Barrie councillors consider updates to zoning bylaw amidst housing shortfall
Barrie city councillors are getting a look at some potential opportunities to increase local housing supply amidst an ongoing housing crisis.
City staff have presented the latest draft of their updated zoning bylaw for the city. Staff has been looking for new ways to address the affordability challenges facing many owners and tenants as demand for housing continues to outpace supply.
- Download the CTV News app free to get local news alerts
- Don't miss breaking news - Sign up for the CTV Newsletter
Amongst the recommendations is increasing densification by permitting the construction of any type of building in any neighbourhood throughout the city. While this would be a way to increase the number of units in Barrie, the mayor has long argued that the character of certain neighbourhoods must be maintained.
"For me, when I look at the City of Barrie and how I would like it to grow, I'd like it to grow through the process of intensification nodes," Nuttall said to CTV News, saying he's in favour of increasing housing stock in areas near transit hubs. "It allows the city to grow up and to grow in a way that doesn't overly influence entire regions of the city."
Another change being proposed is reducing the number of new parking spaces that are required with new builds. According to the staff report, this would preserve land to be used for new units as opposed to parking and encourage more to use the transit system.
However, the mayor expects much debate amongst councillors on this idea in the coming months, arguing that many existing neighbourhoods already need more parking. Nuttall says reducing parking would only make sense on a case-by-case basis.
TRANSIT CHANGES
During Wednesday's Finance and Responsible Governance Committee meeting, councillors gave initial approval to update the transfer policy for Barrie Transit riders.
Once fully approved, the motion, brought forward by councillor Sergio Morales, will see Barrie Transit adopt a 90-minute 'time-based' transfer system, replacing the current 75-minute continuous trip option available to riders.
Morales' goal is to increase flexibility options for users, which he hopes will increase ridership in the long term.
"I think this is a positive step forward," said committee chair Gary Harvey. "[Sergio] and I had some discussions along with the director of transit in regards to, is 90 enough? But I think this is a good start, see what the potential financial impact is, and then, who knows, we may even see something bigger and better in the future."
LOBBYIST REGISTRY
Sitting as general committee, Barrie councillors also made a small amendment to the upcoming lobbyist registry, which was first approved earlier this spring.
Councillors have clarified the definition of who the new lobbyist registry will apply to, which will include virtually any special interest group. Once in place, all lobbyists would be required to register discussions with the city, which would be available through a publicly accessible database.
"Once people know meetings take place, then they can hold the city accountable," Nuttall said to CTV News. "We shouldn't be putting the city and its population in a position where they have to chase members of council or chase members of the senior personnel of the City of Barrie to find out who's influencing them. It should be easily understood."
INCREASING RENTAL SUPPLY
Wednesday's meeting came on the same day the Ontario government announced its plans to move ahead with previously announced plans to remove its portion of the tax on rental developments. The goal is to encourage developers to build more rental developments.
While welcoming the news, arguing Barrie needs more purpose-built rentals, he says it is critical to remember that this is just one part of the current housing crisis.
"I think that the greatest opportunity that exists for kids like I was, coming out of government housing, is the chance to get into home ownership and feel the security of that with a roof over one's heads, and if we breed a generation of renters we're breeding a generation that is paying somebody else's mortgage," Nuttall said.
There was also a discussion Wednesday centred around the city's ongoing negotiations with the YMCA of Simcoe Muskoka for a new home on the property where the Sadlon Arena is. Those conversations continue to be held confidentially until the negotiations are finalized.
Councillors will sit as city council next Wednesday, Nov. 8.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6974402.1721752977!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Laws that could get Canadians in trouble in tourism hotspots
There are some laws in popular tourist destinations around the world that could land Canadian travellers in mild-to-serious trouble if they're not careful. Don't let these local laws land you in hot water during your next vacation abroad.
Edmonton gas station employee found guilty of terrorism charges in the U.K.
An Edmonton man has been convicted of multiple charges under the Terrorism Act in the United Kingdom.
BREAKING Polar bear at Calgary Zoo died by drowning following 'crushing' injury
The Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo has revealed the cause of death for polar bear Baffin last week.
U.S. Secret Service director resigns after Trump assassination attempt
The director of the Secret Service resigned Tuesday in the aftermath of the assassination attempt against former U.S. President Donald Trump that unleashed an outcry about how the agency failed in its core mission to protect current and former presidents.
Quebec mom devastated after man who killed her daughter in hit-and-run gets out after 5 months
A Montreal-area mother is furious with Quebec's justice system because the man who killed her 25-year-old daughter in a 2022 hit-and-run was released from jail after only serving one-sixth of his sentence behind bars.
Waterloo, Ont. woman out thousands for car totalled by stolen hit-and-run driver
A woman in Waterloo, Ont. is out thousands of dollars for a car crash she wasn’t involved in.
DEVELOPING Jasper evacuees forced into B.C. to flee fires told to make U-turn to Alberta for aid
Thousands of wildfire evacuees forced from Jasper National Park into British Columbia along smoke-choked mountain roads Monday night were directed Tuesday to make a wide U-turn and head home if they needed a place to stay.
Keanu Reeves explains why he's always thinking about death
Keanu Reeves is aging like the rest of us. And for that reason, 'The Matrix' has shared, mortality has been on his mind.
Do you need a lawyer when making a will in Canada?
Many people believe that creating a will requires the services of a lawyer, but this isn't always the case. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew explains a lawyer's role when crafting your last will and testament.