- Hub staff

Monday will be a long evening for members of City Council as they begin at 4 p.m. with a visioning session as phase one of the Official Plan review process.

This special council meeting is an open meeting, although there is no public question period scheduled. The regularly scheduled Council meeting follows at 7 p.m.

The agenda includes a presentation by MHBC Planning on what the Official Plan does and the review process and methodology, followed by a guided working session on Developing the Vision.

Owen Sound's current Official Plan to manage land use, growth and development was created in 2006.
Its goals and objectives covered environmental integrity; economic vitality; managing growth; quality of life; equity, diversity and accessibility; urban design and infrastructure.

A public survey, including an opportunity to add comment on "important issues that should be considered in the City's Official Plan policies", is open until March 31.

According to their website. MHBC has worked with 170 municipalities on similar plans, and they have done work for the City of Owen Sound on plans such as the Recreation Master Plan and the Retail and Commercial Policy for over a decade. They also represent commercial clients, at times seeking zoning or Official Plan amendments in the City.