owen_sound_reporter2

owen_sound_reporter2

One-Sentence Summary

Council heard deputation comments regarding artificial turf installation and Tree City promotion, reviewed Planning Act updates leading to an approved motion directing the Manager to submit legislative feedback via MPP Paul Vickers, and addressed staff-delegated site plan approval for U-Haul storage units at 16th Avenue East.

Whole Meeting Summary

The deputation from Dwight Bryant and Speaker 01 proposed installing artificial turf at Owen Sound Lacrosse facilities for four months annually when ice is absent but conflicting with outdoor soccer seasons, while Council members also discussed promoting the city’s Tree City of the World designation through social media and newsletters to link initiatives to Arbor Day and National Forest Week celebrations. Council members discussed playground shade needs at Comeret Park and Owen Heights Park while noting hospital tree donations are available for municipalities, with staff confirming new trees will be planted outside contracts this spring to address open house feedback on sun exposure. Council members discussed connecting community groups like Bluewater Quilters’ Guild to existing discounted partnership agreements or grant sources such as the Community Foundation due to rising rental costs regarding a hall rental fee increase request from the guild. Planning and Heritage reported on Bill 60 updates regarding housing construction delays, proposed changes to green roof requirements, site plan regulations, water systems, legislative uncertainty for staff processing applications, and a motion directing City Manager Paul Biggs to submit comments via MPP Paul Vickers including amendments requesting stronger language against omnibus bills. The Director of Speaker 02 reported that Derby Camping’s first year reduced negative impacts by organizing 40 spaces on Transport Canada lands with strict trailer limits of 32 feet, no tents, and a $150 licence fee to offset costs despite not fully recouping expenses. The Chief Building Official provided information regarding the development update which included reporting on three new townhouse units at Hadera, a permit for an event at Heritage Place Mall, and approval to erect a storage building at the Public Works Department. Council received a staff-delegated site plan approval for the UHaul facility located at 2010 16th Ave E that includes major buildings and mini-storage units situated opposite a newly constructed McDonald’s restaurant property.

Most Newsworthy Items

Artificial Turf Proposal and Usage Constraints: The deputation proposes installing artificial turf at Owen Sound Lacrosse facilities, available four months annually when ice is absent but conflicting with outdoor soccer seasons.
Council members discussed playground shade needs at Comeret Park and Owen Heights: Council members discussed playground shade needs at Comeret Park and Owen Heights Park while noting hospital tree donations are available for municipalities.
Planning and Heritage reported on Bill 60’s updates regarding housing construction delays: Planning and Heritage reported on Bill 60’s updates regarding housing construction delays and regulatory burdens under the Planning Act.
Promote Tree City Designation Via Social Media: Council members discussed promoting Owen Sound’s Tree City of the World designation through social media and newsletters, linking initiatives to Arbor Day and National Forest Week celebrations.

Meeting Recap

5.a Deputation from Dwight Bryant and Ethan Woods of Owen Sound Lacrosse

6 PUBLIC FORUM

Council members discussed playground shade needs at Comeret Park and Owen Heights Park while noting hospital tree donations are available for municipalities. Staff confirmed new trees will be planted outside contracts this spring to address the open house feedback on sun exposure. The committee aims to finalize a recommendation regarding park renaming and other items by December before presenting it to Council.

7.a Bluewater Quilters’ Guild Re Hall Rental Fee Increase

Council members discussed connecting community groups like Bluewater Quilters’ Guild to existing discounted partnership agreements or grant sources such as the Community Foundation due to rising rental costs.

8.a.1 Report CS-25-118 from the Manager of Planning and Heritage Re Bill

Planning and Heritage reported on Bill 60’s updates regarding housing construction delays and regulatory burdens under the Planning Act. The report highlights proposed changes to green roof requirements, site plan regulations, and water systems while noting that rapid legislative turnover creates uncertainty for municipal staff processing development applications. Council approved a motion directing City Manager Paul Biggs to submit comments via MPP Paul Vickers, including amendments to request stronger language against omnibus bills and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.

8.b.1 Report CS-25-115 from the Director of Community Services Re Derby Speaker 03 reported that Derby Camping’s first year reduced negative impacts by organizing 40 spaces on Transport Canada lands with strict trailer limits of 32 feet, no tents, and a $150 licence fee to offset costs despite not fully recouping expenses. Success relied on cross-functional staff teams, buy-in from partners like Salmon Spectacular, an education-first enforcement approach that avoided charges, and flexible on-site sales strategies using portable computers for unsold passes.

11.a Memorandum from the Chief Building Official Re Development Update

The Speaker 04 reported three new townhouse units at Hadera, a permit for an event at Heritage Place Mall, and approval to erect a storage building at Public Works Department.

11.b Site Plan DA-25-018 - 2010 16th Ave E - UHaul

Council received a staff-delegated site plan approval for U-Haul at 16th Avenue East, featuring major buildings and mini-storage units across from a new McDonald’s.