Any expansion of the City of Owen Sound's municipal borders will be subject to approval by Grey County.

The City of Owen Sound recently withdrew its objection to a new county planning policy that would give the county approval authority over any city move to expand its territory.

This complicated planning matter was a source of disagreement between county and city officials for some time. Representatives from Owen Sound were scheduled to be a delegation at last Tuesday morning's county council meeting to discuss the situation. However, the delegation was withdrawn and Owen Sound backed away from its objection to the policy.

Several years ago when Owen Sound re-joined Grey County the provincial government granted Owen Sound an exemption from requiring county approval for planning matters within the city. The provincial government approved the city's request for an exemption and the county must pass a by-law that recognizes the provincial regulation granting the exemption.

In the county bylaw, the planning approval exemption does not apply to a five-year review of the city's Official Plan or the development of a new city official plan. Owen Sound has no issues with either of those clauses. However, a third clause giving the county approval over city boundary adjustments has led to the minor disagreement.

City planning staff made a presentation to the county's Planning and Community Development committee on July 17. At that meeting a resolution to drop the third clause from the bylaw was defeated by the committee.

Arlene Wright, a county councillor from Owen Sound, announced at Tuesday's meeting that the city has withdrawn its concern at this time. Wright said the planning matter disagreement is not a major issue and she said some comments made about the situation were unfortunate.

"The statement made at the time - that it was time for Owen Sound to understand it's a part of Grey County - was very hurtful. The city works very well as a member of the county," said Wright.

During an interview after the meeting Wright said the matter was minor.

"It's about talking with other municipalities about land exchanges. Part of the original agreement (to rejoin the county) is that the city will maintain that control. The county wants approval authority. It's not a big deal at all," said Wright, who said the city was withdrawing its objection even though a solution or agreement on the matter isn't in place. "It was a matter of picking your battles," she said with a laugh.

Planning and Community Development committee chair and The Blue Mountains Deputy Mayor Duncan McKinlay said the entire matter generated quite a debate.

"We've had a good discussion about this matter. There's still a difference of opinion," said McKinlay. "We'll continue to have discussion to try and resolve this, but it's been set aside for now," he added.