Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as printed and circulated

THAT the minutes from the June 7, 2023 Council meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT the Council meeting be adjourned at 6:05 p.m. for the purposes of holding a public meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Planning Act. AND THAT Council move into the Committee of Adjustment for the purpose of hearing a Minor Variance Application.

THAT the Township of Zorra Committee of Adjustment approve Application A03-23, submitted by Allen & Cheryl Jeffrey, for lands described as Lot 7, PL 592 and municipally known as 211 Brock Street, Thamesford, in the Township of Zorra, as it relates to: 1. Relief from Section 5.1, Table 5.1.1.3 - Regulations for Accessory Uses, to increase the maximum permitted gross floor area of an accessory structure from 10% of the lot area or 100 m2 (1,076 ft2) to 12% of the lot area or 120 m2 (1,290 ft2) to facilitate the construction of a detached garage. subject to the following condition: i) That the relief granted by the Committee regarding application A03-23 shall apply to a garage at an approximate location as illustrated on Plate 3 of Report No. 2023- 183, to the satisfaction of the Township of Zorra.

THAT Council move out of the Committee of Adjustment, and pursuant to the Planning Act that the public meeting be adjourned at 6:08 p.m. and the regular meeting of Council be called back to order.

THAT Report 2023-076 be received for information purposes; AND FURTHER THAT Council approve the 2022 surplus funds of $192,759.77 to the Building Department Reserve Fund in accordance with Section 7 of the Ontario Building Code Act.

THAT Report 2023-051 be received for information purposes; AND THAT Council approve the 2021 budget surplus ($186,786.66) and the transfer to the following reserves: General Surplus/Deficit Reserve - $59,124.71 Fire Equipment Reserve - $27,757.73 Road Equipment Reserve - $64,027.07 Road Building Reserve -$47,889.49 Recreation Reserve - $32,706.90 Dam Reserve - $20,145.52 Building Dept Reserve - $4,845.40 Disaster/Emergency Reserve - $26,085.16 Aggregate Reserve - $36,623.41 AND THAT Council approve the transfer from the Infrastructure Capital Levy reserve of $132,418.73.

THAT Report 2022-079 be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Council direct Staff to make the recommended changes to the Community Grant Program Policy.

THAT Report 2023-075 be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Council defer Report 2023-077 and Township Staff be directed to continue investigating alternate locations for the Embro housing project and provide a report for the September 6, 2023, Council meeting; AND THAT the report focus on three potential locations including: Parcel currently part of the EZCC and at the corner of Rd. 78 & 35th Line. The former Public Works yard. A hypothetical location, with closer proximity to the village core, that involves the purchase of land not currently owned by the Township. AND THAT the report includes a detailed list of comparable factors that help Council weigh the pros and cons of each option. Factors can include, but are not necessarily limited to:  Existing services (water, sewers, pedestrian pathways).  Required services (in keeping with responsible village growth) and the most probable means of funding for these services.  Added affordable units from each option (if differing).  Other constraints affecting availability of each location (demo and decontamination at Public Works, funding to purchase a new site).  Foreseeable uses of each location if not selected for the Embro housing project.  Possible leftover land or revenue available from partial use of a location (understanding, as an example, that only a portion of the former Public Works yard would be required for the project).

THAT Report 2023-068 be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2023-080 be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Council direct Staff to bring a final version back to Council on July 5, 2023.

THAT Council appoint Councillor Grigg as a representative from the Township of Zorra Council to sit on the Court of Revision for the Murray Drain 2023 for the Municipality of Thames Centre.

THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra approve Exemption to the Noise Control By-law submitted by Brandon Ford and Deanna Kirwin for an event located at 804075 Road 80 on September 2, 2023, to allow amplified music from 3:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.

THAT item 10(a) be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT item 11(a) be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT By-law 20-23 be taken as read a third time and finally passed; AND FURTHER THAT the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the same and affix the corporate seal thereto.

THAT By-law 36-23, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held June 21, 2023, be read a first, second and third time this June 21, 2023; AND FURTHER THAT the Mayor and Clerk are hereby authorized to sign the same and affix the corporate seal thereto.

THAT this session of Council be now adjourned and herewith closed at 7:37 p.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for the July 5, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Township Municipal Office.