At its recent meeting, Hanover council began with a Public Meeting under the Planning Act to consider Official Plan Amendment No. 7 for Teeswater Concrete 2021 Ltd. The amendment sought to recognize a proposed 2.4-hectare industrial lot and provide policy support for its development despite an existing site-specific policy requiring a minimum lot size of eight hectares. Staff noted the application conforms with the Planning Act, Grey County Official Plan and the Town of Hanover Official Plan. Following the public meeting, council approved Official Plan Amendment No. 7 and adopted the necessary bylaw.
Council received a delegation from representatives of the Hanover and District Hospital Foundation, who provided an update on physician recruitment and retention initiatives. The presentation outlined how the Town’s annual $90,000 contribution supports recruitment activities, physician incentives and efforts to attract and retain healthcare professionals in the community.
Hanover Police Chief Chris Knoll presented the Hanover Police Service 2025 Annual Report. Police responded to 4,860 incidents in 2025, representing a 14 per cent decrease from the previous year and the first annual decline in calls for service since 2020. The report noted decreases in assaults and intimate partner violence, while mental health-related calls and fraud complaints increased. Chief Knoll also highlighted several initiatives undertaken in 2025, including Project Noisemaker, the introduction of online record checks and continued planning for the new police station anticipated to open in 2027.
Council approved minutes from the September 8 council meeting, September 9 Planning Advisory Committee meeting and September 10 Joint Health and Safety Committee meeting.
Several reports and information items were received through the consent agenda, including updates from the Grey County Compliance Audit Committee, Downtown Improvement Area, Saugeen Valley Conservation Authority and Grey County Council.
Council approved a new Development and Engineering Guidelines Manual intended to assist developers, consultants and staff through the planning and development approvals process. The guidelines establish clear engineering and construction standards, helping streamline reviews, improve consistency and reduce approval timelines for residential and commercial development projects.
During good news and celebrations, council members highlighted the success of the recent Fall Harvest Market, the upcoming Hanover Public Library Book Sale, the Heritage Committee’s continuing collection of local stories through its “I Remember When” project, the inaugural Artie’s Film Festival on October 3 at the Hanover Legion, a successful fundraising event hosted by Hanover Legion Branch 130 and the Hanover Bentinck and Brant Agricultural Society’s Carriage House Open House scheduled for September 24.