Blandford-Blenheim public meetings in 2025

Council Meeting

The council will approve in principle a zoning by‑law amendment (File No. ZN 1‑25‑07) to amend the Township Zoning By‑Law No. 1360‑2002. It will also adopt resolutions urging the provincial government to consider alternative proposals to Bill 68’s consolidation of conservation authorities. Additional items include binding the township’s 2026 municipal insurance renewal with Intact Public Entities and adopting revisions to the Municipal Alcohol Policy.

• Approve‑in‑principle ZN 1‑25‑07 zoning by‑law amendment (Township Zoning By‑Law No. 1360‑2002)
• Resolution calling on the Minister of Environment to meet GRCA on Bill 68 consolidation proposal
• Resolution urging the Government to maintain locally governed conservation authorities (UTRCA) amid Bill 68
• Bind renewal of 2026 municipal insurance with Intact Public Entities
• Adopt revisions to the Municipal Alcohol Policy

Council Meeting

The council will adopt the meeting agenda and the November 19 minutes. It will accept the price of $80,600.95 plus HST for a 2026 F250 4X4 crew‑cab truck and move $22,019.57 from the vehicle capital reserve to cover the cost. The council will authorize the mayor and clerk to sign a ten‑year extension of the land agreement with the Princeton & District Museum and endorse the 2026 municipal election communications plan. Four by‑laws will be passed covering fees and charges for 2026, adding a deputy mayor position, amending zoning by‑law ZN1‑24‑26 & ZN1‑24‑27, and confirming council proceedings.

• Purchase of a 2026 F250 4X4 crew‑cab truck for $80,600.95 plus HST
• Transfer of $22,019.57 from the vehicle capital reserve to fund the truck
• Authorization to sign a ten‑year extension of the land agreement with Princeton & District Museum
• Endorsement of the 2026 Municipal Election Communications Plan
• Adoption of by‑laws on fees and charges, deputy mayor appointment, zoning amendments (ZN1‑24‑26 & ZN1‑24‑27), and council confirmation

The council adopted its agenda and the November 19 minutes. It approved the purchase of a 2026 F250 truck for $80,600.95 plus HST and transferred $22,019.57 from the vehicle capital reserve. It directed staff to report on Mill Street traffic calming, authorized refurbishment of the Drumbo Canteen for the Helping Hands Foodbank, and extended the land agreement with the Princeton & District Museum for ten years. The council also passed a resolution expressing deep concern over the pending closure of the Drumbo Bank of Montreal branch and urged the bank to reconsider or explore alternative local banking options.

• Adopted agenda (Carried)
• Adopted November 19 minutes (Carried)
• Directed staff to report on Mill Street traffic calming (Carried)
• Approved purchase of 2026 F250 truck for $80,600.95 plus HST (Carried)
• Transferred $22,019.57 from vehicle capital reserve (Carried)
• Authorized refurbishment of Drumbo Canteen for Helping Hands Foodbank (Carried)
• Authorized signing of extended land agreement with Princeton & District Museum for 10 years (Carried)
• Expressed concern over Drumbo BMO branch closure and urged bank to reconsider (Carried)

Council Meeting

The Township of Blandford-Blenheim Council approved a zone change to allow a 17-unit townhouse development on a portion of lands in Blenheim. The meeting also covered a minor variance for an accessory building, facility policy updates, and the addition of a World War I veteran's name to a cenotaph.

• Zone change from R1 to R3-sp for 17-unit townhouse development
• Minor variance for accessory building at 46 Washington Street East
• Adoption of Township-Wide Facility Booking Policy
• Authorization to add WW1 Veteran Corporal Richard Ruscoe to Drumbo Cenotaph
• Adoption of revised Municipal Alcohol Policy

The council adopted the meeting agenda and prior minutes. It approved a minor variance for 46 Washington Street East to allow an accessory building. It approved in principle a zone change to Special Residential Type 3 for a 17‑unit townhouse project and endorsed the draft condominium plan. Several symbolic resolutions supporting community initiatives were also carried.

• Adopted agenda (Resolution 2025-11-19-01) – carried
• Adopted November 5 minutes (Resolution 2025-11-19-02) – carried
• Approved minor variance for 46 Washington St. East (Resolution 2025-11-19-04) – carried
• Approved in principle rezoning to R3‑sp and support draft plan for 2825085 Ontario Inc. (Resolution 2025-11-19-08) – carried
• Supported Niagara‑on‑the‑Lake code of conduct for human‑trafficking prevention (Resolution 2025-11-19-10) – carried
• Supported Elect Respect pledge (Resolution 2025-11-19-11) – carried
• Received delegation from Joanna Taylor (Resolution 2025-11-19-09) – carried
• Adjourned public meeting and reconvened council (Resolution 2025-11-19-07) – carried

Council Meeting

The council will review By‑law 2518‑2025 to amend Zoning By‑law No. 1360‑2002. It will also appoint K Smart & Associates Ltd. to prepare a new drainage report for the Sparks Drain and authorize the preparation of a 2026 fees and charges by‑law. Additionally, the council will approve agreements with Intelivote Systems Inc. and DataFix for internet and telephone voting in the 2026 municipal election.

• By‑law 2518‑2025: amendment to Zoning By‑law No. 1360‑2002 (ZN1‑22‑07)
• By‑law 2519‑2025: confirming the proceedings of Council
• Appointment of K Smart & Associates Ltd., 85 McIntyre Dr., Kitchener, ON N2R 1H6, to prepare a new drainage report for the Sparks Drain
• Authorization for the Director of Finance to prepare a 2026 Fees & Charges by‑law
• Authorization for the Clerk to enter agreements with Intelivote Systems Inc. and DataFix for internet and telephone voting in the 2026 municipal election

The council adopted the meeting agenda and the October 15 minutes. It waived the 30% facility booking fee, appointed K Smart & Associates to prepare a drainage report, and directed staff to enter agreements with the Drumbo Agricultural Society and The Old Barn Café for the Plattsville arena canteen. The finance director was authorized to draft a fees‑and‑charges by‑law and the clerk to contract voting providers for the 2026 municipal election. Finally, the council passed By‑law 2518‑2025 to amend Zoning By‑law 1360‑2002.

• Adopted agenda and October 15 minutes (Carried)
• Waived 30% facility booking fee with notification condition (Carried)
• Appointed K Smart & Associates Ltd. to prepare new drainage report (Carried)
• Directed staff to enter agreement with Drumbo Agricultural Society (Carried)
• Authorized agreement with The Old Barn Café for Plattsville arena canteen (Carried)
• Authorized Finance Director to prepare fees & charges by‑law (Carried)
• Authorized Clerk to contract Intelivote Systems Inc. and DataFix for 2026 voting (Carried)
• Approved amendment to Zoning By‑law 1360‑2002 (By‑law 2518‑2025) (Carried)

Council Meeting

The council will discuss a zone change application (ZN1-25-06) submitted by 1909 Culinary Academy Ltd. for 5183 Trussler Road, moving the land from General Agricultural and Institutional zones to a Special Rural Residential zone to permit a single detached dwelling. They will also take the third reading of By-law 2306-2022 to approve a franchise agreement with Sedum Master Inc., and consider By-law 2516-2025 to amend the township’s zoning by-law. Additional agenda items include a capital‑projects road tour and several staff reports.

• Application for Zone Change ZN1-25-06, 1909 Culinary Academy Ltd., 5183 Trussler Road – rezoning to Special Rural Residential Zone (RR‑sp)
• By‑law 2306-2022 – authorization of a franchise agreement between the Township of Blandford‑Blenheim and Sedum Master Inc.
• By‑law 2516-2025 – amendment to Zoning By‑law No. 1360‑2002 (related to ZN1‑25‑06)
• Capital Projects Road Tour – site visits to Princeton Fire Hall location, Princeton Pond drainage works, Drumbo splash pad, River Road closure site, Plattsville residential development update, etc.
• Asset Naming Request – Plattsville Pavilion – council does not approve the request as presented

The council approved a zone change for 1909 Culinary Academy Ltd., converting the land from Agricultural and Institutional zones to Special Rural Residential for a single detached dwelling. It also approved a minor variance allowing an additional residential unit in an accessory building. Several by‑laws, including a franchise agreement and a zoning amendment, were read and adopted. The request to name the Plattsville Pavilion for the Lions Club was denied.

• Approved Zone Change ZN1-25-06 for 1909 Culinary Academy Ltd. – Carried
• Approved Minor Variance MVA05-25 for Simpson & Kielt – Carried
• Adopted minutes of October 1, 2025 regular meeting – Carried
• Adopted minutes of September 17, 2025 Committee of Adjustment – Carried
• Received CBO-25-10 monthly report as information – Carried
• Received FC-25-17 and FC-25-18 protective services reports as information – Carried
• Adopted By‑laws 2306-2022, 2516-2025, and 2517-2025 after readings – Carried
• Denied Plattsville & District Lions Club asset naming request – Carried

Council Meeting

The council will adopt the agenda and approve the September 17 minutes. It will vote to not support the Official Plan Amendment (OP25-08-1) and to reject the Zone Change (ZN1-25-05) proposed by Matthew and Jacklynn Bowcott for a site‑specific animal crematorium. Staff reports include authorizing a new water softener for the Plattsville Arena, budgeting $4,300 for a third flag pole at the Township Administration Office, and adopting a new complaints policy. A confirming by‑law will be read and approved.

• Reject Official Plan Amendment OP25-08-1 for animal crematorium on Part Lot 6, Concession 6
• Reject Zone Change ZN1-25-05 rezoning from General Agricultural (A2) to Special General Agricultural (A2‑sp) for the same land
• Authorize purchase and installation of a new water softener at the Plattsville Arena, funded from the Arena Reserve
• Allocate $4,300 in a future budget for a third flag pole at the Township Administration Office and adopt the Flag Protocol Policy revision
• Adopt the Frivolous, Vexatious or Unreasonable Complaints Policy

The council voted to defer the Official Plan Amendment and the Zone Change application submitted by Matthew and Jacklynn Bowcott. It also approved a dust‑suppression directive for Princeton, authorized purchase and installation of a new water softener at the Plattsville Arena, adopted a policy on frivolous complaints, and allocated $4,300 for a third flag pole at the administration office.

• Deferred decision on Official Plan Amendment (OP25-08-1) for Bowcott property
• Deferred decision on Zone Change application (ZN1-25-05) for Bowcott property
• Directed staff to apply dust suppressant in affected areas of the Village of Princeton
• Authorized purchase and installation of a new water softener at the Plattsville Arena using Arena Reserve funds
• Adopted the Frivolous, Vexatious or Unreasonable Complaints Policy
• Allocated $4,300 in a future budget cycle for a third flag pole at the Township Administration Office
• Adopted a future revision to the Flag Protocol Policy to include the third flag pole

Council Meeting

The Council will adopt the agenda and approve the September 3 minutes. It will consider a minor variance application for Lots 30‑31 and Part Lot 32 to reduce minimum lot area and depth. The Council will approve the Ontario Firefighter Cancer Prevention Grant and authorize $122,000 for the Princeton Fire Station project from the fire reserve. It will adopt the 2026 operating and capital budget schedule, the corporate communications plan, and amend By‑law 2354‑2023 regarding graphic image delivery.

• Approve $122,000 capital expenditures for Princeton Fire Station (Report FC‑25‑16)
• Adopt 2026 Operating and Capital Budget schedule (Report TR‑25‑12)
• Approve Ontario Firefighter Cancer Prevention Grant (Report FC‑25‑14)
• Amend By‑law 2354‑2023 via By‑law 2513‑2025 to regulate graphic image delivery
• Approve minor variance A04‑25 for Lots 30‑31, Part Lot 32 (relief of lot area to 1,770 m² and depth to 40 m)

The council authorized $122,000 for the 2025 Princeton Fire Station project and adopted the schedule for the 2026 operating and capital budgets. It also approved a minor variance for lots 30‑31 and part of lot 32, accepted a drainage petition for Lots 9‑10, and adopted the 2025 Corporate Communications Plan. The council amended By‑law 2354‑2023 on graphic images, recognized the launch of a new municipal website, and set new January 2026 meeting dates.

• Authorized $122,000 fire station expenditures (Carried)
• Adopted 2026 operating and capital budget schedule (Carried)
• Approved minor variance application A04‑25 for Lots 30‑31, Part Lot 32 (Carried)
• Accepted drainage petition for Lots 9‑10, Concession 4 (Carried)
• Adopted Corporate Communications Plan 2025 (Carried)
• Recognized launch of redesigned municipal website (Carried)
• Amended By‑law 2354‑2023 to regulate graphic images (Carried)
• Cancelled Jan 7, 2026 meeting; scheduled Jan 14 and Jan 21 meetings (Carried)

Council Meeting

Council will consider initiating zoning by-law amendments to support additional residential dwelling units, and vote on by-laws authorizing internet voting for municipal elections and a debenture for the Princeton Drainage System. A closed session is scheduled for partnership agreement negotiations. Several routine monthly reports and correspondence items are also on the agenda.

• Initiation of zoning by-law amendments for additional residential units (ARUs) under Report CP2025-252
• By-law 2511-2025 to authorize internet voting for municipal elections
• By-law 2510-2025 for OILC financing of capital works (debenture for Princeton Drainage System)
• Closed session for partnership agreement negotiations (Report CS-25-16)
• Correspondence re: Southwestern Public Health household food insecurity presentation and County of Oxford single-source award for waste container inventory management system

The council adopted the meeting agenda and the August 6 minutes. It directed staff to begin amendments to the township zoning by‑law under the additional residential units policy. The council read and passed by‑law 2511‑2025 (internet voting) and by‑law 2512‑2025 (confirming council proceedings) at third reading. The meeting was adjourned to September 17, 2025.

• Agenda adopted (Carried)
• August 6 minutes adopted (Carried)
• Directed staff to initiate zoning by‑law amendments for additional residential units (Carried)
• Closed‑session discussion on partnership agreement negotiations authorized (Carried)
• By‑law 2511‑2025 authorizing internet voting for municipal elections passed (Carried)
• By‑law 2512‑2025 confirming council proceedings passed (Carried)
• Adjourned to September 17, 2025 at 4:00 p.m. (Carried)

Council Meeting

The Blandford-Blenheim Council will review a tender for a new fire station in Princeton and a subdivision proposal for Westside Communities in Plattsville. The meeting also includes decisions on equipment procurement and zoning changes for residential units.

• Tender bid of $2,563,087.00 (excluding HST) to Abcott Construction Ltd for a new Princeton Fire Station
• Proposed subdivision by Westside Communities (Plattsville) Inc. consisting of 99 single detached and 16 semidetached dwellings
• Purchase of a 2025 John Deere 772G motor grader for $569,900.00 plus HST
• Zone change application for Dayle and Dana Reibling to permit a detached additional residential unit
• Application for EASE grant funding to upgrade public park washrooms in Drumbo, Princeton, and Plattsville

The council accepted a $2,563,087 tender from Abcott Construction Ltd for a new fire station in Princeton. It approved a zone change for the Reibling property to allow an additional residential unit and approved in‑principle a complex rezoning for Westside Communities in Plattsville. The council also waived a permit fee for the Drumbo Fair, denied a noise‑bylaw exemption for a wedding, and adopted a new Document Commissioning Policy.

• Accepted fire station tender $2,563,087 from Abcott Construction Ltd (carried)
• Approved zone change ZN1-25-03 for Dayle and Dana Reibling to Special General Agricultural Zone A2‑sp (carried)
• Approved in‑principle zone change ZN1-22-07 for Westside Communities with multiple rezoning designations (carried)
• Waived permit fee for Drumbo Agricultural Society tent installation at the Drumbo Fair (carried)
• Denied noise bylaw exemption request for Scott Stewart's wedding (carried)
• Accepted grader tender $569,900 from Brandt (John Deere) and authorized auction of the 2007 CAT grader (carried)
• Directed staff to apply for an EASE grant to upgrade public park washrooms in Drumbo, Princeton, and Plattsville (carried)
• Approved and adopted the Document Commissioning Policy (carried)

Council Meeting

Council will hold a public meeting as Committee of Adjustment to consider Application A03-25 for a minor variance to permit an additional residential unit (ARU) within a detached accessory building and increase the separation from the principal dwelling to 47.2 m on lands described as Part Lots 11 and 12, Concession 9 (Blenheim). A notice of motion from Councillor Barnes directs staff to report on installing a third flag pole at the Township Office and amending the Flag Protocol Policy. Council will also consider five by-laws, including a zoning by-law amendment and appointments, and enter closed session to discuss a pending land acquisition or disposition.

• Application A03-25 (Wayne & Dorothy Meacham) for minor variance to permit an additional residential unit in a detached accessory building and increase separation distance from 30 m to 47.2 m on agricultural land
• Notice of motion re: Flag Policy Update directing staff to assess costs of installing a third flag pole and draft policy amendment
• By-laws: 2503-2025 (appoint municipal officials), 2504-2025 (zoning amendment), 2505-2025 (appoint Deputy Clerk as marriage license issuer), 2506-2025 (appoint Deputy Division Registrars), 2507-2025 (confirming proceedings)
• Closed session under s. 239(2)(c) for pending acquisition or disposition of lands

The council adopted the meeting agenda and the minutes from the June 18 meeting. It approved a minor variance (Application File A03-25) for Dorothy and Wayne Meacham, allowing an additional residential unit and increased separation distance on their property. The council entered closed session to discuss a pending land acquisition (CAO-25-17) and directed staff to prepare a report on the matter. It gave third and final readings to five by‑laws (2503‑2025 to 2507‑2025) and adjourned until August 6, 2025.

• Approved agenda (Resolution 2025-07-02-01, carried)
• Adopted June 18 minutes (Resolution 2025-07-02-02, carried)
• Approved minor variance for Meacham property, Application File A03-25 (unanimous, carried)
• Moved into closed session to discuss land acquisition (Resolution 2025-07-02-10, carried)
• Directed staff to prepare report on land acquisition (Resolution 2025-07-02-11, carried)
• Read first and second reading of by‑laws 2503‑2025 to 2507‑2025 (Resolution 2025-07-02-12, carried)
• Given third and final reading to by‑laws 2503‑2025 to 2507‑2025 (Resolution 2025-07-02-13, carried)
• Adjourned council until August 6, 2025 (Resolution 2025-07-02-14, carried)