Council / Committee Meetings – Thursday, August 12, 2021

Farm Dwelling Severance on Egypt Sideroad in Brockton

After a public meeting, the Planning and Development Committee approved a change to the County Official Plan to allow a severance of a 0.2 ha surplus farm dwelling lot from a 14.97 ha agricultural parcel at 41 Egypt Sideroad, in the Municipality of Brockton. An amendment to the County Official Plan is required to allow the retained 14.77 ha parcel to be smaller than 40 ha. The proposed farm consolidation is strongly aligned with the Bruce County Guiding Principle on Agriculture. Farm consolidations support the agricultural sector by enabling farms to become more efficient and better integrated and encourage alternative methods of production such as implementation of agri-environmental measures and good agricultural practices.

Farm Dwelling Severance on Bruce Road 20 in Brockton

After a public meeting, the Planning and Development Committee approved a change to the County Official Plan to allow a severance of a 0.56 ha surplus farm dwelling lot from a 51.20 ha agricultural parcel at 1100 Bruce Road 20, in the Municipality of Brockton. The proposed farm consolidation is strongly aligned with the Bruce County Guiding Principle on Agriculture. Farm consolidations support the agricultural sector by enabling farms to become more efficient and better integrated and encourage alternative methods of production such as implementation of agri-environmental measures and good agricultural practices.

Lot Severance Near Shouldice Lake

After a public meeting, the Planning and Development Committee approved a change to the County Official Plan to allow a severance south of Shouldice Lake in Northern Bruce Peninsula, which re-creates three original surveyed lots that have merged on title. The severed and retained lots meet the minimum lot area requirements and would have access to an open and maintained Municipal Road through the dedication of Shouldice Lake Road to the Municipality.

Eight-Unit Apartment Building Coming Soon to Kincardine

The Planning and Development Committee approved a Kincardine Official Plan amendment to allow the re-designation of lands at the northwest corner of Kincardine Avenue and Queen Street from Mixed-use to the Residential. This will facilitate the construction of an eight-unit apartment building at the location. The building is proposed to be a 3-storey stacked townhome. The proposed amendment is strongly aligned the Homes Guiding Principle by providing additional rental units to Kincardine’s existing limited rental supply.

Plan the Bruce: Communities

The Planning and Development Committee endorsed the amended Plan the Bruce: Communities Discussion Paper as a foundation for developing policies in the new Official Plan. Recommended directions include an active transportation system and diverse mobility options, considerations for an aging population, support for sustainable local food systems, collaboration with Public Health, crime reduction through site design, and Emergency Preparedness Planning. The recommended directions also include offering a mix of housing types and quality architecture, beautiful streets and streetscapes, inclusive public spaces, accessible parks and waterfronts, expanded urban forest and tree canopy, and highlighted landmarks and entry points. Bruce County is encouraged to continue to be a leader in economic change and business attraction, supporting current business, and encouraging economically sustainable development, green building design, and responsible use of resources. 

Spruce the Bruce Community Development Program Review

The Planning and Development Committee endorsed the directions in the Spruce the Bruce Community Development Program Review Report. Through the review, Spruce the Bruce was identified as a leader in the industry in helping build attractive and welcoming communities. To grow and enhance Spruce the Bruce, a series of recommendations were developed focused on the needs of the County in the current economic context. The report also suggests updating the County’s community improvement program in collaboration with its municipalities. The Spruce the Bruce Program provided communities with resources to maintain and grow healthy commercial areas. It brought stakeholders together to create a vision for future growth and development providing tools and grant incentives to achieve that vision. After 10 years, the Spruce the Bruce program has supported over 450 businesses and organizations. It is now time to make changes to the program to meet the needs of current and future economic realities. 

New Planning & Development Communication Tools

As part of Bruce County’s ongoing effort and priority to improve the quality and flow of information about Planning and Development to County Council, and further to a strategic review of communication tools this year, two new quarterly communications tools were designed. The new Planning and Development Key Performance Indicators Dashboard is designed to bring the Business Plan quarterly and annual updates to life with a more visually interesting presentation of the information that will be on the Department homepage on the County website. A “What Are We Exploring” one-page document highlights and promotes programs and/or events and brings attention to updates of interest that are not captured in the normal Committee project reporting process. 

Update on Delegation of Lot Creation Authorities to Local Councils

The Planning and Development Committee received the report “Delegation of Lot Creation Responsibilities to Local Councils” and directed staff to canvass Local Municipalities to determine if they have an interest in accepting lot creation responsibilities and, if interested, identify local implementation matters to be considered. To date, seven of the local municipalities have passed resolutions about the delegation of lot creation authorities. Saugeen Shores, Brockton, and South Bruce Peninsula are interested in delegation of Lot Creation Responsibilities. Huron-Kinloss, Arran-Elderslie, South Bruce, and Kincardine think Lot Creation Responsibilities should remain with County Council. Based on the local feedback and resolutions passed, there is enough interest in local decision-making authority to merit further discussion with local staff to explore in more detail implementation considerations. This would then inform the drafting of the delegation By-law(s) for County Council to consider delegation of its responsibilities.

2021 Q2 Annual Business Plan Update

The 2nd quarter activities of Bruce County continued to be focused on provision services and initiatives as approved by County Council in the fall of 2020. COVID-19 pandemic challenges continued and while there was some movement towards reopening and recovery, the challenges of the Delta variant and increased case counts continued to impact residents. 

• The Master Transportation Plan has been approved and the delivery of capital programs is on target. 
• Plan the Bruce continued to advance and County Staff continue to connect with entrepreneurs and business owners as they navigate their operations under the ebbs and flows of restrictions in addition to understanding the new consumer mindset. 
• Paramedic Services continued to provide emergency services on the 911 side, and the Community Paramedics kept up with an increased volume of patients requiring at-home care and support. 
• The Museum remained closed in Q2, however community and partner engagement, inquiries, and social media engagement continued to remain high.
• The new position of Director of Long-Term Care and Senior Services started overseeing the County’s two long term care facilities. The pandemic response continued to be the priority focus for both Homes.
• Library services returned to curbside pickup for Q2 and online database usage increased significantly. Work on the Library’s new Strategic Plan has begun.
• Information Technology Services offered internal cyber security training, remote access management, and began to modernize the audio-visual system of Council Chambers.
• Human Services saw pandemic-related impacts to childcare, social assistance, and affordable housing waitlists. The new Penetangore Hub offered increased occupancy while project completion continued to wrap.
• Corporate Services continued to manage and monitor assets, reviewed electric vehicle charger installation options and fleet opportunities, and moved forward with the Development Charge project schedule.

Small Business Property Subclass Review

The Corporate Services Committee approved that the Small Business Property Tax Class will not be implemented for the 2022 taxation year. The Ontario government introduced the 2020 budget, which included a section titled “Enabling Property Tax Relief for Small Businesses” wherein it was discussed that legislation would be introduced that would permit municipalities to create an optional Small Business Property Subclass for certain commercial and industrial properties and provide a discounted tax rate. The legislation has a number of challenges for possible implementation, including timelines, administrator appointments, small business definitions, geographical limitations, discount determinations, impact of property tax class implementation, and increased administrative burdens on municipalities. Bruce County spoke with municipal Treasurers, external organizations, and also facilitated community consultation through virtual workshops and an online survey. 

By-law to Regulate, Control and Prohibit Activities on Public Highways 

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee approved a by-law to regulate, control, and prohibit certain unwanted activity on public highways within the jurisdiction of Bruce County. There have been recent instances wherein landowners have been cutting down trees located in front of their property in the right-of-way adjacent to roads under the jurisdiction of Bruce County without the consent of the County. The by-law addresses this unwanted activity on County right-of-ways.

Consolidation of Vehicle Reserves

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee approved that the Trails Vehicle Replacement Reserve and the Forestry Vehicle Reserve be consolidated with the Machinery Replacement Reserve, and that the Machinery Replacement Reserve be renamed the Transportation & Environmental Services Fleet Replacement Reserve. Transportation and Environmental Services (TES) vehicles and machinery were being managed as three fleets and this consolidation aids in efficiency and flexibility. The Forestry division has one vehicle, and the Trails division has two vehicles. A long-term fleet lifecycle plan, including reserve contributions and withdrawals are in place for the main TES fleet. The forestry and trail vehicles will be included in that plan. 

Automotive Materials Stewardship Service Agreement

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee approved the new Municipal Automotive Materials Service Agreement between Automotive Materials Stewardship and Bruce County. AMS informed Bruce County of their new agreement with Producer Responsibility Organization (PRO) Services that aligns with the Hazardous and Special Products under the Resource Recovery and Circular Economy Act, 2016. The new agreement will come into effect on October 1, 2021 and will support the County’s Municipal Hazardous and Special Waste (MHSW) event scheduled for Saturday, October 2, 2021 in Southampton and going forward in 2022.

Telecommunications Mutual Access Agreement with Xplornet Communications Inc.

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee approved a Telecommunications Mutual Access Agreement with Xplornet Communications Inc. for the use of right of ways under the jurisdiction of the County for the purpose of performing Xplornet Communications Inc. work. Xplornet Communications Inc. has been contracted through the Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) project to provide high-speed fibre-optic broadband services to 3 distinct areas in Bruce County and Grey County. These areas are Lion’s Head, Sauble Beach, and Wiarton.

Capital Projects Status Report – August 2021

The 2021 capital budget for the Transportation and Environmental Services Department (TES) is $11,790,401. Approximatively $3,250,000 is expected to be carried forward from previous years capital budgets. The following lists provide a status update of the TES capital projects for 2021:

• Cold in Place Recycling BR 3 and BR 4 east of Walkerton ($2,313,336) 
• Micro Surfacing BR 2, 9, 19 and 29, West Road ($1,176,699)
• Widening and Rehabilitation BR 6East Mildmay to Grey Road 10 ($150,000) 
• Cold in Place BR8, from BR 14 to Sauble Beach - Culvert replacements only, paving deferred to 2022 ($205,708) 
• Pulverize, pave, and safety improvement at intersection BR 8 and 13 ($31,100) 
• Replace Storm Sewer BR 15 Inverhuron ($35,000) 
• BR 25 Improvements and BR 33 Realignment/New Construction. Phase 3 - BR 25 Bruce St to Goderich St. - Roundabout deferred to Phase 4 ($5,433,843) 
• BR 25 Improvements and BR 33 Realignment/New Construction. Phase 4 - BR 33 - Ridge St to Hwy 21 ($710,000)
• BR 6 Teeswater Property settlement ($20,000) 
• New Signage BR 12 Formosa ($33,000) 
• KIPP Trail Kincardine, Financial Contribution ($70,000)
• Reconstruction BR 30 Chesley ($46,000) 
• Rehabilitate and Reconstruct West Road ($150,000) 
• Luminaires BR 2 and BR 3 intersection ($35,000)
• Luminaires BR 8 and BR 14 intersection ($30,000) 
• Land Purchases at Hwy 9 and BR 1 ($54,000) 
• West Ridge Development Kincardine Phase 1 ($10,000) 
• Replace Durham St Bridge, BR 4, Walkerton ($50,000) 
• Replace Steffler Bridge, BR 12 North of Belmore ($742,979) 
• Replace Culvert BR 86 west of BR 7 ($230,500)
• Arran Township Shed Bridge, Invermay ($78,000) 
• Oswald Bridge Replacement ($25,000) 
• Repair Blackwell Bridge BR 23 ($742,000) 
• Construction New McCurdy Bridge ($12,000) 
• Replace Superstructure Reid Bridge, BR 6, West of Teeswater ($1,290,000) 
• Replace Teeswater River Bridge BR 3 Paisley ($340,000) 
• Repair Culvert BR 86 Lucknow east of Havelock St ($6,500) 
• Repair Saugeen River Bridge BR 4 West of Hanover, financial contribution only ($364,000)
• Resurface the Rail Trail between Walkerton and Mildmay ($100,000) 
• Expand the facilities at the Walkerton Yard ($75,000)
   

This publication identifies highlights from recent Bruce County Council and Committee meetings. Bruce County’s Office of the CAO maintains complete agendas and minutes from all Council and Committee meetings, which can be reviewed at www.brucecounty.on.ca/government/agendas-and-minutes