Engage Barrie
- May 18, 2022
- 2 min read

Council Follow-up, week of May 16

A presentation by the MacLaren Art Centre, and a great conversation about affordable housing issues (and solutions).

Circulation List: https://barrie.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?ID=953328&GUID=05ACF8DC-60FA-44B6-805B-0599A99C4C18&Options=info|&Search=

City Council

Minutes: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=913806&GUID=60C8D88A-9CE1-488C-99A6-11273FF5B493

Watch again: https://youtu.be/dz9fzzpDiKk

Agenda: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=913806&GUID=60C8D88A-9CE1-488C-99A6-11273FF5B493

Engage's Summary: https://www.engagebarrie.org/post/city-council-monday-may-16-7pm

As expected after last week's speedy meeting, the items approved in General Committee were all given final approval at Council. There was also one direct motion put forward to allow an agreement with FedDev to receive funding to complete a Sport Tourism Strategy.

The main focus, though, was the presentation by the MacLaren Art Centre, given by Lisa Daniels (Director/Curator) and Michael MacMillan (Board Chair / President). It was disappointing to hear certain councillors' (willful?) misunderstanding of the presentation, and discrediting of the presentation and organization – all the while making it clear that they have no understanding of the arts world (yet believe they can tell the professionals they're wrong). It was another discouraging example of these councillors not taking the time to learn about something, before arrogantly telling the experts how to do their jobs.

Planning Committee

Minutes: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=M&ID=913807&GUID=7E0ECDB3-465F-4063-A371-DC8121A54389

Watch Again: https://youtu.be/Foxx4-tN1h4

Agenda: https://barrie.legistar.com/View.ashx?M=A&ID=913807&GUID=7E0ECDB3-465F-4063-A371-DC8121A54389

Engage's Summary: https://www.engagebarrie.org/post/planning-committee-tuesday-may-17-7pm

There were two public meetings for residential developments in Ward 2 – the first a 2-tower apartment building (26 storeys and 30 storeys) on Bradford and a 12-storey unit on Collier. It was interesting to note that there was only one member of the public speaking at each public meeting, and they were both approving of the development, but had a few concerns they wished to have address. In our eyes, this is a sure sign of developers working WITH the residents already in the area, to address concerns before even bringing the proposal to Planning Committee. These developers showed respect for the public, did their best to alleviate concerns, and seemed to genuinely care about how their developments fit in the neighbourhood. We would love to see more of this!

N.Harris held the 2021 Affordable Housing Monitoring Report and Affordable Housing Strategy Update, saying she had been thinking of presenting a motion, but was just going to open up the discussion instead. This led to a great conversation about housing and affordable housing issues, with some great questions posed by her, Aylwin, and Riepma – well worth a watch!