Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as amended to move item 14(a) Notices of Motion to follow 6(f).

THAT the minutes from the June 18, 2025 Council meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT the Council meeting be adjourned at 9:31 a.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 Minor Variance Applications.

THAT the Township of Zorra Committee of Adjustment approve Application A12-25z, submitted by Bryan Willsie for lands described as Part Lot 4, Concession 5 (West Zorra), Part 1, Plan 41R10147 and municipally known as 415239 41st Line in the Township of Zorra, as it relates to: 1. Relief from Section 5.1.1.3, Table 5.1.1.3 – Accessory Use Provisions, to permit: i) an increased maximum height from 5.0 m (16.4 ft) to 5.3 m (17.4 ft). ii) an increased maximum gross floor area from 170 m2 (1,830 ft2 ) to 223 m2 (2,400 ft2 ). to facilitate the establishment of a detached accessory structure on a lot zoned ‘Special Rural Residential (RR-22) Zone’ in the Township of Zorra. Subject to the following condition: 1. That the proposed relief shall only apply to an accessory structure of the approximate size and location as depicted on Plate 3 of Report CP 2025-201.

THAT the Township of Zorra Committee of Adjustment approve Application A13-25z, submitted by Justin and Sarah Benner for lands described as Part Lot 25, Concession 10 (East Nissouri), Part 1, RP-41R9825 and municipally known as 196517 19th Line in the Township of Zorra, as it relates to: 1. Relief from Section 5.1.1.3, Table 5.1.1.3 – Accessory Use Provisions, to permit: i) an increased maximum height from 5.0 m (16.4 ft) to 5.7 m (18.6 ft). ii) an increased maximum gross floor area from 170 m2 (1,830 ft2 ) to 213.6 m2 (2,300 ft2 ). to facilitate the establishment of a detached accessory structure on a lot zoned ‘Special Rural Residential (RR-21) Zone’ in the Township of Zorra. Subject to the following conditions: 1. That the proposed relief shall only apply to an accessory structure of the approximate size and location as depicted on Plate 3 of Report CP 2025-202. 2. That the existing accessory structure, as shown on Plate 3 of Report No. CP 2025-202 be removed to the satisfaction of the Township.

THAT the Township of Zorra Committee of Adjustment not approve Application A14-25z, submitted by Leasa Bolton for lands described as Lot 15, Plan 41M222 and municipally known as 135 Sloan Drive, Thamesford, in the Township of Zorra., as it relates to: 1. Relief from Section 5.19.1.4.2 – Commercial Motor Vehicles and Tractor Trailers in Residential Zones to permit a commercial vehicle (school bus) with a maximum weight of 5,600 kg (12,345 lb) to be parked on a property zoned ‘Special Residential Type 1 Zone (R1-9) ’ in the Village of Thamesford.

THAT pursuant to the Planning Act the public meeting be adjourned at 10:37 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 proposed Zoning By-law amendments to place the lands described at Part Lot 3, Conc. 5 (West Zorra) and municipally known as 395103 39th Line and 395129 39th Line, Township of Zorra into the ‘Rural Residential (RR) Zone’ and a ‘Special General Agricultural (A2-sp) Zone’, respectively, to recognize their use as non-farm rural residential (retained lands) and agricultural (severed and enlarged lands).

THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra approve-in-principle the Zone Change Application submitted by Brenda Murray, whereby lands described as Pt. Lot 36, Conc. 2 (West Zorra), in the Township of Zorra, are to be rezoned from ‘Limited Agricultural Zone (A1)’ to ‘Special Limited Agricultural Zone (A1)’ to permit a detached additional residential unit (ARU) on the subject lands with a maximum distance between an ARU and a principal dwelling of 120 m (393.7 ft).

THAT that the Council of the Township of Zorra advise County Council that the Township does not support the application for Official Plan Amendment, File No. OP25-06-5, submitted by Jacob Hiebert for the lands legally described as Pt. Lot 21, Conc. 1, Township of Zorra to amend the existing site-specific ‘Medium Density Residential’ designation affecting the subject lands, specifically Section 6.2.3.2.3, to facilitate the development of a 3-storey, 22- unit apartment building. AND FURTHER THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra not approve, the zone change application File No. ZN5-25-02, submitted by Jacob Hiebert for lands described as Pt. Lot 21, Conc. 1 from ‘Recreation (REC) Zone’ to ‘Residential Type 3 – Special (R3-13) to facilitate the proposed 3-storey, 22-unit apartment building.

THAT that the Council of the Township of Zorra advise County Council that the Township supports the application for Official Plan Amendment, File No. OP25-06-5, submitted by Jacob Hiebert for the lands legally described as Pt. Lot 21, Conc. 1, Township of Zorra to amend the existing site-specific ‘Medium Density Residential’ designation affecting the subject lands, specifically Section 6.2.3.2.3, to facilitate the development of a 3-storey, 22- unit apartment building. AND FURTHER THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra approve-in-principle, the zone change application File No. ZN5-25-02, submitted by Jacob Hiebert for lands described as Pt. Lot 21, Conc. 1 from ‘Recreation (REC) Zone’ to ‘Residential Type 3 – Special (R3-13) to facilitate the proposed 3-storey, 22-unit apartment building, inclusive of three affordable units.

THAT Report 2025-067 from the Manager of Recreation and Facilities be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT the Federal Drain 2025 Tender be awarded to TAS Excavating and Rentals Ltd. for their tendered price of $368,133.85 (excluding HST) AND THAT Council authorize Township Staff and the Mayor to execute any agreements associated with the project including an access agreement with Amrize.

THAT Council enact a by-law to enter into an encroachment agreement with the property owner of 115 Argyle Street, Embro for an encroachment that provides motor vehicle parking to their residence.

THAT Council receive Report 2025-076 from the Director of Corporate & Protective Services; AND THAT Council pass a resolution to enact the necessary by-law to approve full acceptance and assumption of the Municipal Works and Services constructed and installed within Registered Plans 41M-382, 41M-386 and 41M-393 (Phase 1A and 1B – Kingwood Riverside Subdivision), excluding road stubs.

THAT Council approve and adopt the Green Development Standards Policy, attached to Report 2025-074; AND THAT Council direct staff to implement the policy in future planning decisions.

THAT Report 2025-069 from the Chief Administrative Officer be received as information.

THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra approve Exemption to the Noise Control By-law submitted by the Tavistock and District Rod and Gun Club for an event located at 336994 33rd Line on Saturday, October 25, 2025, to allow an additional trap shoot from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m; AND THAT the Tavistock and District Rod and Gun Club distribute an informative handout with the event information to all surrounding neighbours by October 18, 2025.

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

THAT items 12(a) and (b) be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT item 13(a) be received and filed for information purposes only.

WHEREAS the Minister of Education introduced the Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025 that will in part review the governance of Ontario school boards; and, WHEREAS the Ministry of Education has appointed a supervisor for the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) to supervise all financial and operational decisions, review the board’s finances and executive pay practices, assess the board’s financial operations and the reasons for its deteriorating financial position, identify capital assets for disposition, and recommend if control of the school board should be vested in the Ministry of Education; and, WHEREAS area municipalities collect property taxes on behalf of the Province of Ontario Ministry of Education that is then re-allocated in part to the TVDSB to be spent in our communities; and WHEREAS Zorra Township communities are served by the education services provided by the TVDSB; and WHEREAS the schools in our communities also provide a broader impact than education alone; and WHEREAS Zorra Township communities have historically struggled to have a constructive relationship with the TVDSB; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra supports the work of the appointed supervisor and the Minister of Education in reviewing the governance of the TVDSB; and THAT alternate structures be considered to more effectively and efficiently serve the students and communities of Zorra Township; and, THAT this resolution be forwarded to all TVDSB muni

THAT by-laws 29-25 and 30-25 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 31-25, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held July 16, 2025, be read a first, second and third time this July 16, 2025; 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 1:28 p.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for the August 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Zorra Municipal Centre.