Another planner has left City Hall — but unlike this time last year, the resignation is not expected to throw the city’s planning department into complete disarray.
Senior Planner Meghan Birbeck has decided to move on to a different position with the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority.
Birbeck entered the city’s planning department last spring, during a very tumultuous time, as a string of high-profile exits left her the sole planning employee at City Hall.
It was during that time that the city retained MHBC planning for support — a role the consulting firm still fulfills today.
While Birbeck’s exit will surely leave a void, she is not leaving the city in a lurch.
For the past six months, City Hall has been busy recruiting various people to the planning department.
January saw the hiring of a new chief planner and a manager of planning, who are both being overseen by recently appointed Manager of Development Services Jason Simpson.
City Hall is also currently in the process of hiring a development coordinator who will help organize the various development applications that end up at City Hall.
The new hires should leave a good foundation to cushion the blow of Birbeck's exit, but the turnover still has some councillors worried.
During Tuesday’s city council meeting, councillors expressed concern about the lack of sidewalks detailed in the development plans of a newly proposed subdivision at 49 Hayes Road in Thorold South.
Nick Bogaert from MHBC planning told councillors that the sidewalks would eventually be included as part of the site plan process.
“I want to make sure we don’t lose sight of this,” Councillor Henry D’Angela said, during the meeting. “I know it’s going to fall on staff but with our turnover I’m a little concerned there.”
“Jason has been here from day one,” responded Mayor Terry Ugulini. “It falls under his supervision.”
With the planning department slowly getting back on its feet, it is unclear whether or not the city is going to keep retaining MHBC Planning.
