By Tessa Swanton (Townson),
Bruce Peninsula Press
A motion moved by Councillor Aman Sohrab was passed by Council on August 25 for the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula (MNBP) to contribute up to $5,000 for dredging of the channel in Stokes Bay adjacent to the municipal parkland at 67 Tamarac Road. The dredging project encompasses approximately 300 feet of shoreline – the Municipality owns a middle section. The proponent, a property owner fronting the channel is requesting financial assistance from other property owners along the channel.
Mark Coleman, Parks and Facilities Manager provided an overview of the project. He informed that an existing channel was dredged several years ago which has since filled with sediment and vegetative growth resulting in only 18 inches of water in the channel fronting the municipal parkland. A southeast portion of the channel was dredged in 2024 to a 6-foot depth which is the depth proposed for the remaining sections of the channel.
Coleman said, the plan is to “refresh the dredgings to allow motorized boat access in along the shoreline to potential lots.” He advised that there is no established hard boat ramp or dock, just a natural sloped shoreline into the water at the parkland. The Municipality cuts the parkland grass and supplies a few picnic tables; no other facilities are located on site. Coleman explained that the parkland potentially serves as water access for residents and exists due to fill from dredging 50 years ago.
A report from CAO, Peggy Van Mierlo-West, stated that the project will benefit multiple waterfront property owners including the Municipality. She confirmed that “dredging involves environmental, regulatory, and property considerations, including possible permitting under federal and provincial legislation like the Fisheries Act, Public Lands Act, and Canadian Navigable Waters Act.”
The Municipality’s involvement is contingent on all applicable approvals being obtained and Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) will be included in the permitting/consultation process. Staff will prepare a formal agreement with the proponent outlining proof of permits and insurance, scope of work, location, methods, timeline, and cost-share budget breakdown. Payment will only be made after the work is approved as satisfactory and municipal commitment does not represent an ongoing future obligation for dredging or maintenance.
Bruce County Planning Provides Planning 101 Session to Council
Bruce County Senior Planner, Jenn Burnett appeared before the MNBP Council on August 25 to provide planning information to Council. The presentation is the result of Council’s concern with becoming involved in planning applications too late in the planning process. This concern was prompted by a June 2025 decision to approve Green Acres subdivision on Simpson Avenue near Tobermory despite apprehensions with the file. Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson stated, “I think what we want is to get into this loop before it gets out of control somehow… I’m sure if we’d been [involved] back at the study stage then it probably would have been a lot different than it is… you would’ve got our feedback.”
Rejecting a planning application that is recommended for approval by a county planner may result in MNBP facing a costly appeal process at the Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT).
Burnett presented statistics to Council indicating 74 planning inquiries in 2024 and 31 to date in 2025. She said, “What these statistics do show is there is a healthy interest in development in Northern Bruce Peninsula. People are asking about development…subdivision development, lot creation, commercial uses, minor variances, building additions.” She described planning as “cyclical in nature” with many factors impacting development applications, such as the economy, as undertaking the planning process is expensive.
Burnett noted that subdivisions are limited to settlement areas as provincial policy restricts rural subdivision development. She advised that Bruce County policy would permit a maximum density of three lots from an original “say 100 acres.” Lack of full municipal services also limits lot development.
The application lifecycle was addressed by the planner, beginning with the initial inquiry followed by meetings with staff, application submission and circulation, then a public meeting. She said, “Applications are confidential and hypothetical – when submitting a plan of subdivision, it’ll take two years from the first meeting with staff until the time you submit your application – it can be an entirely different application by the time it is presented to Council.” Applications are only shared with Council upon completion.
The role of Council in the municipal planning process is to provide an independent review of the application as it’s presented. Council must consider public interest when making decisions. Burnett emphasized that Council shall “evaluate the applications on a planning merit, not emotional” which can be “hard when you have a number of residents in the room that are opposed to it.” Burnett described examples of someone living in MNBP for 30 years or someone moving from the city to embrace a quiet peaceful lifestyle and a 20-lot subdivision development being constructed nearby. These situations may invoke a “significant amount of anxiety” on homeowners resulting in a challenging decision for Council.
A valid planning reason is required for Council to refuse any planning application. Where planning staff make a recommendation for approval and Council rejects an application, MNBP would be required to hire an outside planner if the decision is appealed by the applicant.
Council to Consider Extending Paid Parking at McCurdy Drive Parking Lot in Lion’s Head
An email directed to Council requesting extension of the paid parking season for the McCurdy Drive parking lot, also known as the Lion’s Head Lookout parking lot, located off Moore Street, promoted Council’s consideration to amend the regulations. Currently, the paid parking program runs from May 15 to September 15 with online reservations required for this lot at least 24 hours in advance.
On February 24, 2025, Council amended the paid parking season to end on September 15 rather than October 15 based on input from an online public survey.
Mayor Milt McIver suggested extending the paid parking season at the McCurdy Drive parking lot until after Thanksgiving as it’s “very busy.” He noted that the parking lot is monitored by by-law staff. He said, “[the emailer’s] concern is that ratepayers are paying for something that hikers should pay for.” Presently, payments cease on September 15 although free parking reservations are still required.
A report from Chief By-law Officer, Carol Hopkins, suggests that paid parking reservations would be extended for Big Tub Road, Little Cove Road, and McCurdy Drive parking lots to October 15. Signage replacement costs are estimated at $1,259.00. Council is scheduled to review this potential amendment on September 8.
