The Blue Mountains council has approved the continuation of a working group charged with bringing Craigleith issues to the attention of council.
At its committee of the whole meeting on Jan. 15, council voted in favour of a staff recommendation to wrap up the current group’s mandate and establish a Phase 2 working group with a fresh mandate.
The Craigleith Working Group was established in the summer of 2023. A group of 15 local residents worked with town staff to examine a number of issues in the Craigleith area in a more informal setting than a town committee.
The group held several meetings that resulted in a list of recommendations for actions in the Craigleith area. Recommendations included:
- Improvements to pedestrian safety and active transportation.
- Review the opportunities to develop and implement a four-season maintenance strategy for roads and trails.
- Effective planning and management of traffic and parking o Consider advancements in public transit and sustainable transportation options.
- Create strong community partnerships and consider potential funding opportunities through collaborative co-investment strategies for Council consideration.
- Review the Town’s Leisure Activities Plan and consider the potential expansion and connectivity of active transportation, parks, and recreational programming that foster community engagement.
- Promote conservation and enhancement of natural and cultural heritage through sustainability and asset management.
- Create recommendations that enhance and improve community engagement, collaboration, and inclusivity.
Town CAO Shawn Everitt reported back to council on the group’s activities and recommended moving the process into a new phase.
“I see this as a seamless transition,” said Everitt. “This was the first of its kind. It has proven to be very, very positive. It has created some great relationships.”
Everitt said a new phase of the working group would continue its efforts on the list of recommendations and could also be instrumental in the town’s ongoing process to update its Official Plan.
Members of the working group attended the meeting and praised the town’s initiative to start the working group.
“It’s representative of the passion in our community,” said Stephen Granger.
Council voted unanimously in favour of the CAO’s recommendation.
“This is commendable work we want to continue,” said Mayor Andrea Matrosovs.
