Matthew Grant

The meeting commenced with the opening proceedings, including the national anthem, followed by a report from a closed session held earlier. Key actions during the closed session included approving prior closed session minutes, receiving legal advice regarding litigation, giving direction to staff, and approving a negotiation position related to confidential matter SR-1082-2025. The general agenda was then adopted following declarations of pecuniary interest. A significant portion of the meeting involved a public meeting concerning a zoning bylaw amendment application for 163 Drive-In Road West to permit an existing non-compliant towing center, which involves motor vehicle body shop and repair services. Discussions addressed site history, proximity to gas pipelines, and mitigation measures like tree buffering. Subsequently, the council heard a deputation from Atura Napony regarding their Phase 2 Battery Energy Storage System bid for the LT2 procurement process, noting the need for municipal support due to increased energy demand projections and new 8-hour duration requirements, which necessitates expanding the project's footprint.

The meeting addressed the adoption of the agenda and the minutes from the December 9, 2025 session. Key agenda items included a land severance application (PLLA 2025066) for adding approximately 1,500 square meters to 1949 Southshore Road to address lot size compliance, with staff recommending approval subject to conditions. A second application (PLA SR2025762060) sought approval for an easement across 2001 Southshore Road to legalize an existing water line and well connection, also with staff recommending approval subject to the town's consent. Finally, the committee reviewed a minor variance application (PLV 2025 0756204) concerning a reduction in retained lot frontage for a property on County Road 9, which was also recommended for approval.

The meeting commenced with opening proceedings including the national anthem. Council rose and reported from a closed session, where confidential legal advice (SR-1236-2026) was received for information, directing staff to proceed as directed, and a litigation update (SR1237-2026) was received. The agenda was subsequently adopted. The council then convened a public meeting under the authority of the Planning Act to discuss a town-initiated housekeeping amendment to the zoning bylaw (PL Z8 2026004). The amendment intends to permit the use of a data processing center within the general industrial zone (M2 zone) and establish a definition for this use. Staff noted that this amendment does not revise specific M2 zone provisions like setbacks or height, as any future site-specific relief would require a full planning act application process. Concerns raised by the public regarding noise, servicing, and rural landscape impact are being addressed through mandatory site plan control and technical review for any future establishment. Following the public meeting, a deputation was heard from Quinty Conservation regarding seeking council support to be the lead applicant for the Green Municipal Fund Growing Canada's Community Canopy grant to support tree planting projects across 18 member municipalities. The presentation detailed project requirements, funding structure (50% match), and the timeline for participation.

The meeting initiated with opening proceedings, including the national anthem, followed by a report from closed session. Key discussions involved ratifying closed session directions regarding confidential matters: land sale offers for the former CN rail line (SR1138-2025) and human resources reports (SR1161-2026 and SR-1153-2025-h). During public deputations, stakeholders addressed the proposed sale of the surplus former CN rail line. One speaker urged the Council to pause the sale, emphasizing the need to secure community trails funding, protect existing leverage for the Highway 401 expansion negotiations, and maintain trust built by the ad hoc trails committee, suggesting a leasing model with a right of first refusal instead. Another speaker focused on the impracticality and high cost associated with creating an alternate route for the trail, arguing that the existing rail line corridor is the only viable option and that selling it prematurely compromises the town's negotiating position and community goals.

The session involved proceedings including the playing of the national anthem and discussions following a closed session, where three confidential reports concerning cemetery mapping and legal advice were reviewed and acted upon. The open session included convening a public meeting under the Planning Act to discuss two applications. The first application sought to rezone a property from General Industrial (M2) to an Arterial Commercial site-specific zone to accommodate a self-service laundry, wash and fold service, and a water filling establishment within an existing building. Technical studies supporting this rezoning, including stormwater management, traffic analysis showing acceptable levels of service, and noise assessments indicating compliance with daytime limits, were presented. The second application involved a public meeting for a proposed one-story child care facility, where the agent reviewed site context, development details such as parking, traffic flow, and servicing, and summaries of technical studies covering stormwater, traffic, and noise impact, noting that staff recommendations would follow at the next meeting. Specific site-specific zone provisions were requested for both applications.