In the final meeting of the 2022 – 2026 term of council, members of council were provided with an update on the status of Johnny B’s auto repair shop site development. The Johnny B’s auto repair shop on Sykes Street was destroyed by fire on May 25, 2023, and three years later owner John Bulsink has yet to rebuild.
Municipal staff provided council with a seven-page report outlining the current status of the file.
“The Johnny B’s redevelopment at 452 Sykes Street North has undergone the site plan approval process and received Provisional Site Plan Approval in March 2024. As part of the approval the landowner is required to confirm adequate water servicing to the property for the new, more intensive development. It has been confirmed that the existing watermain does not provide sufficient fire flow to the site based on the analysis completed by the landowner’s engineer as the new building has a larger footprint and additional services being proposed. Where existing infrastructure is insufficient for a proposed private development, the responsibility for funding such improvements lies with the developer,” staff told council in their report. “Council confirmed the Sykes Street watermain upgrade as the preferred servicing approach. This option benefits the development and existing users. The applicant received the preferred option and a revised Site Plan Agreement in May 2026. No action has been taken by the applicant. Final approval, securities, and adequate servicing are required before construction can proceed.”
The Johnny B’s auto repair shop on Sykes Street was destroyed by fire on May 25, 2023, and in the three years since they have operated their repair shop on a rural property located on Sideroad 22. They were granted a three-year temporary commercial use permission by bylaw on the property, which in July of this year was extended by council for two more years to allow time for the Sykes Street shop to be rebuilt.
“The use may now occupy the (Sideroad 22) site, compliant with all other applicable law, until September 14, 2028 at which time, the use must cease at this location. No further extensions are available for the temporary site pursuant to the County of Grey Official Plan,” staff advised in their report. “If the applicant does not finalize their Site Plan Approval through agreement execution, posting of securities, etc. construction of the permanent Sykes Street location cannot proceed. Next steps for Johnny B’s is unknown if construction of the permanent Sykes Street location is not complete by September 14, 2028.”
Shop owner John Bulsink briefly addressed council during the public participation portion of Monday’s council meeting.
“I read the report, and I had a speech written up today, but due to the contents of the report, I made my comments to my legal counsel, and I’m going to let legal, my lawyers have written a letter which you should have this afternoon, and I would like everybody to read it, and then maybe we can do another site plan report. That’s all I have to say today, thank you,” Bulsink told council.
The report was presented to council by staff for information purposes only, there was no decision for council to make. Council voted in favour of accepting the report for information purposes, but they did not engage in discussion regarding the report.
All public documents related to the redevelopment and rebuild of Johnny B’s auto repair shop can be found at: https://www.meaford.ca/projectdevelopment/johnny-bs-motor-vehicle-repair-shop/
