There are three topics of interest in this week’s Town of Parry Sound council agenda.

4.1 – Steve Barnes, applicant for Hillcrest Ave. lot severance. 
Two letters of request for Council reconsideration of its recommended denial of severance.
I am at a bit of a loss to understand the argument here. The property owner is requesting to sever a piece of property that has a converted garage on it. It is very small and doesn’t meet the standards for property size and setbacks. They argue that they don’t intend to sell the severed property, but keep it as a rental property. But why the need to sever if it is a rental property. It is an expense to the owner with no obvious benefit, except to sell it. Property and housing in the town has become so ‘scarce’ that there is a business, and money to be made, by carving up properties into smaller and smaller sized lots. This potentially creates more housing but also creates issues with snow management, parking, ….
I think Council and Staff have made a decision of when too small, is too small.

4.4 to 4.8 – Letters Concerning Rabbit Canyon Trail and Property.
These letters concern the discussion(dispute?) between the Town and a Property Owner concerning the development on a lot that spans two branches of the Rotary Algonquin Regiment Fitness Trail. I have offered my analysis in an earlier post. My intent in that post was not to take a position on the issue but to encourage discussion and perhaps negotiation. We don’t need to create our own Middle East type situation where the sides don’t negotiate in good faith. A negotiation depends on reasonable expectations on both sides. The town owns the ‘hammer here. Without the proper permits the lot can’t be developed, so the Town needs to be sensitive. On the other hand, the Property Owner may need to realize that what they believe the lot is worth is unrealistic. Without an agreement there will be no development or settlement. I suspect that signs will be pulled down by people using the trails as quickly as they can be put up.
My suggestion to the letter writers would be to make a proposal on how to manage the situation. This not a ‘Just Say No’ situation. The rights of property owners need to be respected, but not indulged.

9.2.1 – 2020 Statement of Remuneration Paid to Council and Appointed Board Members.
Screen clip from agenda posted below.

9.2.2 – 2021 Operating Budget.
The draft budget is available through this link as a PDF, about 10MB.

Abridged Meeting Agenda

Closed Session
b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees, (Taxi License Appeal Hearing);

Public Meeting
Council will hold two public meetings to consider proposed Zoning By-law amendments under Section 34 of the Planning Act per the following: 

2.1 Z/21-02 – George Street (John Jackson Planner Inc. on behalf of Ravi Prasher)
The purpose of the first proposed Zoning By-law amendment is to change the zoning of the property from Residential Medium Density (R2) to Residential High Density (R3). The proposal is to create a 36-unit apartment building. 

2.2 – Z/21-01 – Louisa Street (John Jackson Planner Inc. on behalf of Kingshott and Hurd).
The purpose of the second proposed Zoning By-law amendment is to amend the S.P. 26.72 Zone to a Rural Residential zone and recognize a reduced lot frontage of 34 metres for two provisionally created lots along Louisa Street. A rezoning was a condition of consent for related application B/37A/37B/2020 (TPS) 

Correspondence
4.1 – Steve Barnes, applicant for Hillcrest Ave. lot severance.
 
Two letters of request for Council reconsideration of its recommended denial of severance. 

4.2 – Chris MacQuarrie, Natural Resources Canada Canadian Forest Service.
Research Project proposed for Killbear Provincial Park. 

4.3 – Peter Bethlenfalvy, Minister of Finance.
Funding of $5,000 to Parry Sound under the Ontario Cannabis Legalization Implementation Fund.
4.4 – Susanne Borup-Powell, Parry Sound Resident.
Support for Council’s position to deny construction of a vehicle bridge over the 

Fitness Trail.
4.5 – Stephen Heder, Parry Sound Resident.
Support for Council’s position to deny construction of a vehicle bridge over the Fitness Trail.

4.6 – Nancy Fraser, Parry Sound Resident.
Concerns with the posting of a “No Trespassing” Sign at Rabbit Canyon path.

4.7 – Carmen Quesnel, Parry Sound Resident.
Concerns with the posting of a “No Trespassing” Sign at Rabbit Canyon path. 

4.8 – Linda Chase, Pat Clarke, Don Brickett, Ray Brown, Rachel Brown, Pauline Brown, Renate Koslowski, John & Donna McGill.
Individual letters of the same text supporting Council’s position to deny construction of a vehicle bridge over the Fitness Trail. 

Deputations
None

Resolutions and Direction to Staff
9.2.1 – 2020 Statement of Remuneration Paid to Council and Appointed Board Members.

Resolution
That the 2020 Statement of Remuneration Paid to Council and Appointed Board Members, attached as Schedule “A”, be accepted. 

9.2.2 – 2021 Operating Budget.
Resolution

That the 2021 Operating Budget as amended, be approved; and
That the Budget By-law be submitted to the April 20th, 2021 Council meeting for ratification. 

By-laws
Only a confirming by-law for the proceedings.