City Council Meeting Wrap-Up: January 16, 2024
Jan 16, 2024
City Council Meeting Wrap-Up: January 16, 2024
The City Council meeting on January 16 included presentations of the draft Housing Supply Strategy and the draft updated French Language Services Policy, both with opportunities for public input.
Staff presented the draft Housing Supply Strategy and residents are now invited to provide their input.
In early 2023, Council directed staff to develop a Housing Supply Strategy to outline the actions required to increase the local housing supply. The draft strategy sets a path to achieve Greater Sudbury’s housing target for the next 10 years, fill key gaps in the housing supply and ensure residents have access to housing options that meet their needs at all stages of life, regardless of income level. It recommends a series of 17 focus areas to realize the objectives and goals adopted by City Council.
Along with the Municipal Housing Pledge approved by Council in December – describing strategies and actions to achieve Greater Sudbury’s assigned municipal housing target of 3,800 new homes by 2031 – a Housing Supply Strategy that encourages thoughtful, targeted and sustainable residential development is part of a broader vision to grow the city’s population and local economy.
Residents have until February 15, 2024 to submit comments on the proposed plan. An open house will be held at a later date to allow residents to discuss the strategy and ask questions.
This is the second round of public engagement. Residents were initially asked to provide input to help shape the strategy in June 2023.
To learn more about the draft strategy and provide feedback, visit overtoyou.greatersudbury.ca/housing-supply-strategy.
French Language Services Policy Review
As part of the ongoing French Language Services Policy Review, Council was presented with a draft updated policy, results on the first round of community engagement and information on next steps.
The original policy was adopted in 2001 as a commitment to offer services and communications in both official languages of Canada, with a focus on written communications. In April 2022, Council directed staff to review the policy to ensure it continues to meet the community’s needs.
The draft revised policy is intended to modernize and improve French services by considering a customer service-focused approach, current community needs, demographics and technology advancements. It was amended based on a review of similar policies, customer service data, and consultation with staff, partners, stakeholders and residents.
To ensure a meaningful engagement process, the City will now present the draft policy back to the community, partners, Council and City employees for additional comment. More details on engagement opportunities will be provided in the coming days. A revised final policy and accompanying action plan will be brought back to Council for approval in spring 2024.
Additional Direction Regarding the Design of the Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square
Council provided additional direction to staff regarding design features of the planned Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square. Specifically, Council directed staff to identify cost estimates for including ramp access between each of the facility’s four floors when completing the schematic design for the redesigned space.
For more details on these and other items from this week’s meetings, visit www.greatersudbury.ca/city-hall/mayor-and-council/meetings-agendas-and-minutes.