Saugeen Shores Accessibility Advisory Committee (AAC) met on Wednesday, September 9th (2026) discussing several items including such as clarity of language used in the Committee Terms of Reference, how many members should make up the Committee, timing for notice of non-attendance by a member and other in-committee issues.
In addition, the AAC looked at the proposed Bluewater Development site plan to ensure that accessibility situations, such as parking and sidewalks, were being met.
Tim Welch Consulting Inc., on behalf of the Margaret Laurence Housing Co-operative, has submitted materials in support of a Site Plan Control Application for the development of the residential portion of the Town property known as the Bluewater Lands.
The development will include a mix of stacked townhomes, townhomes, and low-rise apartment buildings, for a total of 159 residential units with distribution at 100 one bedrooms (63%), 27 two bedrooms (17%) and 32 three bedrooms (20%).
The Neighbourhood Park is not included in the Site Plan Control Application being considered and the design of the park will undergo a separate review and public consultation process at a later date.
Chair, Diane Huber said that, although accessible units are very limited, she was concerned about the number of marked accessible parking spaces being allotted, to only nine for the 159 units, which is the required number under the zoning by-law, and that some were not close to main entrances.
In addition, the committee would like to see the development sidewalks connected for barrier free access to Bruce Street to ensure movement capability to nearby retailers. “Some sidewalk connections simply do not line up,” said Huber.
Committee member Ian Moncrieff also pointed out that on the site plan rendered drawing, there appeared to be only one location for trash pick-up and recycling. “How can someone with a disability manage to carry their garbage or recycling to that location, especially in winter?”
Although the parkland has been increased, according to the site-plan drawing, there is no accessible access.
Feedback from the Committee will be relayed to the applicant/developer in addition to the Striking Committee before going to Council for information.
