A pair of public meetings, more bike lanes, as well as closer look at heritage buildings in Allandale are all on council's agenda for Monday night's general committee meeting at Barrie City Hall.
City staff will make a presentation regarding the proposal of a new community improvement plan, which would offer financial incentives for affordable housing, brownfield redevelopments and mixed-use projects within the urban growth centre and strategic growth areas around Barrie. The new plan would also better align with council's strategic priorities.
Council will discuss a sustainable development strategy, which would act as a foundational document for the new Official Plan and urban-design guidelines.
In a staff report, general manager of infrastructure and growth management Andrea Miller outlined some of the reasoning behind the new strategy.
"Municipalities are becoming increasingly mindful of the sustainability of their communities as public concern continues to grow over the present and future challenges of climate change, changes in our economic systems, changing demographics, continued migration and population growth, pressures on the natural ecological system, rising oil and energy costs, and increases in severe weather events," Miller said.
"Sustainability in the context of cities refers to the capacity to endure these challenges and disturbances, while ensuring that the current and future functioning of the city is not jeopardized," she added.
The strategy would be divided into five themes, including urban lifestyle, natural systems, economic prosperity, inclusive community, and civic spirit.
"As a community, we face a number of challenges related to sustainability," said Miller, citing areas such as planing for rapid growth (210,000 people calling the city home by 2031), mobility, climate change, global economy, diversity and health.
Also on the agenda:
CUMBERLAND STREET HERITAGE: An application to rezone several properties along Cumberland Street for commercial use could be put on hold until a heritage impact study can be completed. The existing homes in the Allandale area would be preserved until the study is complete. Those properties include 9, 11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 27 and 31 Cumberland St., between Essa Road and William Street.
JUMPSTARTING ESSA ROAD: In a related staff report, the city is moving closer to completing zoning-bylaw amendments along the Essa Road corridor in an effort to jumpstart development in certain areas, as previously reported this summer by BarrieToday. Those properties include 550 and 552 Essa Rd., at Mapleton Avenue, as well as 175 and 199 Essa Rd., which is the former fairgrounds site at Highway 400.
LIFE ON A BIKE: Councillors will review ways to bolster the city's active transportation strategy, including 'road diets' or lane reductions along Dean Avenue between Big Bay Point Road and Mapleview Drive East, as well as along Livingstone Street East between Cundles Road East and Stanley Street. Urban shoulders could also be added along Marsellus Drive, between Mapleton Avenue and Mapleview Drive West, as well as along Mapleton Avenue, between Ardagh Road and Essa Road. Bicycle lanes could be installed along St. Vincent Street, between Hanmer to Livingstone streets, in addition to buffered bicycle lanes along Tiffin Street between Ferndale Drive to Essa Road.
CLAPPTERTON STREET HISTORY: An application from the property owners to add 94 Clapperton St., located in downtown Barrie south of Wellington Street, to the municipal heritage registry.
NO PARKING: Council will look at parking prohibitions in three areas of the city, including in the vicinity of 125 Huronia Rd., between Little and Burton avenues, as well as on Steel and Rodney streets near Steele Street Public School. The third location would see parking restrictions on one side of Rodney Street between Blake Street and Kempenfelt Drive.
SOUTHSHORE PARKING TICKETS: Parking tickets at the Southshore Centre could soon be a thing of the past for service club members and volunteer appreciation events that use the Lakeshore Drive facility.
EDGEHILL PROJECT: Council will hear a presentation from Goodreid Planning Group for a zoning-bylaw amendment application for a property at 264 Edgehill Dr. The landowner is requesting the zoning change to make way for a four-unit dwelling on the property located near Ferndale Drive.
CANNABIS CULTIVATORS: Councillors will look at a zoning-bylaw amendment for proposed changes related to cannabis production facilities, including the definitions of manufacturing and processing, while removing mentions of 'medicinal marijuana' from the city bylaw.
