a motion made and seconded by Ian Boddy and Speaker 02, while Speaker 01 recorded an abstention from the vote on this specific bylaw item.

Most Newsworthy Items

  • Public Meeting Updates Employment Lands Housing: Ian Boddy opened a public meeting to gather input on proposed amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw under Sections 17 and 34 of the Planning Act. Briana Bloomfield confirmed that notices were published in The Sun Times, circulated to prescribed bodies, and posted online starting October 30th, while noting one late comment from Grey-Sable Conservation Authority was received after agenda publication but before the meeting. David Aston presented background information on an integrated approach updating employment land designations for provincial Areas of Employment, consolidating residential zones into two categories ranging from mature neighborhoods to higher-density clusters, and introducing new M-3 and C-2 zoning districts. The presentation highlighted survey results showing 66 per cent public support for downtown parking reductions and a prioritization focus on housing alongside employment uses.
  • Council Closed the Public Meeting After Receiving Comments Earlier in the Day: Council closed the public meeting after receiving comments earlier in the day before proceeding to a City Manager update.
  • Council debated a recommendation to pause community open houses during the 2026: Council debated a recommendation to pause community open houses during the 2026 election year due to low attendance and high staff costs, though some members argued for alternative formats.
  • The City Manager reported that road resurfacing on 2025 Avenue is substantially: The City Manager reported that road resurfacing on 2025 Avenue is substantially complete while water main projects are finishing for the season.

Meeting Recap

6.a Official Plan Amendment (OPA) No. 14 - Official Plan Update (Section

Ian Boddy opened a public meeting regarding proposed amendments to the Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw under Sections 17 and 34 of the Planning Act for employment lands housing updates.

7.a Presentation from the City Manager Re City Manager’s Update

Speaker 03 reported that road resurfacing on 2025 Avenue is substantially complete while water main projects are finishing for the season.

8 PUBLIC FORUM

Council member Ian Boddy introduced item eight, a public forum session with no attendees present.

10.a Report CR-25-139 from the City Clerk Re Noise Permit Request

Council approved a six-month noise permit for concrete pours only at Harbour West Development, requiring five days’ notice and prohibiting work on Sundays or holidays while maintaining standard Saturday hours until seven p.m., balancing construction needs with neighbourhood quality of life.

11.b Report CR-25-137 from the Deputy Clerk Re Lottery Licence for Sydenham

Council debated a recommendation to pause community open houses during the 2026 election year due to low attendance and high staff costs, though some members argued for alternative formats.

19 MOTION TO MOVE INTO CLOSED SESSION

The Council voted unanimously to enter closed session for the purpose of reviewing specific agenda items.

21.a By-law No. 2025-127

Ian Boddy moved, seconded by Speaker 02, to pass By-law No. 2025-127 with Speaker 01 abstaining.

Links

Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2025-11-24

Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/council-meeting-regular/2025-11-24

Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=75a65392-7e92-487c-aff0-4b9881f575a0

Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_CM_2025-11-24-05-31.mp4