Part 2: Council Decisions on Pickleball, Leeward House, Heritage, and Housing – 01/30/2024
- PECConnect
- Jan 30, 2024
- 5 min read
The County Council’s January 30, 2024 meeting moved steadily from recognition and presentations into a series of decisions that revealed where councillors stood, how consensus formed. While many motions passed unanimously, the discussion around recreation planning and transitional housing clearly showed which voices shaped the outcomes. The meeting was chaired throughout by Mayor Steve Ferguson, who guided proceedings, called votes, and managed questions from Council and the public. Ferguson introduced the proclamations, framed the presentations, and repeatedly emphasized respectful debate and procedural clarity as discussions became more complex later in the evening.
View the entire PEC Council Meeting; or view our recap.
Council unanimously supported the early recognition items. The presentation of funds to the Hastings Prince Edward Learning Foundation through the Feed the Meter campaign and the Civic Recognition Award for Ahmed Mustafa proceeded without debate or dissent. No councillors spoke in opposition, and the moments were treated as collective acknowledgements rather than policy decisions.
Built and Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee Update
The annual update from Sandy Latchford, Chair of the Built and Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee, generated one of the most detailed question-and-answer periods of the evening.
Councillor Hirsch and Councillor Harrison formally moved and seconded the motion to receive the presentation, which carried unanimously. During discussion, councillors including Harrison, Roy Pennell, and Phil St.-Jean asked clarifying questions about cemetery regulations, interment rights, cremation limits, and long-term maintenance obligations. No councillor expressed opposition to the committee’s work or direction, and the presentation was received without amendment.
Pickleball Courts and the Delhi Park Decision
The deputation from Stephanie Roth, Chair of Prince Edward Pickleball, led to one of the clearest policy decisions of the night. After questions from multiple councillors, Councillor St.-Jean, brought forward the key amending motion to confirm Delhi Park in Picton as the site for the proposed dedicated pickleball courts. The motion was seconded by Councillor Branderhorst.
Several councillors voiced support during discussion. Councillor Maynard, questioned lighting options and funding sources. Councillor Braney and Councillor St.-Jean both praised the volunteer-led fundraising effort. No councillor spoke against the proposal.
The motion to confirm the site and direct staff to continue working with Prince Edward Pickleball carried unanimously, formally committing Council to Delhi Park as the future home of the courts.
Public Comments and Leeward House Concerns
Public input on Leeward House, the proposed transitional housing facility, shifted the tone of the meeting. Cassandra Buckley and Donna Joyce, both neighbouring property owners, addressed Council directly, raising concerns about lack of early consultation, potential impacts on property values, and personal safety.
The motion to receive public comments was moved by Councillor Branderhorst and seconded by Councillor St.-Jean, and it carried without opposition. At this stage, no vote on the project itself occurred, but the groundwork was laid for a lengthy Council discussion later in the meeting.
Financial Reports and Emergency Management Appointments
Council moved efficiently through several financial and governance items.
The 2024 Land Ambulance Budget was approved on a motion from Councillor Prinzen, seconded by Councillor Engelsdorfer. Temporary borrowing authority and compliance with Ontario Regulation 284/09 were both approved on motions moved by St.-Jean and seconded by Sam Branderhorst. All financial motions carried unanimously.
For emergency management governance, Councillor Pennell, nominated Councillor Braney to serve as alternate Head of Council for declaring an emergency and as a member of the Emergency Management Program Committee. Braney accepted, and the appointment was approved by acclamation.
Committee of the Whole Report and the Leeward House
The most debated decision of the night occurred when Council considered the Committee of the Whole report related to Leeward House, the proposed transitional housing facility at 1133 County Road 5.
During discussion, Councillor Janice Maynard pressed staff on how and when neighbouring residents would be consulted. Councillor Phil St.-Jean raised concerns about losing provincial funding if Council delayed its decision. Councillor Roy Pennell spoke about the broader housing mandate facing municipalities and cautioned against stalling the project.
Chief Administrative Officer Marcia Wallace and Councillor Sam Branderhorst, speaking in his role as Chair of Committee of the Whole, clarified that the project’s operational funding would come from Prince Edward Lennox and Addington Social Services, with no direct operating cost to the County, and that staff were prepared to engage with neighbours moving forward.
A key amendment was introduced. On a motion moved by Sam Branderhorst and seconded by John Hirsch, Council added a clause directing staff to consult with impacted landowners and interested persons during implementation.
The amended Motion CW-03-2024, authorizing the lease agreement, memorandums of understanding, and staff direction, carried, formally approving the Leeward House project while embedding consultation into the next phase.
Environmental Advisory Committee Report Adjustment
Council also amended the Environmental Advisory Committee report after procedural concerns were raised. Councillor Nieman, moved to remove a clause related to Picton Terminals hazardous materials, citing due process concerns and matters before the courts. The amendment was seconded by Phil St.-Jean and carried. The revised report and committee appointments were then approved.
What This Means for Local Residents
Council’s confirmation of Delhi Park as the future pickleball site means a long-term recreational investment is now locked in, with fundraising and design work moving ahead. Picton residents near the park can expect further planning discussions as the project advances.
Approval of Leeward House confirms the County’s commitment to transitional housing at 1133 County Road 5, while also committing staff to consult directly with neighbouring property owners on impacts and operations.
The meeting reinforced Council’s focus on heritage preservation, cemetery management, and financial stability, while showing that community consultation, especially for housing and land-use decisions, will remain a central and closely watched issue for residents across the County.
Disclaimer: This article is based on a meeting with an approximate duration of 2:00:06. Due to the length of the meeting, our team was not able to independently review the full recording in its entirety. As a result, we relied on software-generated transcription, automated summarization, and automated recognition of speakers and participants, which may not be entirely accurate. All transcriptions, summaries, and related content are prepared by our team in good faith and on a reasonable best-efforts basis. The content is provided for general informational purposes only and is intended to support public understanding of the topics discussed. While reasonable efforts have been made to present the information accurately, automated processes may result in errors, omissions, or unintended misinterpretations. This article does not constitute an official, certified, or verbatim record of the meeting, and it should not be relied upon as such. Readers are encouraged to consult original source materials, official minutes, or recordings where available for confirmation or clarification. Questions, requests for clarification, or suggested corrections may be submitted to hello@pecconnect.ca for review and consideration.
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