Council Meeting

THAT Council adjourn its regular meeting at 5:03 p.m. and move into Public Meetings pursuant to the Planning Act, to consider applications listed on the September 25, 2023 Council agenda.

THAT Application for Consent B15-23 requested by Henshaw Farms on behalf of Douglas McMillan and Pauline McMillan to convey a parcel of land to facilitate the disposal of a residence surplus to a farming operation having an area of approximately 11.7 hectares for lands legally described as Part of Lot 8, Concession 6 (geographic Township of West Nissouri), Municipality of Thames Centre and known municipally as 20887 Cherry Hill Road, be approved, subject to the following conditions: 1. That the Certificate of Consent under Section 53(42) of the Planning Act be given within two years of the date of the notice of the decision for each consent. The request for the Certificate of Consent shall be accompanied by a written submission that details how each of the conditions of consent has been fulfilled and the fee of $250. 2. That the applicant be required to obtain a rezoning to prohibit any new residential use on the balance of the farm. 3. That the lands to be conveyed be transferred to Henshaw Farms Inc. or one of its affiliated holdings with John Henshaw being the principal, to ensure farm consolidation. 4. That all applicable property taxes, municipal fees and charges be paid to the Municipality prior to the stamping of the deeds. 5. That all outstanding work orders or by-law enforcement issues be resolved to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official. 6. That the applicant provide a Surveyor’s Real Property Report for the proposed residential lot which includes the loca

THAT Application for Zoning By-law Amendment Z22-23 requested by Henshaw Farms Inc. on behalf of Douglas McMillan and Pauline McMillan, for lands legally described as Part of Lot 8, Concession 6 (geographic Township of West Nissouri), Municipality of Thames Centre and known municipally as 20887 Cherry Hill Road, be approved in principle and that the Director of Planning and Development Services be directed to prepare the necessary Zoning By-law Amendment for Council’s consideration at the next regular Council meeting.

THAT Application for Consent B16-23 requested by Monteith Ritsma Phillips on behalf of Patricia Cornelia Wouters to convey a parcel of land to facilitate this disposal of a residence surplus to a farming operation as a result of a farm consolidation having an area of approximately 0.68 hectares (1.68 ac) for lands legally described as Part of Lot 14, Concession 5 (geographic Township of West Nissouri), Municipality of Thames Centre and known municipally as 21656 Heritage Road, be approved, subject to the following conditions: 1. That the Certificate of Consent under Section 53(42) of the Planning Act be given within two years of the date of the notice of the decision for each consent. The request for the Certificate of Consent shall be accompanied by a written submission that details how each of the conditions of consent has been fulfilled and the fee of $250. 2. That the applicant be required to obtain a rezoning to prohibit any new residential use on the remnant farm parcel. 3. That all applicable property taxes, municipal fees and charges be paid to the Municipality prior to the stamping of the deeds. 4. That all outstanding work orders or by-law enforcement issues be resolved to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official prior to the stamping of the deeds. 5. That the applicant initiate and assume, if required, all engineering costs associated with the preparation of a revised assessment schedule in accordance with the Drainage Act, RSO 1990, as amended, with such co

THAT Application for Zoning By-law Amendment Z24-23 requested by Monteith Ritsma Phillips on behalf of Patricia Cornelia Wouters, for lands legally described as Part of Lot 14, Concession 5 (geographic Township of West Nissouri), Municipality of Thames Centre and known municipally as 21656 Heritage Road, be approved in principle and that the Director of Planning and Development Services be directed to prepare the necessary Zoning By-law Amendment for Council’s consideration at the next regular Council meeting.

THAT Application for Zoning By-law Amendment Z21-23 submitted by Stewart Findlater on behalf of Aarts-Can Holdings Inc. with respect to lands known municipally as 3062 Cromarty Drive and legally described as Part of Lot 9, Concession 1, SRT (geographic Township of North Dorchester), Municipality of Thames Centre, be approved in principle provided the requested zoning envelope is setback at least 30 metres from Highway 401 and subject to a Holding (H) provision and that the Director of Planning and Development Services be directed to prepare the necessary Zoning By-law Amendment for Council’s consideration at the next regular meeting.

THAT Application for Zoning By-law Amendment Z23-23 requested by John P. Roney and Sharon Ireland respect to lands known municipally as 20162 Nissouri Road and legally described as Part of Lot 2, Concession 3 (geographic Township of West Nissouri), Municipality of Thames Centre, be approved in principle and that the Director of Planning and Development Services be directed to prepare the necessary Zoning By- law Amendment for Council’s consideration at the next regular meeting.

THAT the Planning Public Meetings adjourn at 5:39 p.m. in order to sit as Committee of Adjustment pursuant to the Planning Act, to consider Minor Variance Application A8-23.

THAT Application for Minor Variance A8-23 submitted by Steven and Lisa Helmers to permit relief from Thames Centre Comprehensive Zoning By- law in relation to total maximum floor area for an accessory building to permit a detached garage having a floor area of approximately 67 square metres and a total maximum floor area for all accessory buildings of approximately 100 square metres for a property known municipally as 3933 Elgin Road, be approved. REASONS  The general intent and purpose of the Official Plan would be maintained;  The general intent and purpose of the Zoning By-law would be maintained;  The effects of the variance are considered minor in nature; and  The variance is desirable for the appropriate use and development of the land.

THAT the Committee of Adjustment adjourn at 5:44 p.m. and Council reconvene its regular meeting.

THAT the delegation from Mr. Jim Vincent, Resident, regarding Oakwood Place, Dorchester - Construction Costs, be received for information.

THAT the presentation by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, regarding the final Community Services and Facilities Master Plan be received for information.

THAT the minutes of the regular meeting of Council, held on September 11, 2023, be approved as circulated.

THAT Consent Agenda Items 9.1 through 9.4 be received as information.

THAT Report No. CS-012-23 be received for information; AND THAT the attached final draft “Community Services & Facilities Master Plan”, as prepared by Monteith Brown Planning Consultants, dated September 2023, be approved.

THAT Report No. PW-FL-002-23 be received for information; AND THAT the Director of Public Works and Director of Finance be authorized to purchase a 2025 Spartan Metro Star MFD Heavy Duty Walk- In Rescue Vehicle from Safetek for the sum of $1,321,686.36, including vehicle inspection costs and rebated HST; AND THAT a contingency amount of $40,000 be included to cover any verified unforeseen price increases or surcharges passed on to the bidder from their subcontractors or parts vendors; AND THAT Council direct staff to include the overage of approximately $537,000 in the 2024 Capital Fleet Budget.

THAT Report No. PDS-057-23 entitled “Road Dedication By-law for Marr Road south of Gladstone Drive” be received; AND THAT Council pass the implementing by-law dedicating Marr Road south of Gladstone Drive as a public highway.

WHEREAS a unified voice is critical in advocating for independent business for the broader Thames Centre community; AND WHEREAS Municipal jurisdiction can play a vital role in joint grant submissions and community infrastructure projects; AND WHEREAS multiple levels of government provide numerous assistance programs with barriers to participation; AND WHEREAS economic development and growth increases the health of our municipality and reduces the overall tax burden; THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED THAT a Thames Centre Economic Advisory Committee be established and that staff prepare the necessary draft terms of reference for Council approval.

WHEREAS Thames Centre’s recreational facilities are highly frequented for community and athletic activities; AND WHEREAS Thames Centre strives to provide a high level of customer service to all residents; AND WHEREAS Thames Centre is a growing community with increased administration and staffing requirement; AND WHEREAS many administrative services are provided through centralised digital platforms; THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED THAT the Chief Administrative Officer Barrick provide a report on the potential implementation of a service delivery model for municipal payments, permitting process assistance, and other administrative processes.

WHEREAS there has been a resurgence of learning how, where and when food is grown here in Canada, with many residents 2 to 3 generations removed from the farm, and over 16% of Ontarians experiencing food insecurity, knowing how food is produced has become more important than ever before; AND WHEREAS acknowledging this, the Ontario Government introduced legislation to the provincial curriculum; Bill 216, Food Literacy for Students Act, 2020 which enacted the introduction of Food Literacy under Science and Technology (Grade 1-8) in 2020 and 2022, respectively; AND WHEREAS benefits of a community garden can not only assist with food literacy but can also:  Provide fresh and healthy herbs, flowers, fruits and vegetables to residents  Cultivate food education through planting, growing, harvesting and maintenance  Offer active and social opportunities that build a sense of community and belonging for all ages  Help to increase a sense of wellness through nutrition, socialization and time spent outside; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to facilitate a proposal to host a community garden pilot project for the 2024 growing season by identifying potential partners, proposing possible location(s) and providing any capital and operating cost estimates to be brought forward as part of the 2024 budget deliberations.

THAT By-laws 86-2023 through 88-2023 be adopted as presented.

RESOLVED THAT Council adjourn to closed session at 7:06 p.m. pursuant to: Section 239(2)(b) of the Municipal Act, being "personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees" with respect to Municipal Service Inventory; AND THAT Council appoint the Chief Administrative Officer as Deputy Clerk, for the purposes of acting as Clerk for the closed session portion of the meeting.

THAT the Closed Session be adjourned at 8:24 p.m.

THAT By-law 89-2023, being the Confirmatory By-law, be approved.

RESOLVED THAT the meeting adjourn at 8:28 p.m.