Kincardine Regular Council — Tuesday, September 9, 2026
Bluewater Trailer Park — transparency and next steps: Council passed two unanimous motions on the future of the Bluewater Trailer Park lands. The first directs staff to publish the legal opinion and two associated documents on the municipal website and social media channels, including a possible press release coordinated through the Director of Strategic Initiatives. The second directs staff to include the retention of a landscape architect — estimated at approximately $35,000 — in the mayor’s 2027 budget to prepare a design plan for the property. CAO stressed that a series of public consultations must be completed before council sets a direction from among three conceptual design plans. Councillor Stewart flagged urgency, noting a conviction notice is in place for October 27th and requesting public engagement within two to three months. Councillor Blackwell noted that two of the four parcels (properties 5 and 6) are subject to a public trust from the Rightman family, limiting options, while properties 7 and 8 — purchased for $400 — are owned outright by the municipality.
Land sale proceeds directed to affordable housing: Council passed By-law 2026-096 approving the sale of a portion of 543 Burby Side Road and subsequently voted to deposit the sale proceeds into the affordable housing reserve fund, aligning with a recommendation from the municipality’s ad hoc housing committee and a statement in the Official Plan. Councillor Stewart voted against the underlying sale, arguing residents of the Tiverton area should benefit from reinvestment in their local park and soccer field.
Water quality monitoring report: Emily Williamson of the Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority presented a 20-year water quality report covering four monitoring sites within Kincardine — Andrews Creek, Little Saugeen River, Underwood Creek, and the Penetangore River. She reported total phosphorus exceedances occur roughly half the time (consistent with the watershed average), E. coli exceedances of the recreational guideline are not uncommon, and chloride remains well below federal limits. No dramatic upward trends or single sites of concern were identified. SVCA recommended the municipality continue funding the Category 3 voluntary monitoring program, pursue land-use planning tools to limit nutrient loading, and support stewardship initiatives. Mayor indicated staff are preparing a separate presentation on septic inspection programs as a potential water quality tool.
Closed session: Council moved into closed session on two Ontario Land Tribunal matters — the Braymont Kincardine OLT application and an update on the Soaring Eagles OLT application, the latter added to the agenda by motion at the meeting’s outset.