By GPT-4 & Parth on 2025-10-17, City: Grimsby, View Transcript
A formal update on the Official Plan process (PA25-34) was presented alongside discussions of the Ginsby NextG Initiative, long-term strategic planning, and transit-oriented development. Procedural items were approved unanimously, the Official Plan update was received for information, and a portion of strategic planning was deferred to a future meeting, with public engagement emphasized through the Let’s Talk Grimsby platform.
1) Official Plan Process Update and Public Engagement - Timelines outlined: a draft by end October/early November; public engagement to follow; statutory public meeting anticipated in February or March; adoption report to council in May or June 2025. File: PA25-34 Official Plan Process Update. - Public engagement emphasis: "When we have finalized details of all of the engagement events, they will be on the Let's Talk Grimsby page. There'll be plenty of opportunity for people to get more informed about those events."
2) Ginsby NextG Initiative and Net-Zero Pathways - Harold Maddie presented NextG, stressing a simple sequence of actions and staying relevant to Grimsby’s current stage; motion to receive the presentation moved by Drew and seconded by Frank, and passed unanimously. - Related sustainability note: "As a country, we're not close to where other countries are, and we've got a huge distance to go."
3) Long-Term Strategic Planning and Hundred-Year Vision - Emphasis on a long-range planning horizon, including a "hundred-year plan" to guide growth and a culture of design excellence: "All that wonderful visioning is not something that we ourselves may experience. It's going to be for the next generation often that we'll reap the benefits of that thinking." - Focus on aligning departmental strategies with long-term priorities and making planning action-oriented.
4) Transit-Oriented Development and Greensby GO Station - Greensby GO Station identified as a major growth driver; emphasis on leveraging transit-oriented development to guide growth: "We could become a really important transit hub if we do it right." - Discussion tied to density management and community impact within a regional growth strategy.
5) Public Realm, Placemaking, and Human-Scale Design - Focus on walkable, human-scale urban design and prioritizing public spaces: "The public realm... is the commons where people give up their private space so that they can have this splendid common space," and "When we design things to the experience of a human being, we always get it right." - Call for authentic placemaking and avoiding car-dominated layouts in favor of mixed-use, adaptable spaces that foster belonging.
1) Approval of Agenda - Motion: "Resolve the agenda for the October 15, 2025, planning and development committee meeting be approved." - Outcome: Passed unanimously.
2) Approval of Previous Minutes - Motion: "Resolved that the minutes of September 17, 2025, planning and development committee meeting be received." - Outcome: Passed unanimously.
3) Official Plan Process Update - Motion: "Resolved that the report PA25-34 Official Plan Process Update dated October 15, 2025, be received for information." - Outcome: Passed unanimously.
4) Ginsby NextG Initiative – Presentation Receipt - Motion: Resolution to Receive the Presentation on the Ginsby NextG Initiative. - Outcome: Passed unanimously. (Moved by Drew; Seconded by Frank.)
5) Strategic Planning Discussion - Motion: Continuation of the strategic planning discussion (status update/deferred). - Outcome: Deferred to the next Planning and Development Committee meeting due to time constraints.
Notes: - Public engagement channels highlighted include the Let's Talk Grimsby page and public workshops such as charrettes.