Interview with the Warden - March 27th 2025

Thursday, 27 March 2025 16:07

Warden Marcus Ryan joins the Heart FM Morning Show to talk about different issues that were brought up during their latest Council meeting.

OXFORD COUNTY - The proposed development for 401 Lakeview Drive continues to be in the news.

A developer is looking to add over 250 housing units to a 10-acre property in the north end of Woodstock. Warden, Marcus Ryan says Oxford County Council discussed the matter yesterday.

"So this was considered by the City of Woodstock a month ago for the zoning by-law, the City of Woodstock turned that down. It then came to Oxford County for the official plan amendment to do it. Council debated that, and decided 7-3 that it was consistent with the goals of our official plan and passed it."

He adds that what's next for the developer will be to appeal the zoning by-law decision by Woodstock Council with the Ontario Land Tribunal, which has already been said will happen. The mayor of Woodstock, Jerry Acchione, talked with Heart FM and shared his thoughts about the decision at County Council. You can take a look at that story here.

Moving on to other topics discussed with Warden Marcus Ryan, homelessness was brought up. Warden Ryan says it has started by supporting The Inn and Operation Sharing.

"We also needed to move on from the emergency, throw money at the problem, and just help out Operation Sharing and The Inn to do the best they can. We need to move on to more comprehensive strategy because as we have talked about, there are people who present themselves as homeless, but there is a reason they are homeless."

Warden Ryan says the announcement of the H.A.R.T Hub and the City of Woodstock giving 1.9 million dollars is the start of the Homelessness Response Strategy. He adds the strategy will be used to keep anyone who might be going through issues on the path of recovery, with multiple supports being offered.

You can listen to the full interview below to hear more about the topics above or anything else the Warden discussed on the Morning Show.