City council is going to be looking closer at a plan to bring ‘tiny homes’ to Peterborough.
The topic of homelessness and how to address it this winter dominated conversation during a four-hour meeting at City Hall on Monday night.
Councillors approved a motion presented by Mayor Jeff Leal that includes:
-Work with Peterborough Action for Tiny Homes (PATH) and its partner organizations to review the best option for the location of such a use that best balances the issues of conformity with the City’s planning documents, impacts upon neighbouring landowners, and success for clients. This review should include evaluation of all City owned lands;
-Work with PATH and its partner organizations to develop a plan to ensure the success of the site itself and for clients. The plan would be expected to include but not be limited to items such as supports to be provided on the site, operational controls, number of and layout of shelters, services to be provided on the site, how the site will fit within the overall Coordinated Access System and By Name Priority List managed by the City, assurances that data is collected to evaluate the success of the project, appropriate funding to be provided by the City, and expected outcomes;
-A report be provided to Council with the above items by February, 2023.
-That support services be provided on a 24/7 basis, including mental health, addictions, and employment services.
-That we will communicate and consult with our County and Township partners regarding supports and potential locations.
-Explore opportunities with the provincial and federal governments.
PATH has also submitted a request to Council for funding in the amount of $100,000, waiver of fees, support in principle of various necessary land use planning approvals, and the expedited processing of such land use approvals.
Also last night, a motion on Peterborough Transit routes was put off until March 2023 when staff will provide a report with an analysis of the current grid route system and the operational and financial implications of potentially returning to a hub-and-spoke route system, and approved transferring ownership of a section of a former rail spur within 140 Stewart Street to General Electric Canada Property Inc.
