The Blue Mountains council is not reversing its decision to opt out of a hybrid planning department model being considered by Grey County.
At its committee of the whole meeting on April 8, council received a letter from Grey County asking that the town, if interested in the hybrid planning model, send the county a letter by May 9 expressing in-principle support for the concept.
On March 21, 2025, Grey County hosted a joint meeting of all the councils of Grey County to discuss the hybrid planning model. The county began considering the hybrid model late in 2024, after two-thirds of local municipalities expressed interest in continuing conversations about a potential merging of local planning departments with the county system.
Discussions about the possibility of a joint county-wide planning department began in the summer of 2024.
The Blue Mountains, however, had passed a resolution early in Nov. 2024 stating that it was not interested in the joint planning model.
After receiving the county’s letter about the hybrid model, council did not change its collective mind on the topic.
“We have opted out of the system. We’re not involved,” said Coun. Paula Hope.
Acting CAO Adam Smith said the town would continue to participate in discussions about the hybrid model and would attend any future joint meetings, but would not be actively engaged as the process to study a potential hybrid system moves forward.
Smith noted that he would be bringing a future staff report that will examine potential planning efficiencies for council’s consideration. Council took no action on the letter from the county other than to receive it for information.
