From smoking restrictions and supports for young families to development approvals and zoning changes, Perth councillors tackled a wide range of issues during their June 9 committee of the whole meeting. Council also declined to endorse a high-speed rail advocacy motion, opting instead to receive the information without taking a position.
Perth to re-examine smoking bylaw
Perth council has asked staff to review the town’s smoking bylaw following a presentation from resident Tim Holmes.
Holmes, who lives beside a shared town-owned green space near a new apartment development on Halton Street, said recent intensification has doubled the number of households in the area and raised concerns about second-hand smoke, fire safety and conflicts in the common area. He asked council to study prohibiting smoking on the municipal green space and noted that several neighbouring municipalities already ban smoking on municipally owned land.
Coun. Isabel McRae and Coun. Gary Waterfield supported having staff review the issue. Director of Development Services Joanna Bowes said a potential bylaw amendment would require consultation across several departments and could also involve reviewing existing common-area agreements. A motion directing staff to report back with recommendations was approved.
Perth to explore support for families with young children
Perth council has directed staff to follow up on a resident’s request for expanded programming and resources for children under the age of five.
In a submission to council, resident Danica Vidotto said families with toddlers and preschool-aged children have limited access to regular drop-in play opportunities, social development programs and caregiver supports in town. She suggested expanding access to existing facilities, increasing family swim opportunities, creating additional indoor play programs and improving coordination of community spaces for year-round early years programming.
Coun. Isabel McRae suggested exploring intergenerational programs involving local seniors’ residences, noting such initiatives can benefit both children and older adults.
Committee recommended, and council approved, directing staff to contact Vidotto to discuss existing local resources and identify ways families with children under five can be better supported in Perth.
Council declines to endorse high-speed rail advocacy motion
Perth council has opted not to endorse a motion supporting a proposed high-speed rail route along Highway 401 and a stop in Kingston, instead receiving the matter for information only.
Coun. Gary Waterfield introduced a motion backing the Corridor Train Alliance’s efforts to have any future Toronto-Ottawa-Montreal high-speed rail line routed along the Highway 401 corridor rather than through rural Eastern Ontario communities. The motion also called for a financial contribution to support the alliance’s advocacy work.
Several councillors questioned whether Perth should take a position on the issue. McRae pointed to alternative proposals involving high-frequency rail, while Deputy Mayor Ed McPherson said, “It’s not our job to get into this.”
Coun. Jim Boldt and Mayor Judy Brown also opposed endorsing the motion. Following discussion, Waterfield agreed to amend his proposal, and council voted to receive the information without taking further action.
Perth approves condominium exemption for Cockburn Street development
Perth council has unanimously supported a request to exempt a proposed townhouse development at 64-72 Cockburn St. from the standard condominium approval process.
The project, which includes six townhouse units and four additional residential units, has already undergone public consultation through a zoning bylaw amendment process. Staff said the exemption will help streamline approvals by avoiding a second public process covering issues that have already been reviewed.
Director of Development Services Joanna Bowes told committee the developer requested the condominium exemption because “public meetings have occurred and people have had their chance to have a say.”
The development will consist of freehold townhouse units that share private water and sewer services through a parcel-of-tied-land arrangement, which still requires condominium-related approvals from Lanark County.
Council’s motion supporting the exemption passed unanimously.
Perth zoning bylaw nearing finish line
Perth’s new zoning bylaw is nearly complete, but council is delaying final approval to allow for a few last-minute revisions and additional feedback from developers.
Forbes Symon, senior planner with consultant Jp2g, said the draft bylaw is “99 per cent complete” following months of public meetings, open houses and consultations.
The bylaw will replace the town’s existing zoning rules with a modernized framework reflecting provincial legislation and local planning priorities. Most public feedback resulted in minor adjustments involving additional residential units, parking standards, storage containers and industrial zoning.
Symon also highlighted the impact of Bill 98, which now permits residential lots as small as 1,900 square feet.
“I’ve never endorsed a lot that small in an urban context. And it is now the law of the land,” he said.
The draft also acknowledges that zoning for the former Perth Golf Course lands remains before the Ontario Land Tribunal.
Because discussions continue with representatives of the Perthmore subdivision, Symon recommended one more round of review before council considers final adoption.
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