Under Strong Mayor Powers, Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland has directed staff to investigate development and revitalization of Tannery Lands in a release posted on Friday, July 11, 2025.
Under the authority of Part VI.1 (Special Powers and Duties of Head of Council) of the Municipal
Act, 2001 Sections 284.3 & 284.4 (Direction to Employees) the Mayor may direct staff:
I, Mayor Lucas Cleveland, hereby direct staff, under section 284.3 of the Act to:
1. The Director of Planning and Development to investigate opportunities to activate development and revitalization of the Tannery Lands – options to include, but not limited to; municipal programs to incentivize, calls for proposals, and policy and regulatory amendments, and utilizing any existing tools an option approved by previous councils.
2. While developing the recommendations, staff are directed to prioritize attainable housing options, ensuring a focus on purpose-built rentals and affordable housing opportunities.
3. Staff are directed to review municipal impacts across departments to ensure options presented are timely, legally permitted, effective, and efficient while ensuring that current residents are not paying for the cost of development,
a. Through this review, staff will consider what model of disposal of surplus lands to support development is most appropriate for recommendation, including the exchange of land for a community benefit.
4. The Director of Planning and Development is directed to bring a report forward to the Mayor in September 2025, to receive feedback prior to presentation to Council at the October Regular Council Meeting.
This Directive takes effect on July 11, 2025, and remains in effect unless and until it is revoked in writing by the Mayor in writing and filed with the Town Clerk.
Original Signed and Filed with the Town Clerk
Mayor, Lucas Cleveland
Author: Pete Fisher
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