Residents Raise Permit, Encampment & Infrastructure Concerns at City Council 'Public Forum'
Concerns about permit enforcement, follow-up on complaints, and infrastructure maintenance were raised at council, alongside public input supporting safer cycling infrastructure on 4th Avenue West.
Two Owen Sound residents used the public forum at Monday’s council meeting to raise concerns about building permits, encampments, infrastructure maintenance, and road design.
Questions About Permits and Follow-Up
Owen Sound resident Doug Murdock told council he had raised concerns with staff about renovation work taking place without visible building permits at two separate locations in the city.
He said neighbours first noticed work underway at a property at 9th Avenue East and 20th Street East without a posted permit. After contacting the City’s building department, he was told no permit had been issued at that time. He said he later spoke with a building inspector but said he did not receive a clear explanation.
Murdock also described a second renovation project at 10th Street West and 6th Avenue West, where he said a permit had been issued but was not posted on site.
In both cases, he questioned why work appeared to proceed without visible permits.
Encampments and Property Standards Concerns
Murdock also raised concerns about encampments along the rail trail near 26th Street, describing the area as “a mess” and asking whether the City was responsible for cleanup.
He said he had previously contacted bylaw enforcement but had not received a response.
Council did not address the specific questions raised. Mayor Ian Boddy directed the resident to use the City’s online “Report a Concern” system, saying it allows issues to be tracked and followed up.
Murdock noted he had already contacted staff directly about some of the issues.
Longstanding Concerns About Tree Loss
Murdock also raised concerns about tree loss near the wastewater treatment plant, saying protective materials had been left on trees for years, eventually damaging them.
He said he had previously raised the issue with the parks manager but did not see action taken. He attributed further loss to beaver activity and said replacement costs should not fall to taxpayers.
Council did not respond directly to the concerns during the meeting.
Resident Voices Support for Bike Lanes on 4th Avenue
A second speaker, Owen Sound resident Kelly Carmichael, addressed council in support of adding bike lanes to 4th Avenue West as part of a planned reconstruction project.
Speaking on behalf of a group of local residents, she said dedicated cycling infrastructure would improve safety for families and individuals, including those using bike trailers with children.
Carmichael said incorporating bike lanes during reconstruction would be more efficient than retrofitting later, and pointed to broader shifts toward alternative transportation.
Council received the comments but did not engage in discussion during the public forum.
Under council procedure, the public forum allows residents to raise issues or provide input, but does not typically involve discussion of any issue raised.
In this case, council directed concerns through existing reporting channels and received feedback without comment.
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