Maitland Playground Replacement Deferred — Owen Sound Committee - Community Services Transcript — May 21, 2025

One-Sentence Summary

Council heard Dave Aston Planning Presentation Discussion Overview Official Zoning Bylaw review updates, considered staff proposal amendments for accessory units through standardization practices, and carried a motion notice regarding parking enforcement at Julian MacArthur starting 2026 during this meeting.

Whole Meeting Summary

Dave Aston from MHBC Planning presented an overview of a discussion paper regarding the official plan review, zoning bylaw review, and new urban design guidelines for the city, providing context on municipal planning initiatives without constituting a Council decision or formal motion. A speaker Speaker 01 have not been significant amendments to the Official Plan, noting that staff worked with industry to interpret and implement the plan in positive ways while supporting growth during this discussion regarding official plan implementation and the potential for a five-year update on the agenda. A speaker Speaker 02 review updates including evolving East City commercial policies, significant employment area definition changes from provincial mandates, Cinnamon Heights planning adjustments, cultural heritage protections, complete application conformity, and examination of specific zoning bylaw regulations regarding drive-through permissions and site triangles without requiring general format modifications. City staff presented a proposal to amend the existing 2010 zoning bylaw instead of creating a new one, focusing on design guidelines for residential, commercial, and industrial areas, accessory residential units, standardized provisions, small project best practices, public engagement via surveys and open houses, draft documents in summer, and final recommendations to council in late 2025. Manager Brady Carbert presented the 2026-2030 multi-year capital plan for Community Services, outlining a review of $5.1 million in funded projects across 64 items and identifying $16.8 million in unfunded needs while highlighting a strategic shift toward asset maintenance over new construction and discussing software implementation challenges. The Chief Building Official provided a memorandum regarding an April 2025 update that included reported permit issuance for 224 rental units at the BCK site and noted a zoning amendment application for a new school scheduled for a June public meeting, while noting that the motion to receive information items was not carried. Council waived the notice of motion clause to consider a matter immediately when a member moved that staff develop recommendations for additional parking enforcement at the Julian MacArthur Regional Recreation Centre starting in 2026 through the budgeting process, and the committee carried this motion.

Most Newsworthy Items

• St. George's Field Accessibility Ramp and Washroom Plan: Staff explained that capital project prioritization balances a priority matrix focusing on people, health and safety, and legislation against operational needs and third-party obligations like the Bayshore Ice Resurface Replacement Project. A 2023 project at St. George's Field completed an accessibility ramp and fencing while planning utility upgrades and a locked portable washroom to minimize vandalism. Security protocols for the new facility will mirror those used at Owen Sound High School, where Fairmount Security manages access and locking.
• Staff Outlines Next Steps for Capital Report and Software Updates: Staff confirmed that feedback gathered during the presentation will be taken to committee on June 23rd, with a finalized report expected in July and an update to council scheduled for December. The team addressed concerns regarding inconsistent project scoring in legacy worksheets, noting that new project management software will standardize assessments and improve accessibility features like screen reader compatibility. Staff also outlined plans to refine the natural burial site layout and determine costs before seeking broader public engagement if necessary.
• Committee Discusses ARU Regulations and Resident Concerns: The committee discussed preparing regulations for Additional Residential Units (ARUs) within the general provisions section of the bylaw to permit them in zones R1, R2, and R3 with specific criteria. A speaker clarified that ARUs are additional residential units allowed on residential properties. Another resident expressed confusion regarding how to distinguish between apartment buildings and other housing types when viewing century homes.
• Manager Carbert Presents 2026-2030 Capital Plan: Manager Brady Carbert presented the 2026 to 2030 multi-year capital plan for Community Services, outlining a process to review funded and unfunded projects totaling $5.1 million and $16.8 million respectively. The committee will provide feedback to Council by June 23rd regarding potential additions, deletions, or amendments to the plan.

Meeting Recap

Overview of Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Review

Dave Aston from MHBC Planning presented an overview of a discussion paper regarding the official plan review, zoning bylaw review, and new urban design guidelines for the city.

Discussion Regarding Official Plan Implementation and the Potential for a Five-year Update

A speaker Speaker 01 have not been significant amendments to the Official Plan, noting that staff worked with industry to interpret and implement the plan in positive ways while supporting growth.

Official Plan Review Updates and Employment Area Changes

A speaker Speaker 06 the Official Plan review, noting evolving policies for East City commercial studies and significant changes to employment area definitions from provincial policy. The review will address outdated Cinnamon Heights planning areas, cultural heritage protections, and conformity exercises regarding complete applications. Zoning bylaw schedules generally require no format changes, though specific regulations like drive-through permissions and site triangles will be examined.

5.a Presentation from Dave Aston MHBC Planning Re Discussion Paper for the

City staff presented a proposal to amend the existing 2010 zoning bylaw instead of creating a new one. The update focuses on design guidelines for residential, commercial, and industrial areas, as well as accessory residential units. Staff clarified that specific provisions will be standardized while small project guidelines will serve as best practices. Public engagement through surveys and open houses is planned, with draft documents expected in summer and final recommendations to council in late 2025.

Urban Design Guidelines Amend 2010 Zoning Bylaw

A representative explained that urban design guidelines will amend the current 2010 zoning bylaw rather than replacing it entirely. The proposal aims to clarify development expectations for infill projects and sites under ten units without altering the general zone structure or schedules. Staff confirmed that while most zones remain defined as they are, modifications may address employment area classifications. Councillors questioned the retention of R1 and R2 residential zones given new accessory apartment policies, seeking clarification on how these functional changes reconcile with existing definitions.

Committee Discusses ARU Regulations and resident Speaker 07 discussed preparing regulations for Additional Residential Units (ARUs) within the general provisions section of the bylaw to permit them in zones R1, R2, and R3 with specific criteria. A speaker Speaker 04 are additional residential units allowed on residential properties. Another resident Speaker 05 how to distinguish between apartment buildings and other housing types when viewing century homes.

Council Discusses ARU Definitions and Provincial Legislation

Council discussed the definition of Additional Residential Units (ARUs) and the potential abolition of R1 and R2 zones to increase density. Staff explained that while urban design guidelines for small developments are best practices rather than mandatory requirements, they aim to minimize incomplete applications. The committee also addressed upcoming provincial legislation changes and confirmed their timeline allows sufficient time to incorporate new laws into official plans before fall adoption.

8.a.2 Report CR-25-067 from the Manager of Corporate Services Re 2026-2030 Multi-year

Manager Brady Carbert presented the 2026-2030 multi-year capital plan for Community Services, outlining a review of $5.1 million in funded projects across 64 items and identifying $16.8 million in unfunded needs. The presentation highlighted a strategic shift toward asset maintenance over new construction, discussed software implementation challenges, and addressed public questions regarding playground open houses and budget constraints affecting park allocations.

Manager Carbert Presents 2026-2030 Capital Plan

Manager Brady Carbert presented the 2026 to 2030 multi-year capital plan for Community Services, outlining a process to review funded and unfunded projects totaling $5.1 million and $16.8 million respectively. The committee will provide feedback to Council by June 23rd regarding potential additions, deletions, or amendments to the plan.

Discussion on Increasing Funding for Asset Management and Unfunded Projects

A speaker Speaker 08 increase in funding levels to better match service requirements for core and non-core assets. The presentation noted that over ninety percent of listed projects focus on asset management activities like replacement and rehabilitation rather than new construction. Significant unfunded projects exist, including potential additions such as arena generators and Bayshore parking lot paving. The 2026 to 2030 multi-year capital plan was referenced, noting a resolution regarding attachment number two in the capital detail sheets.

New Software Automates Capital Projects and Speaker 09 explained that new project management software automates capital detail sheets with mandatory fields and built-in approval steps to reduce manual work. Two playground open houses for projects approved in 2024 and 2025 are not included in the 2026 to 2030 plan because managers have up to two years to complete previously approved work. A lower budget allocation for St. Julian's Park resulted from exhausting available funds within the existing capital envelope before rebalancing priorities.

11.e Memorandum from the Chief Building Official Re April 2025 Update

The Speaker 10 reported issuing permits for 224 rental units at the BCK site and noted a zoning amendment application for a new school with a June public meeting. A motion to receive information items was not carried.

13 NOTICES OF MOTION

Council waived the notice of motion clause to consider a matter immediately. A member moved that staff develop recommendations for additional parking enforcement at the Julian MacArthur Regional Recreation Centre starting in 2026 through the budgeting process, and the committee carried this motion.

Links

Read full transcript: https://helpos.ca/transcripts/owen-sound/committee-community-services/2025-05-21

Agenda page: https://helpos.ca/agendas/owen-sound/committee-community-services/2025-05-21

Official meeting page: https://pub-owensound.escribemeetings.com/MeetingsCalendarView.aspx/Meeting?Id=a9bfba94-3a23-455d-9cbf-dfc1f15d9fe7

Original video: https://video.isilive.ca/owensound/New%20Encoder_CS_2025-05-21-05-30.mp4