Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as printed and circulated

THAT the minutes from the January 22, 2026 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 a Minor Variance Application.

THAT the Township of Zorra Committee of Adjustment approve Application A20-25, submitted by David Kasubeck and Laura Fletcher, for lands described as Plan 987, Lot 6 E, Part Lot 5, Thamesford and municipally known as 221 McCarty Street in the Township of Zorra, as it relates to: 1. Relief from Section 5.1, Table 5.1.1.3 – Regulations for Accessory Uses; i. to increase the maximum permitted height for an accessory structure from 4.0 m (13.1 ft) to 5.0 m (16.6 ft); to facilitate the construction of a structure accessory to a residential use on a property zoned ‘Residential Type 1 Zone (R1)’ in the Township of Zorra. Subject to the following condition: i. That the construction of the proposed residential accessory building (detached garage) be established in the general location as illustrated on Plate 3 of Report 2026-43, to the satisfaction of the Township of Zorra Building Department.

THAT Council move out of the Committee of Adjustment, and pursuant to the Planning Act that the public meeting be adjourned at 9:38 a.m. and the regular meeting of Council be called back to order.

THAT Report 2026-015 from the Director of Public Services be received and filed for information purposes; AND THAT Council direct staff to allocate surplus funds in the amount of $38,620.40 from the 2025 Capital Bridge 180 Project to fund costs to replace the large diameter cross culvert on the 23rd Line; AND THAT wages, benefits and equipment rental costs in the amount of $20,651.24 be funded from the 2025 operating budget to fund costs to replace the large diameter cross culvert on the 23rd Line.

THAT Report 2026-014 from the Director of Public Services be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2026-003 from the By-law Officer be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2026-007 from the Chief Building Official / Drainage Superintendent and Building Services Coordinator be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2026-017 from the Deputy Treasurer/Financial Analyst be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Report 2026-002 from the Strategic Initiatives Coordinator be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra advise Oxford County that the Township supports a two (2) year extension of draft approval for the plan of subdivision submitted by Mimadala Holdings Inc. (SB18-09-5), for lands described as Part Lot 20, Conc. 1 (N. Oxford), Township of Zorra, to March 11, 2028 to provide the owner with additional time to complete all conditions of draft plan approval and register the draft plan of subdivision.

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

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

WHEREAS the provincial government has created new property tax classes available to municipalities; and, WHEREAS the newly available Small-Scale On-Farm Business Subclasses provides municipalities with the flexibility to tax the first $50,000 of assessed value of qualifying value-added and commercial activities on farms at a rate that is 75 per cent lower than the commercial or industrial tax rate that would otherwise apply; and, WHEREAS this is intended to support a level playing field with larger processors and off-farm businesses, this treatment is limited to on-farm processing and commercial facilities that are assessed below $1 million; and, WHEREAS this is a part of Ontario’s plan to encourage job growth in the agriculture sector and support rural economies; and, WHEREAS Oxford County, especially in a world of tariffs, automotive shutdowns, and general economic uncertainly, more than ever needs to encourage agriculture sector diversification and support our rural economy; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Zorra Township Council requests that Oxford County Council direct staff to consider the inclusion of the Small-Scale Value-Added Business subclass in the 2026 tax ratios policy; AND THAT this be circulated to the area municipalities in Oxford County and ROEDC.

THAT By-law 07-26, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held February 4, 2026, be read a first, second and third time this February 4, 2026; 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 10:43 a.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for the February 18, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chambers at the Zorra Municipal Centre.