Guelph-Eramosa council had a lengthy discussion about the Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation Act on Aug. 8, according to Mayor Chris White.
“That went on and on and on that discussion, because it still seems a little ambiguous to us,” he explained. “We’ll be looking for clarity when we formalize these things.”
In November the provincial government introduced the Modernizing Ontario’s Municipal Legislation Act, “which amends the Municipal Act, the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act, and the Municipal Elections Act, among others,” clerk Amanda Knight’s report to council states.
In 2015 the province initiated a consultation process to review legislation that relates to municipal government.
“The consultation focused on accountability and transparency, municipal financial sustainability, and responsive and flexible municipal government,” the report states.
The bill received royal assent on May 30.
Knight’s report states some of the most significant changes to the Municipal Act as a result of the new bill involve policies, meetings of council, term of council, codes of conduct for members of council and the appointment and powers integrity of commissioners.
“Bottom line is there was a large amount of discussion on how is this going to look when we finally get to putting all the policies and bylaws and stuff in place,” White said.
“We want to be sure that it’s clear, exactly what we’re saying and that it’s there for the purpose that it’s intended.”
Council received the report for information.
Self storage
A new site plan from the self storage business at 8572 Highway 7 for an expansion has been approved with conditions.
The application was to add seven new buildings/structures to the site. The site currently has five self-storage buildings as well as a single detached dwelling and accessory structure.
The proposed new site plan conforms to both the Wellington County Official Plan and to the Guelph-Eramosa zoning bylaw.
“The only outstanding item required for site plan approval is the letter of credit from the applicants,” wrote township planning consultant Dan Currie in his report to council.
“They have submitted an acceptable cost estimate for site development works and are in the process of obtaining the letter of credit from a financial institution.
“It is recommended that the chief administrative officer be delegated the authority to approve the plans and enter into the site plan agreement once the letter of credit is obtained.”
Council approved the recommendation.
New lot creation
Council supports the creation of four new residential lots in the Ariss hamlet area.
“The proposal is to retain the existing single detached dwelling on the retained parcel, and create four new residential parcels,” Currie wrote in his report to council.
“The applicant proposes to construct single-detached dwellings on the severed parcels.”
The result will be the creation of five residential lots.
“Each lot will have frontage that will range from 62.28 to 130.51 metres and will range in size from 0.96 to 1.62 hectares,” Currie wrote.
White said council did ask Currie to ask the owner if they had considered commercial use.
“Maybe a convenience store or something, we don’t know,” White said.
“So we’re just going to ask the question just to see if there might be a better use for the property, but at the end of the day, as I say, we’re a commenting agency, we don’t have an issue with it.”
Writers’ Festival
The township has agreed to provide road signs, water coolers, water, picnic tables, garbage cans, garbage bags, parking vests, traffic control equipment and recycling bins for the 29th annual Writer’s Festival in Eden Mills.
Road allowance
Council came out of a special closed meeting on Aug. 8 with two resolutions.
Council has deemed Pasmore Street, between Highway 7 and Division Street, as surplus and the clerk is proceeding with a notice of intent to stop up and close that section of street.
Council also deemed the southwest of half of the Everton Road allowance, between lots 10 and 11, concession 7 to be surplus. The clerk will proceed with a notice of intent to stop up and close the road allowance.
The clerk was also authorized to proceed with a notice of intent to deem Evert’s Portion Plan 70, Eramosa to no longer be a registered plan of subdivision for lots 3 to 5, 14 to 17, 18 to 28, 32 to 37 and 38 to 45.
