Public information meeting
Jonathan Hack of Sierra Planning and Management is seen during the presentation to members of the public during a public meeting seeking input from them as South Stormont begins the process to develop both recreation and waterfront planning. Thompson Goddard photo

LONG SAULT – The Township of South Stormont has engaged a team of consultants from Sierra Planning and Management to engage stakeholders and members of the public as the municipality moves forward with developing a new Parks and Recreation Master Plan as well as a Waterfront Development Plan.

The first public consultation evening was held on Aug. 13 in the South Stormont municipal hall to provide an update to the public on plans and receive information from them.

With the last updates to both plans several years ago and the need for future planning in this area, it was explained to those present how there is significant overlap between the two areas and so the decision was made to seek information on their updating concurrently.

Jonathan Hack from Sierra Planning and Management commented early in his presentation how “this meeting is your meeting” as they sought to determine what was important to residents. Hack explained that the process being undertaken will include meeting with stakeholders such as the St. Lawrence Parks Commission, having further public meetings and inviting the public to complete an online survey by Sept. 27. After the presentation, which included demographics such as the rate of growth and age of residents in the municipality, as well as stressing the importance of building on the previous municipal plans, people formed groups to facilitate discussion of a series of questions presented to them and would be sharing them as the meeting progressed.

Information is available on the municipal website for timelines and process for this undertaking.