One-Sentence Summary

Council heard the deputation from Jayesh Parmar of Owen Sound Cricket Team regarding a new ground, reviewed Public Forum comments on park safety and infrastructure needs, and addressed the Community Business Development Advisor’s report recommending an economic development application.

Whole Meeting Summary

Jayesh Parmar of the Owen Sound Cricket Team deputed to request a dedicated cricket ground to support local growth and host tournaments, noting current reliance on tennis courts due to wet conditions, while staff explained capital costs belong in the December 2026 budget report and temporary arrangements are being explored. Christine Hempel presented ideas for an upcoming zoning review aimed at fostering affordable housing development by smoothing municipal processes despite funding issues, suggesting specific updates to bylaws and waiving parking requirements while addressing the necessity of studies for small developments. A Public Forum speaker Speaker 01 regarding missing emergency signage and picnic tables at Ryerson Park and Owen Heights Park, requesting committee consideration for an interim emergency sign while renaming processes continue and urging attention to age-friendly infrastructure needs during park refurbishment. Staff reported that Council considered Report CS-25-061 regarding an application under Policy CSO 87 for renaming Ryerson Park and directed the initiation of the policy-contemplated process without finalizing the name change or declaring the park renamed. The Manager of Parks and Speaker 12 reported Report CS-25-062 regarding approved final playground layouts for Owen Heights and Comm-er-Ette Parks that incorporate accessibility standards and structural improvements based on public input, with the motion to approve generally carried subject to flexibility on component variations. The Community and Business Development Advisor presented a mid-year update on contract accomplishments and recommended that Council receive the report for information purposes while directing staff to prepare an economic development funding application in collaboration with Grey County and Georgian College.

Most Newsworthy Items

• Final Playground Concepts Approved for Owen Heights and Comeret: A speaker sought approval of the final concept layout for the playgrounds at Owen Heights Park and Comeret Park, following public input. The designs comply with CSA Z614-20 and AODA standards, incorporating accessibility features such as sensory play components and firm ground surfaces.
• Mid-year Update on Economic Development and Investment Attraction: The Community and Business Development Advisor presented a mid-year update on contract accomplishments over the last six months. The recommendation is to receive the report for information purposes and direct staff to lead preparation for an application to the Ontario Trade Impacted Communities Programme. Additionally, the recommendation includes applying in collaboration with Grey County and Georgian College to economic development funding opportunities, such as the new Rural Ontario Development Programme due September 25th. The update highlights strong working relationships built through a collaborative process involving storytelling about regional prosperity and partnerships. Key achievements include attending the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council’s summit, where local expertise in medical isotopes was highlighted. The presentation emphasized the need to address community health aspects like childcare, housing, and transit as part of investment attraction goals. Staff will develop an 18-month external relations and investment attraction plan to present before council in September 2025.
• Heidi Jennen Questions Necessity of Studies for Affordable Housing: Heidi Jennen questioned whether extensive studies like urban design and solar assessments are necessary for small developments where zoning is already in place, arguing that such requirements add unnecessary cost and time without addressing the core issue of affordable housing. She noted that while some municipalities require traffic studies even on transit lines with no parking, the current process does not foster development effectively. She emphasized that the upcoming zoning bylaw review offers a unique opportunity to change the system’s approach before the next review in five years, suggesting that pre-approving developments could remove steps and save money for the municipality.
• Zoning Barriers Hinder Affordable Housing Development: Christine Hempel presented ideas for an upcoming zoning review to foster affordable housing development. She explained that municipal actions can smooth processes despite upper-tier funding issues. When zoning supports a project, non-profits can access seed funding and avoid early costs. Conversely, if zoning does not support the plan, projects require amendments or variances involving unpredictable public processes and significant study expenses. These barriers often prevent shovel-ready status and cut off ideas before development begins.

Meeting Recap

5.a Deputation from Jayesh Parmar of the Owen Sound Cricket Team Re

Jay Parmar of the Owen Sound Cricket Team requested a dedicated cricket ground to support local growth and host tournaments, noting that current use of tennis courts is due to wet conditions elsewhere. Staff explained that capital costs for a new facility would be included in the December 2026 budget report rather than the current 2025 budget. A staff member indicated that the Mayor had recommended a staff report be prepared for the next meeting, while staff are currently working with the Director to explore temporary arrangements.

Team Noted That While They Currently Use Tennis Courts and Other Fields

Jay Parmar of the Owen Sound Cricket Team requested a dedicated cricket ground to support local growth and host tournaments. The team noted that while they currently use tennis courts and other fields, a permanent facility would reduce travel time and generate community revenue.

Cricket Group Seeks Dedicated Facility Space

The group presented their needs for a cricket facility, noting they currently play on available spaces like tennis courts due to wet ground conditions elsewhere. Staff explained that capital costs for a new space would be included in the December 2026 budget report rather than the current 2025 budget. The group was advised to book existing fields to ensure availability and insurance coverage, while staff will work with them to identify suitable locations and construction details for future capital investment.

speaker Speaker 03 Report Regarding Capital Projects Is Expected

A speaker Speaker 03 report regarding capital projects is expected in the December meeting for Council approval to identify implementation timing. In the interim, staff are working with the Director and OSDSS to explore temporary arrangements for space usage, including potential use of tennis courts or rollout mats, while noting that public interest in the sport is increasing.

5.b Deputation from Christine Hempel Re Providing Ideas for the Upcoming Zoning

Christine Hempel presented ideas for an upcoming zoning review aimed at fostering affordable housing development by smoothing municipal processes despite funding issues. A speaker Speaker 04 zoning in institutional and industrial areas creates barriers, recommending updates to bylaws to allow smaller-scale apartments as a condition for receiving provincial funds. Another suggestion involved waiving parking requirements for community living projects where residents do not drive and pre-approving small surgical sites to save costs. Heidi Jennen questioned the necessity of extensive studies like urban design assessments for small developments, arguing they add unnecessary cost and time without addressing affordable housing needs.

Zoning Barriers Hinder Affordable Housing Development

Christine Hempel presented ideas for an upcoming zoning review to foster affordable housing development. She explained that municipal actions can smooth processes despite upper-tier funding issues. When zoning supports a project, non-profits can access seed funding and avoid early costs. Conversely, if zoning does not support the plan, projects require amendments or variances involving unpredictable public processes and significant study expenses. These barriers often prevent shovel-ready status and cut off ideas before development begins.

speaker Speaker 05 for Parking Requirements

A speaker Speaker 06 committee could waive parking requirements for community living projects where residents do not drive, noting that planners often feel tied to strict bylaws. The discussion highlighted strategies such as reducing lot line setbacks and parking requirements on brownfield sites to make remediation financially feasible. The presentation proposed pre-approving small surgical sites and inviting landowners to upzone properties in anticipation of affordable housing needs rather than waiting for proposals. Another speaker Speaker 07 development examples like Saint Clair Place required zoning bylaw amendments processed under ninety days. Speaker 13 stated that the presentation would be considered feedback for the official plan update, noting that provincial planning changes now require more studies for employment lands and stormwater servicing.

Heidi Jennen Questions Necessity of Studies for Affordable Housing

Heidi Jennen questioned whether extensive studies like urban design and solar assessments are necessary for small developments where zoning is already in place, arguing that such requirements add unnecessary cost and time without addressing the core issue of affordable housing. She noted that while some municipalities require traffic studies even on transit lines with no parking, the current process does not foster development effectively. She emphasized that the upcoming zoning bylaw review offers a unique opportunity to change the system’s approach before the next review in five years, suggesting that pre-approving developments could remove steps and save money for the municipality.

6 PUBLIC FORUM

A public forum speaker Speaker 01 at Ryerson Park and Owen Heights Park, noting the absence of emergency signage and picnic tables. The speaker Speaker 08 committee consider requesting an emergency sign for the interim while renaming processes continue and urged consideration of age-friendly infrastructure needs during park refurbishment.

8.a.1 Report CS-25-061 from the Director of Community Services Re Request to

Council had received an application under policy CSO 87, which is the policy that deals with naming and renaming for city parks and facilities. That was the first application that we’ve had under the policy, and council considered a staff report CS 2047, and they directed the initiation of the renaming process. So there seems to be a bit of confusion about: doesn’t mean that the park’s been renamed, and no, it doesn’t. It means that we’ve embarked on the process that’s contemplated under that policy.

8.a.2 Report CS-25-062 from the Manager of Parks and Open Space Re

A speaker Speaker 02 the final concept layout for playgrounds at Owen Heights Park and Comeret Park following public input. The designs comply with CSA Z614-20 and AODA standards, incorporating accessibility features such as sensory play components and firm ground surfaces. Based on feedback from open houses and surveys, the final concepts include a composite play structure for Owen Heights and separate structures for Comeret to improve safety and flow. A speaker Speaker 09 in accordance with the report while seeking flexibility to address comments regarding component variation between junior and senior playsets. The motion was moved and carried.

Final Playground Concepts Approved for Owen Heights and Comeret

A speaker Speaker 02 the final concept layout for the playgrounds at Owen Heights Park and Comeret Park, following public input. The designs comply with CSA Z614-20 and AODA standards, incorporating accessibility features such as sensory play components and firm ground surfaces.

Discussion Covered Components Colors Budget Envelopes and Specific Questions About Benches

Discussion covered components, colors, budget envelopes, and specific questions about benches and tree planting.

8.b.1 Report CR-25-015 from the Community and Business Development Advisor Re Community

The Community and Business Development Advisor presented a mid-year update on contract accomplishments and recommended that Council receive the report for information purposes. The recommendation includes directing staff to prepare an application for an economic development funding opportunity in collaboration with Grey County and Georgian College. Staff will also develop an external relations and investment attraction plan to present before Council at a later date. A speaker Speaker 10 economic health and healthcare expansion, including expanding rural access to radiopharmaceutical medicine through partnerships with Bright Shores and Georgian College. Discussion was raised regarding the potential to apply for funding under a specific program stream targeting transformational projects to establish a local hub for treatment, research, education, and training in collaboration with Jordan College and Bright Shores.

Mid-year Update on Economic Development and Investment Attraction

The Community and Business Development Advisor presented a mid-year update on contract accomplishments over the last six months. The recommendation is to receive the report for information purposes and direct staff to lead preparation for an application to the Ontario Trade Impacted Communities Programme. Additionally, the recommendation includes applying in collaboration with Grey County and Georgian College to economic development funding opportunities, such as the new Rural Ontario Development Programme due September 25th. The update highlights strong working relationships built through a collaborative process involving storytelling about regional prosperity and partnerships. Key achievements include attending the Canadian Nuclear Isotope Council’s summit, where local expertise in medical isotopes was highlighted. The presentation emphasized the need to address community health aspects like childcare, housing, and transit as part of investment attraction goals. Staff will develop an 18-month external relations and investment attraction plan to present before council in September 2025.

Initiatives for Economic Health and Healthcare Expansion

A speaker Speaker 11 of initiatives including an economic health report card, expanding rural access to radiopharmaceutical medicine through partnerships with Bright Shores and Georgian College, supporting healthcare resiliency, and promoting the city as a natural incubator for creativity and innovation. The presentation highlighted recent achievements such as partnering with the Youth Climate Action Conference and being featured by Omers regarding work with the Southwestern Ontario Isotope Coalition. A request was made to apply for funding under the Trade Impacted Communities program, specifically targeting transformational projects between $2 million and $10 million to establish a local hub for treatment, research, education, and training in collaboration with Jordan College and Bright Shores.

Council Waives Notice for Bill 5 Report

Council received a development update noting 37 building permits, including conversions at Frost Manor and Breckinridge Ashcroft, and 241 new housing units added to the tax roll in six months of 2025. Council waived notice procedures to consider a motion for staff to provide a report on Bill 5 regarding its impact on municipalities by September.

Links

Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/committee-community-services/2025-06-25

Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/committee-community-services/2025-06-25

Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=cd76ed97-5e36-41dd-9131-ff0f639d622e

Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New Encoder_CS_2025-06-25-05-30.mp4