Cobourg Will Hire Another Planner

In City Hall

By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Cobourg council voted at Monday’s committee-of-the-whole meeting to fill the vacant position of Senior/Principal Planner (Development Review).

Director of Planning and Development Anne Taylor Scott said the position had been vacant since the end of February.

The annual salary of the position (including benefits) is up to $120,000 – which, Taylor Scott pointed out, should be offset to some degree by the post being vacant for the past few months (saving approximately $8,000 per month).

On the other hand, there is the new provincial planning legislation that forces municipalities to refund development fees when approvals are not granted within a prescribed time frame coinciding with the town being short-staffed. Also offsetting potential savings is the fact that the town has had to contract out some planning work just to keep on top of the demands.

“We have upwards of 30 new development applications this year alone, and 53 open and active development files,” Taylor Scott said.

While development is not likely to slow down, she noted several considerations such as recruitment and retention challenges that are not unique to Cobourg.

The motion passed by council envisions a hiring date of Oct. 1, “funded by any remaining unused salary dollars from the vacant planning position, with the balance funded by the Human Resources Personnel Contingency in the amount of $30,000 in addition to any associated onboarding costs.”

Cecilia Nasmith
Author: Cecilia Nasmith

Join Our Newsletter!

Want to keep up to date on news and events in Northumberland? Subscribe to newsletter!

You may also read!

Letter to the Editor – The Advocacy Cult That Hijacked Cobourg’s Homelessness Crisis

(Today's Northumberland file photo) For years, Cobourg has watched as a small group of vocal advocates have dominated the conversation

Read More...

Letter to the Editor – Selective Boundaries – Why Proof of Residency for Recycling, but Not for Public Safety or Services?

(Today's Northumberland file photo) As of July 2, 2025, Northumberland County is requiring proof of residency to access its Community

Read More...

Northumberland OPP – Numerous Charges After Stolen Vehicle Recovered (Name Released)

Officers from the Northumberland Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) have recovered a stolen vehicle and laid multiple

Read More...

Mobile Sliding Menu