You really don’t need a secret decoder ring to figure out a proposed new comprehensive zoning bylaw in Owen Sound.
All you have to do is ask.
That’s the suggestion of community services director Pam Coulter following a public meeting into the proposed new bylaw, which took place on Monday night as part of a regular meeting of city council.
Coulter says it can be somewhat daunting for a person to understand what the bylaw and various zonings might mean for them and their property, but people are welcome to visit the planning department at City Hall to have their questions answered.
That was in response to a member of the public citing a need for a “secret decoder ring,” and Mayor Ruth Lovell Stanners adding that it would be beneficial if there were a “Coles Notes” version of the bylaw.
The process to come up with a new zoning bylaw has been going on since last March.
Drafts have been made public and city residents and business operators have had numerous chances to comment and to ask questions.
They got another chance on Monday and several took that opportunity.
They included Glenda Devlin, who spoke on behalf of the Grey Bruce Affordable Housing Coalition and expressed concerns that changes to the bylaw could result in “negative implications” that might restrict or prohibit badly needed residential housing.
The bylaw will go back to the city’s planning committee in March for further review, and will return to council for approval later this year.