By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For the short term, the Grand Avenue East homeless encampment is staying put.
But it may be moving on after Aug. 11, as council will examine municipally owned properties where encampments are legal. Administration is tasked with preparing a report looking at locations and setbacks away from private homes in 25-, 50- and 100-metre increments.
The decision came at the tail end of a four-hour meeting that saw a packed council chambers filled with about 80 people in the meeting and dozens in the civic centre’s overflow area. That’s on top of more than 500 people who watched online.
Council ended up approving an amended motion put forward by Mayor Darrin Canniff.
Each point was voted on separately, with most passing unanimously 17-0 (one councillor was absent). However, a recommendation to allow Chatham-Kent police to put CCTV cameras in at the “sole direction” police was narrowly approved in a 9 to 8 vote.
In a move prompted by lengthy discussion, Canniff’s recommendation to change the existing encampment protocol from 10 metres to 100 metres was deferred following an amendment from Chatham Coun. Alysson Storey. She said she also asked for the deferment in the name of transparency, noting she was among the people blindsided when the encampment migrated to the PUC green space in July.
Storey asked the community be better informed going forward “to makes sure we don’t repeat what just happened.”
A total of 28 deputations were presented to council. Sixteen of those were made in person, 11 were emailed and one came via Zoom. It was close to an even split between those advocating for the encampment to remain at the PUC property and those who say it needs to move on.
However, deputations opposing the Grand Avenue location generated more applause from the audience than those in favour.
An expected motion from Chatham Coun. Michael Bondy didn’t materialize, as Bondy said there wasn’t enough time.
According to administration, a 100-metre setback would be very restrictive, with only the Thames Grove Conservation Area and O’Neill Nature Preserve (Paxton’s Bush) able to meet the criteria.
The encampment has been a hot topic this summer. In July, people moved their tents from Rotary Park on Thames Street to the green space at the Chatham water treatment plant. It’s led to extensive backlash from homeowners, youth sports groups and businesses in the neighbourhood.
