Regular Council

THAT the agenda be adopted as amended to include the updated By-law ZN5-22-14 (Kingwood); AND THAT item 11(b) and (c) be considered after item 7(a) Embro Dog Park Committee - Request for Water Access and In-Kind Donations for the Embro Dog Park Delegation.

THAT the minutes from the June 17, 2026 Council meeting be adopted as printed and circulated.

THAT the Council meeting be adjourned at 9:34 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 A12-26, submitted by Tru-Willynn Dairy Ltd. (Ruud Arts) for lands described as Lots 6-7, Concession 14 (East Nissouri) and municipally known as 743449 Road 74 in the Township of Zorra, as it relates to: 1. Relief from Sections 7.2.1– Minimum Distance Separation Requirements For Livestock Barns, to reduce the minimum distance separation requirement to the nearest road allowance (Road 74) from 42 m (137 ft) to 30 m (98.4 ft) to facilitate the construction of a new livestock (dairy) barn on the subject property, subject to the following conditions: i) That the relief granted by the Committee regarding application A12-26 shall apply to a new livestock barn at an approximate location as illustrated on Plate 3 of report No. 2026-228, to the satisfaction of the Township of Zorra.

THAT pursuant to the Planning Act, the public meeting be adjourned at 9:52 a.m. and the regular meeting of Council be called back to order.

THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra approve the proposed Zoning By-law amendment to place the lands described as Part Lot 21, Concession 5 (North Dorchester), and municipally known as 602760 Road 60, Township of Zorra, into the ‘Residential Existing (RE) Zone’ to recognize their continued use as a non-farm rural residential lot

THAT the Township of Zorra Council advise Oxford County Council that the Township supports the application for Official Plan Amendment, File No. OP25-22-5, submitted by Prychley Wood Farms Ltd. for the lands legally described as Part of Lot 27, Concession 2 (West Zorra), Township of Zorra to add a special development policy to the Official Plan to recognize a previous farm consolidation of abutting agricultural properties to facilitate a future consent application of a dwelling made surplus through farm consolidation; AND FURTHER THAT the Council of the Township of Zorra approve-in-principle the application for Zone Change, File No. ZN5-25-15, submitted by Prychley Wood Farms Ltd. for the lands legally described as Part of Lot 27, Concession 2 West (West Zorra), Township of Zorra to rezone the subject lands from ‘General Agricultural (A2) Zone’ to ‘Special General Agricultural (A2-sp) Zone’ and ‘Special Rural Residential (RR-sp) Zone’, respectively, to facilitate the future severance of a non-farm rural residential lot made surplus through farm consolidation, and to ensure no future dwellings can be established on the existing agricultural lands.

THAT Council approve the Draft 2025 Audited Financial Statements as presented by the Township Auditor, Christene Scrimgeour - Scrimgeour & Company CPA Professional Corporation.

THAT Report 2026-030 from the Manager of Recreation and Facilities be received and filed for information purposes only.

THAT Council provide notice of intent to declare an approximate 2.4km section of 33rd Line as surplus to the needs of the Township of Zorra.

THAT Council receive Report 2026-058 from the Deputy Clerk/Legislative Coordinator; AND THAT Council approve By-law 43-26 with the following administrative changes: 1) update wording in section 4.1 (3) "himself, herself or others" to align with wording in the fines chart - 'schedule A' to "oneself or others" 2) include a definition for the term "loitering" to provide clarity on the intention of section 4.1(4) 3) update definition of Recreation to include trails

THAT REPORT 2026-069 from the Strategic Initiatives and Government Relations Officer be received and filed for Council's information; AND THAT Council decline to participate in the provincial Bring-Your-Own event designation framework at this time and therefore will not issue municipal designation letters for community or cultural events for the purpose of BYO permits.

THAT REPORT 2026-040 from the Strategic Initiatives Coordinator be received and filed for Council's information, AND THAT Council direct Staff to repeal Policies 500-06 Community Partnership Program Operating Grant and 500-10 Community Partnership Program Capital Project Grant, and approve the proposed Community Grant Policy, as attached to Report 2026-040.

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

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

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

WHEREAS the EDPC is requesting water be installed in the Embro Dog Park; THAT Council approve the installation of water funded by the EDPC; AND THAT the Embro Dog Park accessible trail be added to the 2027 budget; AND THAT an action item be added to the 2027-2031 Strategic Plan directing staff to investigate the introduction of naming rights.

WHEREAS the EDPC is requesting water be installed in the Embro Dog Park; THAT Council not approve the installation of water funded by the EDPC; AND THAT the Embro Dog Park accessible trail be added to the 2027 budget; AND THAT an action item be added to the 2027-2031 Strategic Plan directing staff to investigate the introduction of naming rights. 19-07-2026 Moved by Katie Grigg Seconded by Kevin Stewart AND THAT Council endorse early implementation of the planned trail (AODA compliant) in Matheson Park from 2028 to 2027 with the expectation that 2028 will not see a trail project constructed.

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

WHEREAS, the rapid growth of AI-driven systems, cloud computing and digital infrastructure has accelerated the development of new and large-scale data centres beyond the scope of existing Planning controls; and WHEREAS, the Government of Canada launched the "Canada's National Artificial Intelligence Strategy: AI for all" on June 4, 2026; and WHEREAS, consultation prior to establishing the Canadian Sovereign AI Compute Strategy did not include all levels of government nor did it include proposed regulations for the AI data centre industry to safeguard the environment, people, and our communities; and WHEREAS, the Province of Ontario has not established a provincial regulatory framework for AI data centre industry to date; and WHEREAS, there are legitimate concerns about energy and water consumption, noise pollution, and heat islands associated with the development of large-scale data centres; and WHEREAS, planning for large data centres, including AI data centres, is new for Zorra Township and defined policies should be developed to address the concerns outlined above; THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Staff be directed to consult with Oxford County Planning and Public Works to amend the Township of Zorra Zoning By-lawand Oxford County Official Plan to initiate amendments to adopt provisions and policiesto put in place appropriate controls to address the concerns noted above.

THAT council direct staff to update the annual township volunteer recognition practices to reflect one annual volunteer recognition award.

THAT council direct staff to review active transportation functionality within existing and future development roads, sidewalks and trails networks in Thamesford and Embro, with a focus on connectivity to parks and facilities, AND THAT a report be provided with recommendations for tools that can help promote active transportation with a focus on safety and accessibility to be included in the 2027-2031 Strategic plan with emphasis for completion for year 1.

THAT by-laws 39-26, 40-26, 41-26, 42-26, and 43-26 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 44-26, being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of Council held July 15, 2026, be read a first, second and third time this July 15, 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 1:39 p.m. and the next meeting of Council be called for Thursday, August 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. in the Council Chambers at the Zorra Municipal Centre.