Orillia meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Orillia roundup: Development agreements executed, Council set to vote on $26M in capital projects

Orillia residents saw several development agreements finalized in recent weeks, while City Council prepares to vote on more than $26 million in capital project budgets at its July 20 meeting.

Development and building permits

A development agreement has been executed for 15 townhouse units at 51-79 Lightfoot Drive, according to the July 10 Council Information Package. A separate development agreement was executed for an Orillia Volkswagen expansion at 345 West Street South.

The July 17 Council Information Package lists a proposal to remove Holding Zones H25 and H6 at 21 Diana Drive, which would allow construction of a car wash and industrial buildings. That item is slated for Council review.

Affordable housing incentives under review

The Affordable Housing Working Group met July 8 to discuss a financial assistance application from Hillcrest Lodge for a second retirement home at 86 Cedar Street, proposing 16 rent-geared-to-income units.

Staff recommendations include reduced securities set at 30% of total value, a $10,000 per-unit capital grant totaling $160,000, and a grant of up to $168,493.60 for planning, building, and engineering fees. All funding would come from the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund. Minutes have not yet been published; the working group may provide additional comments before recommendations go to Council.

Tax bills and parking by-law amendments

The July 17 Council Information Package reports the issuance of 69 supplementary and omitted tax bills for 2024–2026, totaling $449,839.88.

Proposed amendments to Traffic and Parking By-law 2007-55 include adding accessible parking spaces at 345 West Street South, installing No Parking signage at Couchiching Beach Park and 200 Bay Street, and implementing parking restrictions on Borland Street.

Transit and recreation updates

The Georgian Route transit stop on the former Georgian College campus will be removed effective July 24, per the July 10 Council Information Package. The Orillia Recreation Centre pool will undergo annual maintenance from August 16 to September 14, 2026.

Food strategy and community gardens

The Orillia Food Access and Sustainability Working Group met July 17 to review a draft 2027 budget request for the Orillia & Area Food Strategy. The agenda included a $600 approval for Food Strategy promotional materials, discussion of community garden programming and policy review, an update on Orillia Farmers' Market operations, and follow-up on the provincial Hunters for the Hungry program. Minutes are not yet published.

Accessibility committee reviews youth centre designs

The Accessibility Advisory Committee met July 9 to review preliminary renovation designs for the former CNR Train Station at 150 Front Street South, planned as the Orillia Youth Centre. The committee also heard a demonstration of an accessible ballot marking device, reviewed a 2027 budget memo, and considered a letter of support for a New Horizons for Seniors Fund grant application from the Golden Growers Club. Minutes are not yet published.

Coming up

• **July 20 — Regular Council Meeting:** Council will vote on $11,913,557 for the Orillia Transit Terminal Construction (Capital Project 27454), $8,566,680 for Laclie Street Phase 3 Construction (Capital Project 27252), and $6,150,000 for the Forest Avenue Sewer Pump Station and Collins Drive Upgrades (Capital Project 27257). Council will also consider extending the Community Connection Hub project to March 31, 2027, and dissolving the Addiction and Overdose Crisis Working Group.
• **July 20 — Special Council Meeting (Winter Control):** Council will review Policy 2.1.4.1 – Winter Control, including a proposed one-time capital budget increase of $1,450,000 and an annual operating budget increase of $1,256,000 for snow-removal equipment and staffing.
• **July 21 — Waste Management Advisory Committee:** The committee will review the 2027 Waste Management budget submission and discuss the 2026 Waste Minimization Plan. Next meeting is set for September 15, 2026 at 4:15 PM.
• **July 28 — Transportation and Parking Working Group:** No agenda items were listed as of publication.

Orillia roundup: Townhouse development agreement executed, council to weigh paramedic services contract and affordable housing grants

Orillia saw several government meetings over the past two weeks, though minutes have not yet been published for any of them. Here is what the agendas and information packages indicate was scheduled, proposed, or reported.

Development and infrastructure

A July 10 Council Information Package reports that a development agreement has been executed for 15 townhouses at 51-79 Lightfoot Drive. A second development agreement was executed for an Orillia Volkswagen expansion at 345 West Street South. The same package notes that the Orillia Recreation Centre pool will undergo annual maintenance from August 16 to September 14, 2026, and that the Georgian Route transit stop on the former Georgian College campus will be removed effective July 24.

A July 3 Council Information Package reports that construction of the Foundry Park Pickleball Complex at the Orillia Recreation Centre is scheduled to run from July 13 to October 30, 2026, with Court Surface Specialists Ltd. as contractor.

Council agenda: paramedic services, speed limits, living wage

Orillia council's June 29 regular meeting agenda included several items for consideration. Council was scheduled to consider authorization of Municipal Services Management Agreements with the County of Simcoe and City of Barrie for paramedic, social services, and long-term care covering 2026-2029. The agenda also listed direction on becoming a living wage employer, a reduced speed limit pilot project at 40 km/h on city streets, and a Transit Electrification Study for direction on options. A deputation from Mountain Movers requesting $44,000 for a Women's Centre was also on the agenda. Outcomes are not yet confirmed because minutes have not been published.

Affordable housing at 86 Cedar Street

The Affordable Housing Working Group met July 8 to discuss a financial assistance application from Hillcrest Lodge for a second retirement home at 86 Cedar Street, proposing 16 rent-geared-to-income units. Staff recommendations include reduced securities set at 30% of total value, a $10,000 per unit capital grant for 16 units totaling $160,000, and a grant of up to $168,493.60 for planning, building, and engineering fees, all from the Affordable Housing Reserve Fund. The working group may provide additional comments before recommendations go to Council.

Accessibility Advisory Committee

On July 9, the Accessibility Advisory Committee was scheduled to review preliminary renovation designs for the former CNR Train Station at 150 Front Street South, planned as the Orillia Youth Centre. The agenda also included a demonstration of an accessible ballot marking device, a 2027 budget memo presentation by the Deputy Clerk, and a request for a letter of support for a New Horizons for Seniors Fund grant from the Golden Growers Club.

Fire department grant and other correspondence

The July 3 Council Information Package reports the City was awarded an $8,750 TC Energy grant for the Canine Assistance Orillia Fire Department mental health program. The package also included a mayor's response to boulevard parking concerns in West Ridge; no by-law amendment was considered. Additional correspondence from other municipalities covered highway improvements, a cancer clinic, intimate partner violence, property reassessment, voters lists, Bill 119, firefighter certification, invasive plants, and the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Coming up

Orillia Food Access and Sustainability Working Group — July 16, 2026: The group will review a draft report for a 2027 budget request for Orillia & Area Food Strategy Support, discuss community garden programming and policy, receive an update on Orillia Farmers' Market operations, consider approval of $600 for Food Strategy promotional materials, and follow up on the provincial Hunters for the Hungry program. A virtual Public Information Centre for proposed Two-Zone Floodplain policies is also scheduled for July 16, 2026.