Category: News 2018

Work on Cultural Plan starts

John Draper

The Town of Cobourg is planning to create a Cultural Master plan.  In this context, “culture” does not mean the different cultures of ethnic groups but refers to the arts, both performing and visual, with the addition of heritage factors.  Major goals of the Strategic plan that was developed when the Council was new, were increased awareness of and investments in culture, and an arts and culture centre.  Decisions on what to do about the Park Theatre and the Marie Dressler House have been deferred pending this plan.  However, with an implementation time frame of 12-15 months, any resulting action will be the responsibility of the next council.  At the next Committee of the Whole Council meeting on April 2nd,… Read complete articleWork on Cultural Plan starts

Tannery Master Plan Public Meeting

John Draper

Last Wednesday, the Town of Cobourg held a Public meeting to provide an update on the Tannery Project and once again get public input (See links below for earlier reports). About 50 people showed up – including Councillors Aaron Burchat and Debra McCarthy, some members of the Planning and Sustainability Advisory Committee and several members of the consultant’s team.  Director of Planning Glenn McGlashon made it clear that the intent is not that the Town will get into the development business but that it is setting policy and guidance.  The final report will recommend details of zoning and a Secondary Plan.  This will guide what happens in the area over the next 20 to 50 years.  As well as the… Read complete articleTannery Master Plan Public Meeting

Downtown Vitalization update – April 2018

John Draper

At the meeting next Monday of Cobourg Council, Carol McCann of the Downtown Coalition Advisory Committee will be presenting a progress report on how their efforts are improving Cobourg’s Downtown. The first thing to know is that “Downtown” is much bigger than just King Street – it includes the area from Lake Ontario north to James Street, East to Church/College and West to approx. Ball/Durham.  The mandate of the committee is quite broad and they are in fact making progress albeit slowly.  We know that because they are counting open businesses and documenting things that have changed.  They have also started to count pedestrian traffic which helps in the understanding of the impact of “events”.  For example, the Rib Fest… Read complete articleDowntown Vitalization update – April 2018

Warrant Now Being Issued for Suspect in October Break-in

John Draper

A post on March 26 by Pete Fisher on his web site Today’s Northumberland said that “despite an overwhelming trail of evidence, Cobourg police had still made no arrests for a break-in”.   Today, S/Sgt Brent Allison told me that they know who the suspect is and are in the process of issuing a warrant.  The man is known to police but has no fixed address so it may take a while to put him in custody.  Although Brent conceded that a “scene of crime officer should have perhaps been sent to the break-in”, the rest of the story is also more nuanced.  The original story by Pete was quite negative about Police performance but most people have not experienced the… Read complete articleWarrant Now Being Issued for Suspect in October Break-in

Two Major Projects up for Site Plan Approval

John Draper

In March of 2017, Sobeys showed the public their plans for expansion of the Foodland Supermarket. They want a new enlarged store and the required public meeting and re-zoning approval happened last year.   The Site Plan is now with the Planning Department. Changes from the public meeting have been incorporated and Council will be asked to approve a Development agreement at their next Committee of the Whole Meeting on Monday March 26.  At the same meeting, the developer of the Cedar Shore Estates property on King Street West (near Monk’s Cove) is asking for a subdivision agreement so the building of 14 homes can proceed.  This was first discussed in 2015 when the property was up for sale at an… Read complete articleTwo Major Projects up for Site Plan Approval

County Report to Cobourg Council

John Draper

At last Monday’s council meeting, Northumberland County CAO Jennifer Moore and Treasurer Glenn Dees presented the annual County Financial report.  They listed accomplishments, talked about upcoming priorities and gave a good summary of the county budget with highlights (see link below for the full presentation).  The financial summary was simpler and easier to understand than previously provided.  Major Projects for the next 10 years were listed, allocation of tax dollars was spelled out and the split in sources of funding was shown.  In reporting on waste management, Jennifer said work was being done in preparation for the introduction in 2019 of collection of a third type of waste – garbage that could be composted.  Details are still being worked out… Read complete articleCounty Report to Cobourg Council

Cobourg Police Announce Tiered Policing

John Draper

The efficiency of a Police Service can be improved if work that does not need a fully trained and armed Officer is delegated to others.  Cobourg’s Police service now has Auxiliary Police and Special Constables as well as civilians typing up reports.  They are making a big effort to be part of the Community and in the announcement today about tiered policing, Deputy Chief Paul VandeGraaf placed a major emphasis on Community Engagement and how the Auxiliary Police and Special Constables help with that.  As a result, the 34 regular Officers can devote more time to things like patrols downtown (typically two per day according to DBIA Chair Adam Bureau).  The quality of their work is also improved with the… Read complete articleCobourg Police Announce Tiered Policing

Public Meeting – Vacant Property Tax Rebate

John Draper

As reported last December, the county is looking at changing the tax system so that vacant stores do not get a rebate on their taxes.  A required part of that process is that public meetings must be held to allow communication to and from affected people.  The required meeting was held on Wednesday March 21 at the County building – only a few people turned up.   At a presentation, County treasurer Glenn Dees explained some of the details.  The change is now possible because legislation passed in early 2017 allowed municipalities to “opt-out” of the rebate program or make other changes.  Of those who requested a change in 2017, 21 of 25 eliminated them immediately of phased them out.  Another… Read complete articlePublic Meeting – Vacant Property Tax Rebate