This is the sixth in a 2018 series of commentaries from municipal politicians which allows them to tell you, in their own words, what is important to them, what bugs them and what makes them tick. Each week will feature a member of either the Huntsville or Lake of Bays Council. As we enter an election year, this is your opportunity to get a better picture of your elected politicians. This week: Huntsville Councillor Nancy Alcock.
I would like to thank Huntsville Doppler for providing the opportunity to talk about memorable moments that I have had while sitting as your Town and District Councillor over the past three years.
When I was first elected, I was deeply honoured when our Mayor asked me to Chair the Municipal Planning Committee. As someone who has spent a good portion of her professional career working as an urban and regional planner, I was excited by the prospect of overseeing what I believe is one of the most important functions of local government: how we think and plan for the everyday needs of our communities while, at the same time, not losing sight of the future.
As Chair of Planning, and Vice-Chair of Huntsville’s Committee of Adjustment, we have been extraordinarily busy reviewing an ever-increasing number of development applications, many of which come with considerable controversy. The Committee has struggled with our existing height bylaw, waterfront setbacks, and lack of urban design guidelines on a regular basis. In 2018, it will be my priority to ensure that our new Official Plan addresses the gaps in our existing policies—especially in our urban and waterfront areas—to ensure there is clear direction to guide our decision-making over the next ten years.
At the District level, development pressures on our waterfront throughout Muskoka continue to mount. There continues to be passionate debate on the best approach for retaining our ‘mom and pop’ resorts throughout the Region. While the District Official Plan Review is nearing completion, the ‘where, what and how’ of resort development will need, I believe, much more public input and engagement to help us get it right. This issue has been one of the most contentious debates at the District level. We need to make some tough decisions in the year ahead.
I believe that I and my fellow councillors do our best to try and ‘get it right’ for the whole of the community.
Clearly, we’re not always successful the first time through. Pipe Man comes to mind. With a strong view around the Council table that our community will always be enhanced by the addition of artistic installations throughout our community, we were excited by the prospect of recognizing (once again) Tom Thomson. What I learned from this experience is not only how sincerely people care about the public realm in their community, but also how prepared they were to participate in local decision-making. This is a good thing.
The single most important initiative on my agenda right now is the energy, time and commitment to providing more attainable housing in Huntsville. Starting with the Mayor’s Task Force on Attainable Housing of which I was a member, we have broadened the discussion to include the development of mixed-use neighbourhoods which meet all of the various needs within our community. On one hand, we have a burgeoning senior’s population, many of whom want to live in the downtown core. At the other end of the age spectrum, we have many young people who simply need a roof over their head. Their choices are limited.
While I am proud to say we have approved dozens of affordable housing units over the last three years, I recognize this is not enough and we’ve got to do better to make this a community for all. I will continue to initiate and support new planning approaches for the addition of alternative housing in our community.
I’m also very proud of the decisions our Council has made that strengthen the general health and well-being of our community. One such decision is the relocation of a new and improved Fairvern near our existing hospital. One of my priorities for the past three years has been support for new economic development initiatives like the Muskoka North Good Food Co-op, and the prospect of revitalizing Brendale Square. I look forward to building on the work of the Ryerson University graduate group who developed a potential vision for the Square. While this discussion is in its infancy, every good project must start somewhere!
This past few years has been a tremendous learning curve for me. The good news is I am now a more seasoned representative who is able to express herself freely and with confidence.
Thank you, Huntsville, for giving me this opportunity!
To read more in this 2018 series of commentaries from municipal politicians, click here.
Nancy Alcock is a Town and District Councillor for the Town of Huntsville. For the past 12 years she has been a part-time faculty member at the Ryerson University School of Urban and Regional Planning.
Her roots in Muskoka go back fifty years, and she now lives near Mary Lake where she resides with her two rescue dogs surrounded by very dear friends and family.
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John Rivière-Anderson says
Most admirable accomplishments, goals and projects indeed, Nancy! Bravo! Wonderful initiatives like the Good Food Coop might be served best when located in combination with the Brendale Square redevelopment, like the successful indoor/outdoor Atwater Market in Montreal. What a hub that is, walkable, and such a draw! Community resilience-building should also be featured in all our future works. Thanks for your fine service to our town and district.
Karen Cassian says
I’ve just read the piece by Councillor Nancy Alcock, and while I will be the first to admit that I am a neighbour and have been a friend for over thirty years…I think there’s a significant part of Nancy’s life that she doesn’t give herself enough credit for in this article. She has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy from the London School of Economics, and offers us an incredible wealth of experience from her years at the Province of Ontario where she’s held leadership positions as a Senior Policy Advisor in numerous ministries across the government. We are very lucky to have her sitting on both the District and the Town of Huntsville councils.
Nancy Alcock says
Thank you for your comments John. Your input throughout the entire OP review process has been invaluable. We still have much to learn about community resilience-building in our community.
Nancy Alcock says
Lol – Thank you for your vote of confidence Karen. I am truly lucky to have such wonderful friends!