Parry Sounds ~ Ideas and Opinions, In and Around Parry Sound

Oh boy, we have an interesting agenda this week. After dealing with the many issues that face them this week Council will have earned a couple extra weeks off.

Where to start? There is a request (Item 2.1.1) to convert a single unit house into a duplex with the neighbourhood vociferously objecting (4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.10, 4.11). Drainage is on the agenda (9.3.1) with more letters from the parties involved (4.7, 4.8, 4.12) and an interesting revelation regarding lot services. Parking is on the agenda again (9.1.3), this time related to cash in lieu of parking spots to permit the retrofitting of a downtown building to provide three new apartments.

There is quite a bit of money being spent, in total about $380,000, for an ice resurfacer at the Bobby Orr Community Centre (9.5.2), monument restoration at Hillcrest Cemetery (9.5.1), and the big one, replacement of the retaining wall at the fire hall (9.2.1)

There is also the suggestion that the condo/marina development on Emily Street is dead (10.1.2) based on the developer’s comments to the Town.

There is more, but this should be more than enough to get your attention. I suspect there will be a number of presentation/deputations related to these items that should make for an interesting session.

In a little more detail:

2.1 – Public Meeting. Rezoning 2 Avenue Road. The owners of 2 Avenue Road are requesting rezoning of their property to allow for the conversion of their single family home into a duplex. There seems to be considerable controversy concerning the impact this will have on the local neighbourhood. The letters in the agenda package opposing the rezoning offer considerable perspective on the matter and there surely will be presentations by some of the area residents.

9.1.3 – Resolution. This concerns a request for the Town to forgo, or reduce the amount of, the normal cash in lieu of parking spots for a three unit apartment conversion at 34 Seguin Street. The Town is proposing the developer pay the usual fee.

9.2.1 – Resolution. A recommendation that the Town awards the tender to Fowler Construction for the replacement of the fire hall retaining wall. The cost is $242,785. I’m still disappointed that the Town is required to make the replacement. What is the cause of the failure of the original wall – design, installation or maintenance?

9.3.1 – Resolution. Lot Drainage Isabella / Marion Streets. The Town is punting on this one and telling the parties that any problems are a civil matter and the Town won’t intervene. Nonetheless the Town is considering certain culvert upgrades in the area the cost of which the Town proposes will be shared by the Town and the owner of the property at 47 Marion Street. Expect at least one unscheduled deputation in addition to the letters included in the Council package.

9.5.1 – Resolution. The awarding of a tender to Sanderson Monument to repair and restore monuments at Hillcrest Cemetery. The cost is $38,000 and represents the first of a multi-year investment.

9.5.2 – Resolution. Ice resurfacer, Bobby Orr Community Centre. The cost is about $80,000 with the existing machine to provide service at the Kinsmen arena.

10.1.2 – By-law. Repeal of Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with DDMJ Construction. The original MOU concerned a major condominium development on Emily Street that would have required use of Town parking and waterlot areas. DDMJ Construction have stated that they intend to sell the property. Not a surprise, the market for condominiums is soft and there is a real challenge in servicing the property.

As always here is more than what has been covered in this post. Head over to the Town’s website and take a look at the agenda in full (it’s a three parter), which includes the briefing documents. See you Tuesday night. I expect I’ll be there through the end to see how things are decided.

Drunk 1, Drunk 2 – Woo-Hoo! (Parry Sound in Black & White)

‘Clic on the Pic’ for a more detailed view.