Town Council

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Saugeen Shores is once again reviewing and developing its Official Plan with the assistance of consultant Jim Dyment of Meridian Planning Consultants and through a series of three public meeting workshops.

The last Official Plan was adopted by Town Council in 2006 and is to be reviewed at least once every five years as directed by the Province.  The review incorporates key objectives such as ensuring growth and development is accompanied by cultural, social, environmental and economic benefits, promoting compact development and intensification and preserving the identity and diversity of the communities.

The review also has to comply with the Planning Act, the Provincial Policy Statement, the County of Bruce Official Plan and eliminate policies that are not effective.

The first public meeting workshop was held June 8 despite a severe thunderstorm and extensive power outage that resulted in very poor attendance.

The next meeting, held July 20th, saw more than 40 residents and several councilors turn out to take part.  Participants identified several areas they wanted to see addressed, including transportation, the protection of the natural environment, encourage development of the arts and culture and providing affordable housing.

While many aspects were discussed and brought into the 'visioning' workshop, the one main thread that wove itself through the entire group was the desire to  "maintain the uniqueness of each of the three communities, Southampton, Port Elgin and Saugeen Township, that make up Saugeen Shores". 

One participant said that it was also "...crucial to prevent urban sprawl along the Highway 21 corridor."

Many also voiced their concerns that Official Plans treat communities within an amalgamation as one entity.  "Often in an amalgamated municipality," said Dyment, "there is an acceptance of oneness and neighbourhoods."  Tim Anderson of Southampton however, stressed that the two communities of Port Elgin and Southampton and their commercial districts are " ... very different and very distinct.  What works for one may not work for the other."

Given the seasonal nature of the municipality, Ken Robertson of the Southampton Residents Association, recommended that the final session which is planned for March should be put over until July.  "There are many residents who go south and who are not here in March and, in addition, summer property owners are also not here at that time of year to take part which effectively eliminates a large part of the population."

The next workshop will be held September 15, followed up by two more workshops and a statutory public meeting.

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Sunday, July 24, 2011