During Smiths Falls’ council meeting on Monday evening, Councilor Jay Brennan discussed a recent meeting of the Planning Advisory Committee. 

“On June 13, Councilor [Stephen] Robinson and I attended a Planning Advisory Committee meeting – the first one that took place in a live forum.” Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, PAC meetings went virtual in 2020. Phase 3 of the town hall reconstruction took place during and following pandemic restrictions, but the newly completed town hall is open and busy with meetings. 

On June 13, the public Planning Advisory Committee meeting was held at town hall, where there was “an exciting proposal and a full audience, with residents interested in the project,” Councilor Brennan said. This was a public meeting to consider a zoning amendment to allow a mixed-use building to be built at 1-3 George Street with two commercial spaces and 36 residential units. This space is at the corner of George Street and Main Street West.

“This is an infamous corner that has been derelict and forgotten for 25 or 30 years,” said Brennan, “It’s quite an exciting project. The developer is planning a really nice site.” 

Councilor Brennan was pleased that the meeting saw so many involved attendees, residents with “various concerns and great questions.” 

Although public meetings are now being held in person, they continue to be broadcast live for more fulsome engagement and accessibility. The PAC meeting from June 13 is available on the town of Smiths Falls’ YouTube channel. 

That amendment will come to council in the near future, Brennan added, but he wanted to share with council the positive and large community response. 

“It was really a great meeting, and really nice to have all the seats filled.”

Article by Janelle Labelle