Barrie Downtown Neighbourhood Association

Long Term Planning Committee Meeting

Minutes – Wednesday February 4, 2010

Location: Barrie City Hall – Sir Robert Barrie Room

Meeting began @ 7p.m

-         The meeting began with discussions about various examples of variations in zoning as  to what was permissible or not, regarding modification to properties, rooming houses, boarding houses, duplexes, triplexes, etc.

-         Currently, variances can be applied for to the City and variances may be granted or refused, but apparently only on the basis of what is current law.  What is good and safe for the neighbourhood is apparently, at present, not relevant.

-         A general meeting for the BDNA regarding Property Standards is being planned, with a time and place yet to be arranged. 

-         Councillor Lehman educated those in attendance, as to the definition of rooming and boarding houses and the like, and how they are currently being dealt with.  He also went on further to discuss the various types of zoning and what they included and excluded.

-         It was suggested that a minimum separation distance should be required between similar uses to prevent bunching of certain types of use.

-         It was discussed that a maximum of a 90 day window be applied to correct violations.

-         Consensus was that it is time to encourage Council to instruct the Property Standards department to pro- actively enforce the by-laws involving property standards and uses.

-         In summary a number of concerns and possible solutions were put forward and considered, but nothing was resolved at this time, pending more input from the public at large.

-         We are pushing forward with the Youth Group Program, in an effort to include young people in our planning and discussions, because youth involvement is a key element in developing a better ambiance in the downtown core.

-         There are a number of committees and associations involved in specific concepts of our downtown core.  We feel that if we work co-operatively, we should be able to achieve our respective goals.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. 

The next meeting will take place on Wednesday March 03/10, from 7p.m to 9p.m