Tillsonburg public meetings in 2023
18 substantive meetings from 2023, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Council Meeting
Council established new benefit options for early retirees effective January 1, 2024, and approved a lot coverage increase for a property on Ross Street. The board also directed staff to update the Official Plan and Zoning By-Law to allow Additional Residential Units (ARUs).
- Approved minor variance for 13 Ross Street to increase maximum lot coverage from 50 m2 to 82 m2
- Directed staff to update Official Plan and Zoning By-Law to enable Additional Residential Units (ARUs)
- Approved early retiree benefits for age 55+ effective Jan 1, 2024: 100% Town paid for 15+ years service; 50% cost-shared for 5-15 years service
- Grandfathered seven active participants in current Early Retiree Benefits program
- Deferred Updated Employee Recognition and Retirement Policy (CAO 23-10) for review
- Approved 2024 Council meeting dates with three revisions and added October 23, 2023, as a meeting date
- Granted Prince Estates Inc a reduction in Lot Coverage requirements for Lots 5 and 6 in Van Norman Innovation Park
Economic Development Advisory Committee
The Economic Development Advisory Committee recommended deferring a planning application for 102 Dereham Drive pending traffic and transportation studies. The committee also recommended creating public video series to explain building permit and residential unit application processes.
- Recommended deferral of 102 Dereham Drive application (ZN 7-23-04 & OP 23-07-07) pending traffic and transportation studies
- Recommended creation of a public-facing video series for building permit applications
- Recommended developing a workshop video series for additional residential unit applications, infilling, and severances
- Approved minutes of the July 11, 2023 meeting
- Moved into Closed Session to consider an investment opportunity and boundary adjustment expansion proposal
Council Meeting
Council approved the 2022 Financial Statements and granted two minor variance requests for property conversions. A zone change application for 332 Broadway to permit additional residential units was defeated.
- Approved 2022 Financial Statements (Carried)
- Approved Minor Variance A03-23 for 22 Bidwell Street to convert a dwelling into a 6-unit apartment (Carried)
- Approved Minor Variance A04-23 for 35 King Street to convert a detached garage (Carried)
- Defeated zone change application for 332 Broadway to permit two Additional Residential Units (Defeated)
- Directed Director of Development and Operations to report on Oxford County's Water and Wastewater Masterplan (Carried)
- Directed staff to work with the County to review truck bypass options (Carried)
Affordable and Attainable Housing Advisory Committee
The committee approved revisions to a high-density conceptual development plan for 31 Earle St to be used for Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw amendments. The committee also formally expressed concerns regarding traffic and safety for a proposed development at 102 Dereham Drive.
- Approved request for AAA Architects to revise Concept 4 for 31 Earle St with a $5,000 upset limit (Carried)
- Approved using the revised 161 Unit High Density Conceptual Development Plan for 31 Earle St for Official Plan and Zoning Bylaw Amendments (Carried)
- Passed resolution expressing concern that Westfield Surplus lands (102 Dereham Drive) are not conducive for high density development due to traffic and safety concerns (Carried)
- Approved agenda for July 26, 2023 (Carried)
- Approved minutes from June 13, 2023 (Carried)
Tillsonburg Airport Advisory Commitee
The committee received updates on airport maintenance, fire inspections, and infrastructure projects. Nav Canada confirmed the Tillsonburg Airport is an airport of entry, which will be shared with the Development Commissioner. No new policies or contracts were voted on.
- Approved the agenda (Carried)
- Approved minutes from March 30, 2023 (Carried)
- Confirmed Tillsonburg Airport is an airport of entry via Nav Canada
- Adjourned meeting at 7:27 p.m. (Carried)
Council Meeting
Council authorized a pilot project for food trucks in the downtown core from July 28 to August 25, 2023. The body also approved funding transfers for a new Town Hall and the Lake Lisgar Waterpark Canteen renovation. A zoning change application for 332 Broadway was deferred pending a revised parking plan.
- Approved Food Truck Pilot Project from July 28 to August 25, 2023 (4-3)
- Deferred zone change for 332 Broadway to permit two additional residential units pending revised parking plan
- Approved transferring rent savings and $25,000 from Tax Rate Stabilization Reserve to Facilities Capital Reserve for new Town Hall
- Approved easement for Hydro One and purchase of Lot 4, Sandy Court
- Approved 2023 levy for the Tillsonburg District Memorial Hospital
- Approved fee by-law updates for pickleball, soccer field rentals, and cemetery markers
- Approved $201,000 transfer from 2022 surplus to Facilities Reserve for Lake Lisgar Waterpark Canteen renovation
Economic Development Advisory Committee
The Economic Development Advisory Committee recommended that Council maintain the vacancy rebate program due to its minimal cost and potential benefit to local companies. The committee also recommended sending letters to telecommunications providers and municipalities regarding poor cellular coverage in the area.
- Recommended to Council that the vacancy rebate program not be discontinued (Carried)
- Recommended to Council that a letter be sent to telecommunications providers, SWIFT, and local municipalities regarding poor cellular coverage (Carried)
- Approved agenda for July 11, 2023 (Carried)
- Approved minutes of June 13, 2023 (Carried)
Special Council Meeting
Council convened a special meeting to move into the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder of Tillsonburg Hydro Inc. No other substantive decisions were recorded in the minutes.
- Approved the meeting agenda
- Moved into the Annual General Meeting of the Shareholder of Tillsonburg Hydro Inc.
- Passed By-law 2023-058 to confirm the proceedings of the June 27, 2023 meeting
Council Meeting
Council awarded a streetscaping design contract for Bridge Street and approved the installation of a rainbow crosswalk. Zoning changes were approved for 97 North Street West to preserve a First Nations cemetery, and an application for the CMHC Housing Accelerator Fund was approved in principle.
- Approved zone change for 97 North Street West to 'Minor Institutional Zone' to preserve First Nations cemetery
- Approved removal of Holding Provision for lands at 97 North Street West
- Awarded $80,901 total contract to SHIFT Landscape Architecture Co. Inc. for Bridge Street streetscaping
- Approved installation of a rainbow crosswalk at Broadway and Bridge Street via 5-year agreement with Oxford Pride
- Approved in principle application to CMHC Housing Accelerator Fund
- Granted Tillsonburg Tri-County Agricultural Society in-kind use of Memorial Park grounds
- Inducted Dan Sanders, Jeff Bes, and Lloyd Andrews into the Sports Hall of Fame
- Declared unopened right-of-way lands south of Wood Haven Drive as surplus
Museum, Culture, Heritage and Special Awards Advisory Committee
The committee recommended that staff investigate the copyright and legalities of posting a 2002 archaeological report on the town website and consult with First Nations representatives. The committee also supported the selection of David Morris for a Volunteer Achievement Award.
- Recommended staff investigate copyright and legalities of posting the 2002 Archaeological Assessment (Stage 4) Final Report on the town website
- Recommended staff contact Six Nations of the Grand and Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation for assistance with website content regarding Indigenous history
- Supported the selection of David Morris as a Town of Tillsonburg Volunteer Achievement Award recipient
- Approved agenda (Carried)
- Approved May 17, 2023 minutes (Carried)
- Received Museum updates from Patty Phelps as information (Carried)
- Received Station Arts Centre updates as information (Carried)
Accessibility Advisory Committee
The Accessibility Advisory Committee received information regarding the Kinsmen Bridge, accessible washrooms at Hickory Hills, and a letter about parking spaces. The committee also reviewed a report on expanding accessible parking stalls at the Tillsonburg Community Center.
- Approved agenda for June 20, 2023 (Carried)
- Approved March 21, 2023 meeting minutes (Carried)
- Received Kinsmen Bridge presentation as information (Carried)
- Received delegation regarding Hickory Hills accessible washrooms as information (Carried)
- Received letter from Mike Hare regarding accessible parking as information (Carried)
- Received report RCP 23-30 Accessible Parking Expansion – Tillsonburg Community Center as information
Council Meeting
Council approved a minor variance for a property addition at 18 William Street and supported two land severance applications for The Salvation Army in Canada. Additionally, staff were directed to review solar eclipse glasses support for the 2024 budget.
- Approved Minor Variance Application A01-23 for 18 William Street to allow a 148.16 m2 addition
- Supported Applications for Consent B22-58-7 and B23-15-7 to sever property for The Salvation Army in Canada
- Directed Recreation, Culture and Parks staff to review support for The Monarch Butterfly Eclipse Project solar eclipse glasses in 2024 budget
- Approved Council meeting minutes from May 23, 2023
- Received 2022 Fourth Quarter Draft Consolidated Financial Results as information
- Received 2022 Q4 department results for Corporate Services, Economic Development, Finance, Fire Rescue, Operations and Development, and Recreation, Culture and Parks as information
Economic Development Advisory Committee
The committee received an overview of Bill 97 updates and a 25-year growth forecast from Oxford County. Several agenda items were not discussed, and the committee entered a closed session to review personnel, land acquisition, and confidential information.
- Adopted the meeting agenda
- Approved minutes from the May 9, 2023 meeting
- Moved into Closed Session to discuss Awards of Excellence, Boundary Adjustment, and TDMH Presentation
Affordable and Attainable Housing Advisory Committee
The Affordable and Attainable Housing Advisory Committee reviewed three conceptual draft drawings provided by AAA Architects Inc. The committee decided to recommend that the consultant develop a more detailed design based on Option 2, the more dense option.
- Adopted the June 13, 2023 agenda (Carried)
- Approved minutes from the May 24, 2023 meeting (Carried)
- Recommended consultant proceed with detailed design of Option 2 (Carried)
Youth Advisory Council
The Youth Advisory Council elected its Chair and Vice-Chair and approved the meeting schedule for the remainder of 2023. The committee also held an open discussion regarding the future of the council.
- Elected Liam Spencer-Enright as Chair
- Elected Sorraya Buchanan-St.Gelais as Vice-Chair
- Approved the meeting schedule for the remainder of 2023
Health Care Advisory Committee
The Community Health Care Advisory Committee approved sending letters of support for service expansion funding for the Ingersoll Nurse Practitioner Led Clinic and the Oxford Community Health Care Centre. The committee also discussed the Family Health Organization (FHO) model of care and physician recruitment strategies.
- Approved letters of support for Ingersoll NPLC and Oxford CHC funding applications (Carried)
- Approved May 16, 2023 meeting minutes as amended (Carried)
- Adopted meeting agenda (Carried)
Affordable and Attainable Housing Advisory Committee
The committee adopted the agenda and approved the minutes from the April 26, 2023 meeting. The body moved into a closed session to review quotes for conceptual drawings.
- Adopted meeting agenda
- Approved April 26, 2023 meeting minutes
- Moved into closed session to review conceptual drawings quotes
Council Meeting
Council approved two playground contracts totaling $184,183.97 and supported the potential discontinuation of the Cayuga Rail Line east of Talbot Road to aid residential growth. The board also approved a revised Sports Facilities Allocation Policy and the installation of naturalized areas at 17 sites.
- Awarded Northcrest Phase II and Elliot Fairbairn playground RFPs to Park n Water for $125,388.30 and $58,795.67
- Supported potential discontinuation of Cayuga Rail Line East of Talbot Road for residential growth in Courtland
- Approved $500 donation from Council reserve fund for TDMHF Taste of Summer Event fees
- Approved revised Sports Facilities Allocation Policy
- Approved preparation and installation of naturalized areas at 17 listed sites
- Extended real estate services contract with Avison Young to December 31, 2024
- Approved a by-law to repeal and replace Property Standards by-law 3638
- Referred Rainbow Crosswalk proposal to staff for further research and a report