Petrolia meeting summaries, agendas, and minutes

Petrolia Council Passes 40% Lot Coverage By-Law; Victoria Hall Renovation Contract on Agenda

Petrolia Council has passed By-law 31 of 2026, increasing the maximum permitted lot coverage to 40% on designated future residential development lands. The decision, confirmed in a public notice dated July 16, amends Zoning By-law 63 of 2017 and is open to appeal at the Ontario Land Tribunal until August 2, 2026.

Zoning By-Law 31/2026 Passed

Council passed By-law 31 of 2026, amending Zoning By-law 63 of 2017 to permit a maximum lot coverage of 40% on lands rezoned to R1-11 and R1-11 H zones. The amendment changes several existing zones (R1, R1-H) to new exception zones and revises sections 5.3, 5.5, 5.11, 5.12, and 5.13 to clarify holding provisions and exceptions.

The by-law applies to multiple properties slated for future residential subdivision. No map was attached to the public notice. Residents who wish to appeal the decision may file with the Ontario Land Tribunal by August 2, 2026.

July 13 Council Regular Session

Council's regular session on July 13 included several items on the agenda for which minutes have not yet been published. The agenda listed the following items for decision:

• **Victoria Hall renovation contract**: A proposed contract with CIMA+ for $452,800.00 plus $45,280.00, excluding HST, for renovations to Victoria Hall.
• **OCWA water management contract**: A proposed award to OCWA for sanitary and storm water management services under CLI ECA at $49,481.21 plus HST.
• **By-law 31-2026 (lot coverage)**: Listed for passage to increase permitted lot coverage to 40% on future residential development lands — subsequently confirmed as passed in the July 16 public notice.
• **2025 audited financial statements**: Listed for adoption, including a transfer of a $428,461 surplus to working and tax reduction reserves.
• **By-law 29-2026 (fencing)**: Listed for first and second reading, prescribing fence height and type regulations.

The agenda also included committee updates, a delegation on the Kerr Park Project, and public comment periods. Because minutes are not yet published, the outcomes of the Victoria Hall contract, OCWA award, financial statement adoption, and fencing by-law readings are not confirmed in the available record.

Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting

The Petrolia Heritage Advisory Committee met on July 8. Minutes are not yet published. The agenda included discussion of:

• A heritage grant application for 4169 Petrolia Line (St. Paul's United Church), approved in principle pending an August 31 deadline.
• Return of Bob Crawford's scrapbooks.
• Finalization of North Cemetery signage.
• A signage bylaw discussion for the downtown heritage core.
• A proposed $1,500 budget for hosting the 2027 Lambton Heritage Conference in Petrolia.
• Plans for a Percy Cox/White Rose Band interpretive sign, including text, photos, and location.

Coming Up

No upcoming meetings are listed for the next 14 days. Residents seeking to appeal By-law 31/2026 should note the August 2, 2026 deadline to file with the Ontario Land Tribunal.

Petrolia council weighs soccer club shed lease, zoning change for subdivisions

Petrolia Town Council's June 22 regular session agenda included a proposed lease for a soccer club storage shed and a by-law on fence regulations, while a separate public information meeting that same night floated a zoning amendment to allow denser lot coverage in new subdivisions. No official minutes from either meeting have been published, so the outcomes remain pending.

Council regular session – proposed items

The council agenda for June 22 listed several items for consideration:

• A lease with the Petrolia Soccer Club for a storage shed at Heritage Field (360 Tank Street).
• A by-law regulating fence height and type on private property.
• A by-law authorizing powers of entry for inspections.
• A waiver of the 3% lottery licence fee for 2025.
• A temporary noise by-law exemption for a private backyard event.

Because minutes have not yet been published, it is not known whether council approved, deferred, or amended these items.

Public meeting on zoning change

Also on June 22, the town held a public information meeting (a non-decision session) to discuss a proposed zoning by-law amendment. The amendment would increase the maximum permitted lot coverage from 35% to 40% for new residential subdivisions. It would apply only to lands already zoned residential and designated for future development – specifically properties currently zoned R1 and R1-H, which would be rezoned to R1-11 and R1-11(H). The proposal does not affect existing developed areas or woodlot designations.

Planning staff recommended moving forward with a draft by-law for council's July 13 meeting. Since the meeting was informational only, no vote was taken.

Coming up

No public meetings are scheduled for the next two weeks. The next regular council session is expected in mid-July; check the town's website for the official calendar.