Council / Committee Meetings – Thursday, February 17, 2022

2021 Q4 Business Plan Updates

The Executive Committee reviewed the 2021 Q4 Business Plan update from each County service area. As part of the annual budget process, all County service departments provide an overview of their activities and priorities through a quarterly business plan review and update process. In 2021, staff continued to respond to the evolving impacts of the pandemic and were able to advance several important initiatives including advancement on: Indigenous Reconciliation Planning, Corporate Communications Strategy, Corporate Facilities Resources Plan, Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy, Development Charge study, Homelessness Enumeration, Child Care and Operator funding, Employment Services Transformation, BCHC Capital Projects, Library Strategic Plan, Library Membership Drive, Library Bookmobile fundraising, LTC software upgrades, Museum Digital Content Strategy, Port Elgin Paramedic Station, New County Official Plan, Economic Development Strategic Plan Framework, Master Transportation Plan, T&ES software upgrades, and Workplace Engagement Services software upgrades. 

Affordable Housing Update 

The Housing Services Committee reviewed the Affordable Housing Update. As Service System Manager, the Housing Services Division of the Human Services Department establishes, administers, and funds housing and homelessness programs and services within the community. Included in this role, is supporting the development of affordable housing a defined as 80% of the average market rent as determined by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation. In 2022, Bruce County looks forward to launching innovating strategies such as the Affordable Housing Development Toolkit and exploring increasing rental opportunities for low to moderate income families and seniors and households with a disability. Bruce County currently offers 5 streams of rent supplement to approximately 80 households across the region. As well, approximately 45 residents receive the Canada Ontario Housing Benefit to assist with housing affordability. Currently, Bruce County Housing Corporation owns 27 buildings throughout the County, as well as 16 townhouses in the Municipality of Kincardine, 8 townhouses in the Town of Saugeen Shores, and 2 semi-detached homes in the Municipality of Brockton. Of the 699 units owned by BCHC, 38 units are Affordable Housing Units and 10 are modest market units. The remaining units (651) are rent-geared-to-income (RGI) units, with specific eligibility. Additionally, there are 63 affordable housing units across Bruce County owned by private and other non-profit landlords. These units were built with provincial funds administered via the County. There are 2 Non-profit housing providers in Bruce County offering a total of 60 RGI units, also regulated by the HSA, 2011. In Bruce County, the affordable housing thresholds for 2020 for low-income families are rents below $1,014 and ownership costs below $346,600. There is a need for developers and builders to create new ownership housing that is affordable to moderate income households earning $63,500 to $95,400 annually, with purchase prices in the range of $230,700 to $346,600. These numbers are reflective of 30% of Gross Income.

Community Paramedic Funding

On Monday, February 14, 2022, Bruce County received notice of funding from the Ministry of Long-Term Care that will provide up to $2,500,000 in one-time funding for a 2.5-year period ending in 2024 for the implementation of the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care program. The Paramedic Services Committee approved the signing of the Community Paramedicine for Long-Term Care Transfer Agreement and that the 2022 Paramedic Services budget be amended to include the new revenue and associated expenditures associated with this new funding.

Agriculture Amendment Information

After a public meeting and discussion, the Planning & Development Committee received County Official Plan Amendment – C-2021-025 Agriculture Amendment and directed staff to return to a future meeting with further analysis of the comments received at the public meeting and a Recommendation for consideration. The proposed amendments, if approved, would implement policy changes to the Agriculture section of the Bruce County Official Plan that would reduce the number of planning applications required for land division proposals in the agricultural area that are routine in nature. The amendment will also allow a more diverse range of agriculture related and on-farm diversified uses in accordance with increased flexibility provided for in Provincial Policy. New policies clarify the requirements for applications to create agricultural lots that would be less than the 40 ha minimum lot area for farms in the Prime Agricultural Area. The Amendment is consistent with the Provincial Policy Statement and advances interests in seeing improvements to the agricultural policy framework in advance of completing the new County Official Plan project.

Kincardine Subdivision on Golf Links Road

The Planning & Development Committee approved a 33-lot residential Plan of Subdivision on a 2.14-hectare parcel of land in Kincardine on Golf Links Road. The subdivision is strongly aligned with both the Good Growth and Homes Guiding Principles and is to be fully serviced by both municipal water and sewer, within Kincardine. The proposal will result in a mix of housing types, including 10 single detached dwelling, 19 townhomes, and 4 semi-detached dwellings. The proposal is aligned with the County’s Community Guiding Principles by creating a range of housing options in close proximity to community amenities, such as parks, Kincardine’s Hospital, and Downtown.

Lot Creation in Kincardine

The Planning & Development Committee approved a Consent application to create a new vacant residential lot approximately 0.41 ha from an existing residential property at 27 Whispering Woods, in the Municipality of Kincardine. An amendment to the Municipality of Kincardine Official Plan is required to allow relief of the requirement for new infill lots to be located between two existing dwellings that are not more than 100 metres apart. The Good Growth guiding principle would be supported by the creation of a new infill residential lot in the Kincardine Lakeshore area, which is designated a Secondary Urban Community. The County Official Plan directs growth to settlement areas like the Kincardine Lakeshore. However, the extension of municipal infrastructure to this area is not feasible at this time. The size of the proposed lot is adequate to accommodate private services. The proposal is strongly aligned with the Homes guiding principle by facilitating the creation of a new residential lot in the Kincardine Lakeshore area, which provides an opportunity for additional housing.

Lot Consolidation in Stokes Bay

The Planning & Development Committee approved a lot consolidation for a dwelling, septic system, and well on two existing parcels within the hamlet of Stokes Bay in the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula. A significant portion of the lands are below the 100-year flood elevation. The application proposes to amend the Bruce County Official Plan to permit flood mitigation measures to be constructed on the property and to permit development that would elevate the property above the 100-year flood elevation. The proposal is aligned with the Homes and Good Growth Guiding Principles by permitting the construction of one dwelling within the Hamlet of Stokes Bay. The proposal is also aligned with the Natural Heritage Guiding Principle by implementing the recommendation of the Environmental Impact Study as well as including additional measures recommended by the Saugeen Ojibway Nation regarding impacts to fisheries.

Plan the Bruce: Natural Legacy Discussion Paper

The Planning & Development Committee endorsed the Plan the Bruce: Natural Legacy Discussion Paper as a foundation for developing policies and mapping in the new Official Plan. The Plan the Bruce: Natural Legacy Discussion Paper is one of eight Discussion Papers that will be completed through the Plan the Bruce project. Key themes include: Natural Heritage System Mapping, Water Resource System, Focus Policy on Overall Direction and Use Guidelines for Detailed Direction, Avoid Duplicating or Creating Conflicting Policies and Directions, Link Policy to System Mapping, Prepare Accessible Guidelines and Tools to Support Implementation, Provide Essential Materials in Accessible Format(s), Consider a Community Planning Development Permit System (C.P.P.S.), Use Different Forestry Practices for Different Areas, Progressive Rehabilitation Following Aggregate Extraction, Include Conceptual Natural Legacy Mapping in Settlement Areas, Plan for Sustainable Public Access to Natural Legacy Features, and Continue to Build Relationships with and Learn from Indigenous Communities. Discover more at www.planthebruce.ca 

Planning Act changes regarding Land Division

The Planning & Development Committee received the Planning Act Changes Regarding Land Division Report for information. The Provincial government has changed Planning Act sections related to land division. Key changes include:

• Time for applicant to meet consent approval conditions increased from one to two years.
• New definition of retained land, and clarification that consent criteria and powers relate to both the severed and retained lands. 
• Ability to issue certificates for cancellation of consents, simplifying the process for merging lots and lot additions 
• Further exemptions to the subdivision control Section 50 (3) and Part Lot Control Section 50 (5), reducing circumstances where adjacent lots merge due to common ownership 
• Inclusion of lands ancillary to a part of the building in provisions related to leases 
• Permitting conveyances for foreclosure and power of sale only where lands could already be conveyed. 
• Establishing the same criteria for validation certificates as for consents. 
• Clearly permitting purchasers or their agents to file an application for consent. 
• Requiring certificates to be issued for retained lands, if requested and a registerable description is supplied. 
• Permitting amendments to a consent application before a consent is given subject to terms that may be set out by the approval authority. 
• Harmonizing public meeting requirements for plans of subdivision with those for other types of public meetings

Economic Development Annual Report 2021

The Planning & Development Committee received the Economic Development Annual Report for information. In 2021, businesses worked hard to adapt to the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. In these tough times, the economic development programs have continued with a deep focus on business and community support measures. Some of the notable efforts were as follows: 

• The Support the Bruce: Business Sustainability Fund continued to provide a unique array of supports to help businesses pivot, adapt, enhance, or reimagine their business models 
• Bruce County in partnership with Grey County formulated a Grey Bruce Local Immigration Partnership Settlement Strategy, a road map to build welcoming and inclusive communities in Grey Bruce and improve the integration of newcomers 
• Continued support for tourism innovation through the Ontario Tourism Innovation Lab 
• Delivery of advertising campaigns promoting sustainable tourism on the Bruce Peninsula in collaboration with local and regional partners 
• The actions items outlined in the Workforce Development and Attraction Strategy continued to address the critical labour force shortage in the region
• The new 2022-2026 Bruce County Economic Development Strategic Plan was developed to guide Bruce County’s economic development in the next 5 years. 
• Further, the report details the progress made towards community development, business attraction, and sector specific enhancements via the three signature programs - Spruce the Bruce, Business to Bruce, and Explore the Bruce. Each of these programs has a unique role and function in growing the Bruce Economy. 

Communication Tool Update and 2021 Year End KPI Dashboard

The Planning & Development Committee reviewed the Communication Tool Update and 2021 Year End KPI Dashboard report. “What Are We Exploring” is a one-page document provided to the Committee that highlights programs, events, or updates that are not captured in the normal Committee reporting process. The Planning and Development Key Performance Indicators Dashboard is designed to bring the quarterly and year end Business Plan updates to life with a visually interesting presentation of the information. Discover more at https://www.brucecounty.on.ca/departments/planning-development

2022 Hazardous and Special Products Events Schedule

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee approved the use of up to $25,000 of the Waste Management Reserve to cover the increase costs of the change to single event days. The committee also approved the draft 2022 Hazardous and Special Products Event Schedule. Stay tuned for upcoming promotions from Bruce County about the 2022 Household Hazardous Waste events.

County Road Network Service Levels

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee approved the County Road Network Service Levels. Committee received a revised report to note the correct time period for snow accumulation on a class 2 road is 6 hours and the repair time period for cracks on a class 3 road is 60 days. To have a clear picture of the road network services provided and at what level they will be provided, a list of road network service levels has been documented. It is important to have documented service levels to communicate to residents the service levels they should expect, to communicate to staff what levels of service they are expected to meet and plan accordingly, and to mitigate liability from operating a road network. Having documented service levels will help in the budget process to identify the impact of budget adjustments. 

2021 Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste Event Summary

The Transportation & Environmental Services Committee reviewed the 2021 Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste Event Summary. The T&ES Department managed 13 Municipal Hazardous or Special Waste collection events in 2021, receiving 3,698 vehicles and approximately 140 tonnes of hazardous and special waste materials. The T&ES Department had a successful year with the contractor, Photech Environmental Solutions, and will be extending their contract for 2022.

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