By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
An additional public meeting on Northumberland County’s upcoming Official Plan amendment on proposed urban boundary expansions will be slated for Port Hope, following Mayor Olena Hankivsky’s request at the May 15 Northumberland County council session.
Hankivsky acknowledged the May 23 meeting in Cobourg, but asked for an additional one as this date coincides with an all-candidates debate in Ward 2 leading up to next month’s by-election to replace Chris Collins (who left council when he was appointed a Justice of the Peace).
She also noted the potential effects of the amendment on Port Hope’s urban and rural residents.
“This request really comes from the community of Port Hope, and also from my fellow councillors,” Hankivsky said.
She acknowledged other options exist for feedback, but said she has heard loud and clear from her constituency that they want an opportunity “to review the proposed amendment, understand its implications, ask questions and provide input.”
Cramahe Councillor Mandy Martin followed Hankivsky’s comments with compliments.
“I was the editor of the Port Hope Evening Guide for many years, and I know this community. I have known it since I was 18, covering things. I know the passion with which Port Hope always regard planning issues, probably more in depth than most other municipalities in this county,” Martin said.
“They have a history of being very, very involved with their planning in matters of the Official Plan – it’s how they escaped being part of Durham Region – and that has not ended.
“Official Plans really do set the tone for us, going into the future, and I think it behooves all of us to channel as much public discussion as we can garner.”
Manager of Land Use Planning Dwayne Campbell said that this is the first update of the county’s official plan, which was originally finalized in 2016. This is the second of three amendments planned, the first having to do with natural heritage and a subsequent one on the agricultural system.
