Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as printed and circulated

THAT the minutes from the July 3, 2024 Council meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT the Council meeting be adjourned at 9:32 a.m. for the purposes of holding a public meeting pursuant to the provisions of the Planning Act.

THAT the Township of Zorra Committee of Adjustment approve Application File A08-24, submitted by Sherri Landry & Wayne Tuffin for lands described as South Part Lot 6, Concession 3, (North Oxford) in the Township of Zorra municipally known as 194425 19th Line, as it relates to: 1. Relief from Table 5.4.2.4 – Provisions for Detached Additional Residential Units to: i) increase the maximum permitted distance between dwellings from 30 m (98.6 ft) to 40 m (131.2 ft), 2. Relief from Table 5.4.2.3 – Provisions for All Additional Residential Units to: ii) Increase the maximum permitted cumulative gross floor area from 50% of the gross floor area of the existing dwelling to 64% of the Gross Floor Area; to facilitate the establishment of a detached Additional Residential Unit on a property zoned ‘Limited Agricultural Zone (A1)’ in the Township of Zorra.

THAT pursuant to the Planning Act the public meeting be adjourned at 10:00 a.m. and the regular meeting of Council be called back to order.

THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra approve-in-principle the zone change application ZN 5-24-06 submitted by Faircrest Farms Limited & 2321215 Ontario Inc. whereby the retained lands resulting from consent application B24-37-5 and described as Part Lot 9, Concession 2 (North Oxford) Township of Zorra are to be rezoned from ‘General Agricultural Zone (A2)’ to ‘Rural Residential Zone (RR)’ for the purpose of fulfilling a condition of the associated application for consent.

THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra approve the zone change application ZN 5-24-07 submitted by SPH Engineering c/o Corby Kirwin, to rezone the subject lands, described as Lots 1, 2 & 3, Registered Plan No. 105 and municipally known as 105 Milton Street, Thamesford, to ‘Special Highway Commercial (HC-6) Zone’ and ‘Open Space (OS) Zone’, respectively, to recognize the existing use (automotive repair garage) and facilitate a future addition generally as described in Report No. 2024-262.

THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra approve-in-principle the zone change application ZN 5-23-05 submitted by Timothy & Kim Wallace, Alan & Jessica Thirkettle whereby the lands described as Part Lot 3 & 4, Concession 10 (East Nissouri) Township of Zorra are to be rezoned from ‘General Agricultural Zone (A2)’ to ‘Special General Agricultural Zone (A2-sp)’ and Aggregate Industrial Zone (ME)’ to permit a new Category 1, Class ‘A’ (pit above and below water table) aggregate operation and to recognize the existing dwelling, buildings and agricultural operation on the subject lands.

THAT Council support the fee waiver for ReuseapalooZaha for the cost of the room at the Embro-Zorra Community Centre for September 28, 2024.

THAT Zorra Council support receiving the donation of the Purple Bench, and direct staff to work with representatives from Domestic Abuse Resource Team to select a location, and prepare a surface if needed for it to be installed on; AND THAT any costs for surface come from the sidewalks budget; AND THAT the Domestic Abuse Resource Team forward any communication around the project for staff to share to the community; AND THAT this resolution be forwarded to Oxford County and its area municipalities.

THAT Report 2024-090 from the Director of Public Services be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2024-054 from the Manager of Recreation and Facilities be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Council approve the amendments to By-law 16-18, the Clean and Clear bylaw, to include fire hydrant provisions; THAT Council authorize the execution of an updated Automatic Aid agreement between the Corporation of the Township of Zorra and the Corporation of the Township of South-West Oxford; AND THAT the Township Clerk be authorized to execute the Emergency Services Training and Registration Agreement between the Ontario Fire College and the Corporation of the Township of Norwich on behalf of the Rural Fire Services of Oxford County (Norwich, Blandford-Blenheim, East Zorra-Tavistock, Zorra, South-West Oxford) to establish a Regional Training Centre.

THAT Report 2024-086 from the Chief Building Official/Drainage Superintendent be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2024-088 from the Chief Administrative Officer be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Council increase the election reserve funds for 2025-2029 from $5,000.00 to $15,000.00 annually to fund a consultant to conduct a ward boundary review for the 2030 municipal election, or a subsequent election thereafter.

THAT the motion be amended to add "as amended" after 500-06.

THAT Council approve the recommended changes made to policies 500-03 and 500-06, as amended, and that the proposed 500-10 Community Partnership Program: Capital Project Grant Policy be approved and incorporated into the annual budget process; AND THAT the following be added to 500-10: 9.1 Funding a) The Township contribution towards capital projects will be a maximum of 30% of the final capital project cost, based on the submitted budget for the project. b) The Township contribution of 30% will have a maximum dollar value stipulated when Council when Council "approves in principle" to move ahead with the project.

THAT correspondence from the Community Schools Alliance be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT the Township of Zorra Council requests to reverse the decision by the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry of Ontario, to freeze the fees conservation authorities can charge in regard to planning, development, and permitting fees, and that the freeze be lifted; AND THAT Council supports the correspondence from Brian Petrie, Chair, Upper Thames River Conservation Authority, regarding reversing the direction to freeze the fees for planning, development, and permitting for conservation authorities.

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

THAT Council support the correspondence from Colin Best, President, Association of Municipalities of Ontario, regarding AMO Advocacy on Homelessness Encampments; AND THAT this resolution be forwarded to local MP, MPP, and AMO.

THAT Council direct staff to contact Minister of Energy and Electrification, Stephen Lecce, to inquire about a ground breaking ceremony for the 0.95 MW Bolton Manor Rural Power Resiliency Project.

THAT staff be directed to prepare a report regarding potential impacts of the creation of a new temporary sub-class for aggregate properties.

THAT items 12 (a), (c) and (f) be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT by-laws 39-24, 40-24, and 41-24 be taken as read a first, second and 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 42-24, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held August 7, 2024, be read a first, second and third time this August 7, 2024; 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 12:57 p.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for September 4, 2024, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Zorra Municipal Centre.