(you can read the entire report by clicking on the title above)
Planning Public Meetings; Presentations; Mayor’s Economic Action Initiative; Parking at Jackson and Woodland Beach Park; Champlain Commemorations; County Council Update; Appointments to Project Advisory Committe Septage Management Class EA Study; Historical and Heritage Committee/Doors Open Huronia; Lafontaine Pavilion Update; County Easement Near the North Simcoe Transfer Station
REPORT ON COUNCIL
Jan. 31, 2011
Committee of the Whole Meeting: 9:00 am to 12:10 pm and 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Closed session – 2:50 pm to 4.59:pm
Planning Public Meetings: 7:00 pm to 7:29 pm
Regular Evening Meeting: 7:30 pm to 7:51 pm
Mayor Millar, Deputy Mayor Lawrence and Councilors Claire, Warren and Wishart present
PLANNING PUBLIC MEETINGS
There were four public meetings held under the Planning Act prior to the regular meeting. The first three dealt with relatively minor changes to the Blairhampton properties north of Conc, 20. No persons spoke to them and no objections had been registered. Each took about five minutes.
A further issue in this area arose in the morning at the Committee of the Whole when the developer proposed the closing and stopping up and the transfer of the unopened road allowance Conc. 21W road allowance. The developer is proposing to compensate the Municipality in instalments for the transfer of the unopened road allowance in order to proceed with a draft plan of subdivision, with the final payment to be made once the land is registered on title. This matter will be further discussed at the February 14, 2011 Committee of the Whole meeting.
The fourth meeting addressed a planned extension of the Copeland Woods development, involving the creation of 19 new residential lots of 1 acre each. The current zoning as “Future Development” would have to be changed to “Estate Residential – Exception”. Access would be by a dead-end extension of Overhead Bridge Road, and the subdivision would abut the boundary of Penetanguishene. Aside from the proponent, three nearby residents spoke, expressing concerns about traffic, trees and wildlife. These and other written submissions will be considered in the further approval process.
PRESENTATIONS
The Council heard an overview of how the Mental Health Centre Penetanguishene (MHCP) will be re-developed and what it will offer in community mental health care, such as the number of beds, treatment services for support and recovery, the proposed MHCP Campus and its scope.
They also heard from the consultants working on the Trails and Active Transportation Master Plan, reporting on public consultation and the public survey responses. He outlined details such as the proposed future of Tiny Trail, on-road cycling, ATV and snowmobile usage.
MAYORS’ ECONOMIC ACTION INITIATIVE
The Mayor has been attending meetings with the Mayors of Midland, Penetanguishene and. In order to move the EAI forward, endorsement of the concept in principle by the four municipalities is required, and such a resolution was passed.
PARKING AT JACKSON PARK AND WOODLAND BEACH PARK
There is a staff proposal to make all parking spaces at these parks available on a first come basis with Resident Permit holders being allowed to park in any available parking space without paying for parking at the parking machines. Staff was instructed to develop a comprehensive consultation process to obtain public input.
CHAMPLAIN COMMEMORATIONS
Bonita Desroches, Community Recreation Coordinator, provided a verbal update on the Champlain Commemorations in 2015. Area municipalities and others are involved in the celebration efforts and a Steering Committee includes four sub-committees in charge of fundraising, events, infrastructure and archeological/historical research. She also mentioned some of the economic benefits for the area arising from the Champlain Commemoration events.
COUNTY COUNCIL UPDATE
Mayor Millar reported that the County of Simcoe has approved its 2011 Budget, involving a 1.5% increase. He noted that he voted against the motion to approve the budget and that a motion to defer the budget approval until March to review additional savings was defeated.
APPOINTMENTS TO PROJECT ADVISORY COMMITTEE SEPTAGE MANAGEMENT CLASS EA STUDY
Various appointments are needed to the Project Advisory Committee for the Septage Management Environmental Assessment Study and the adoption of the Terms of Reference for the committee. The Terms of Reference, were adopted and as Council representatives Councillor Warren was appointed as Chair, with Councillor Wishart, as alternate Chair. In addition, staff was directed to advertise for interested parties to serve as Citizen Members on the Project Advisory Committee.
HISTORICAL AND HERITAGE COMMITTEE/DOORS OPEN HURONIA
Councillor Claire reported that the Historical and Heritage Committee recommends that the Copeland Hill Cemetery be a featured site in the 2011 Doors Open Huronia. Staff was instructed to complete the “Doors Open Huronia 2011 Participation Form”.
The Historical & Heritage Committee also recommends that the Copeland Hill Cemetery be designated as an historical site. Council resolved to proceed with the necessary Serving Notice of Intention to Designate” in accordance with Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act.
LAFONTAINE PAVILION UPDATE
Councillor Warren requested an update on the development of the pavilion in Lafontaine. Henk Blom, Manager of Public Works, reported that the structure is now complete. The Lafontaine Parks and Recreation Association is responsible for raising funds for items such as the mechanical works, the septic system and washrooms.
COUNTY EASEMENT NEAR THE NORTH SIMCOE TRANSFER STATION
Councillor Warren referred to a notice in local newspapers by the County of Simcoe in respect to a Notice of Application to Expropriate Easement over lands described as Part Lots 113, Concession 2 WPR (Pts 3 and 5, Reference Plan 51R-1305). Many residents are worried that this could be near the former Site 41 in Conc. 2. He raised the point for the benefit of the public that the subject property is not near the former Site 41 but is adjacent to the North Simcoe Transfer Station in Conc. 2, Old Survey.
