Council Meeting

THAT the February 24, 2025 Regular Council Meeting Agenda BE APPROVED as circulated.

THAT Council ADJOURN its regular meeting at 5:01 p.m. and move into Public Meetings pursuant to the Planning Act, to consider applications listed on the February 24, 2025 Regular Council Agenda.

THAT Application for Consent B18-24 requested by Adam Chapeskie & Henry Chapeskie to sever a parcel of land having a frontage of approximately 128 metres (419.9 ft) along Fairview Road and an area of approximately 1.2 hectares (2.9 ac) to facilitate the disposal of a residence surplus to a farming operation as a result of farm consolidation for lands legally described as Part of Lot 9, Concession 3 (geographic Township of West Nissouri), Municipality of Thames Centre, and known municipally as 21005 Fairview 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. 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 required fee. 2. That the applicant obtains a rezoning approval to prohibit any new residential use on the lands to be retained being the remnant farm parcel. 3. That all applicable property taxes, municipal fees and charges be paid to the Municipality. 4. That all outstanding work orders or by-law enforcement issues be resolved to the satisfaction of the Chief Building Official. 5. That the proponent provide evidence from an Ontario Land Surveyor which confirms that all structures will be compliant with applicable zoning by-law provisions on the lands to be severed. 6. That the proponent provide evidence from an

THAT Application for Zoning By-law Amendment Z21-24 requested by Adam Chapeskie & Henry Chapeskie for lands legally described as Part of Lot 9, Concession 3 (geographic Township of West Nissouri), Municipality of Thames Centre, and known municipally as 21005 Fairview Road be APPROVED; AND THAT the implementing by-law be introduced in the by-law portion of the agenda.

THAT Application for Zoning By-law Amendment Z18-24 as requested by Brantam Excavating Inc. to rezone the subject property from the Agricultural (A) Zone to a site-specific Agricultural (A-67) Zone to permit an Additional Residential Unit (ARU) as a permitted use, in addition to all other uses permitted in the parent Agricultural (A) Zone for lands legally described as Part of Lots 10, Concession 1, (geographic Township of North Dorchester), Municipality of Thames Centre be APPROVED; AND THAT the implementing by-law be introduced in the by-law portion of the agenda.

THAT Application for Zoning By-law Amendment Z19-24 as requested by Shogun Maitake Odaira Enterprises Ltd. to allow a ‘personal service establishment’ and a ‘retail store’ as additional permitted uses under the existing site-specific Agricultural Commercial (AGC-1) Zone for lands legally described as Part of Lot 9, Concession 1, NRT (geographic Township of North Dorchester), Municipality of Thames Centre be APPROVED; AND THAT the implementing by-law be introduced in the by-law portion of the agenda.

THAT the Planning Public Meetings ADJOURN at 5:30 p.m. and Council RECONVENE its Regular Meeting.

THAT the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council, held on February 10, 2025, BE APPROVED as circulated.

THAT Consent Agenda Items 9.2 and 9.3 BE RECEIVED for information.

THAT Consent Agenda Item 9.1 BE RECEIVED for information.

THAT Report No. PW-ES-001-25 BE RECEIVED for information.

THAT the Thames Centre Sports Wall of Fame Committee DECLINE the nomination received for the 2025 Sports Wall of Fame.

THAT Reports of Committees Agenda Item 11.1 BE APPROVED as presented.

THAT Canada Day events BE SCHEDULED for Monday, June 20, 2025 for fireworks and Tuesday, July 1, 2025; AND THAT CornFest BE SCHEDULED for Saturday, September 6, 2025; AND THAT the Festival of Lights BE SCHEDULED for Friday, November 21, 2025; AND THAT the New Years Eve event BE SCHEDULED for Wednesday, December 31, 2025; AND THAT the scheduling of the two (2) Movie Nights BE DETERMINED BY STAFF, once the 2025 sports schedules are finalized; AND THAT the following meeting dates and times NOT BE SCHEDULED; noting the Chair can call additional meetings at any time; March 12, 2025, April 16, 2025, July 9, 2025, September 10, 2025, November 12, 2025.

THAT Reports of Committees Agenda Item 11.2 BE APPROVED as presented.

WHEREAS Thames Centre is comprised of two growing urban centres; AND WHEREAS side walk maintenance is essential for safe passage of youth and seniors; AND WHEREAS Thames Centre currently shares one sidewalk plow; AND WHEREAS historically sidewalk plowing was done by two separate side walk contractors and separate plow operators; AND WHEREAS dedicated plows offers logistics and service benefits; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council direct staff to prepare a report on options to incorporate a second sidewalk clearing vehicle with salt and sanding capacity, and present budget options concurrent with the 2026 Budget Cycle.

WHEREAS rural property owners face challenges in understanding the available options for secondary dwellings, including Additional Residential Units (ARUs) and severance policies; AND WHEREAS there is a need for clear and accessible guidance to support rural residents in sustaining future generations and maintaining family farms; AND WHEREAS Middlesex County is undertaking an Official Plan review, which presents an opportunity to align local policies with broader planning frameworks; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT staff be DIRECTED to compile a summary of secondary dwelling options for rural properties, including but not limited to ARUs, severance, and other relevant pathways, and THAT this summary: 1. Outline ARU size requirements and permitted range; 2. Detail parameters for severance or excess dwelling considerations for farm operations; and 3. Align with ongoing work related to the Middlesex County Official Plan review.

THAT By-law 19-2025, as amended with the replaced Schedule "A", be read a first, second and third and final time and BE ADOPTED; AND THAT By-laws 20-2025 and 21-2025 be read a first, second and third and final time and BE ADOPTED.

RESOLVED THAT Council ADJOURN to Closed Session at 5:42 p.m. pursuant to Section 239(2) of the Municipal Act, in order to consider "(b) personal matters about an identifiable individual, including municipal or local board employees" in order to review the Community Grant Applications received.

THAT Council APPROVE the following 2025 Community Grants to be awarded:  Boys & Girls Club - $5,000  Dorchester Dream Park Committee - $1,500  Dorchester Ringette Association - $3,000  Dorchester Soccer Club - $2,330  Lord Dorchester Secondary School (LDSS) Graduation Awards - $600  Lord Dorchester Secondary School (LDSS) Robotics Program - $3,000  North Dorchester Agricultural Society - $1,640  Thames Centre Minor Soccer - $1,500  Thorndale Agricultural Society - $6,000  Thorndale Horticultural Society - $2,700  Thorndale Lions Club - $6,000;  West Nissouri Seniors Complex - $5,000; AND THAT $5,000 be APPROVED from the "Council Initiatives" Budget Line for the Abandoned Cemeteries.

THAT By-law 22-2025, being the Confirmatory By-law, be read a first, second and third and final time and BE ADOPTED.

RESOLVED THAT the Regular Council Meeting ADJOURN at 6:09 p.m.