Strategic Decisions from Council - September 30, 2024

Council Meeting Date: September 30, 2024

Strategic Decisions from Council

Consent Agenda Items

Appointment of Youth Representatives to Advisory Committees
Appointment of Municipal Law Enforcement and Property Standards Officers

2023 Audited Financial Statements
In December 2023 the Township engaged the services of DFA Infrastructure International Inc. (DFA) to prepare a report on the Township’s asset retirement obligations in accordance with the new PS3280 Asset Retirement Obligations public sector accounting standard.

PS 3280 defines asset retirement obligations as a “legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible capital asset”. If there is a requirement for the Township to retire, dismantle or remove an asset, through legislation, by-law, regulation, contract or other binding commitment, then the asset retirement will fall under this new standard. Examples of AROs applicable to the Township include future requirements to remove asbestos in buildings, dispose of underground fuel tanks, removal and disposal of refrigerants, and decommissioning of stormwater management ponds. 

DFA’s report identified 116 Township assets that fell within the scope of PS 3280. The total estimated value of the obligations on December 31, 2023, is $1,576,935 and has been recognized as a liability in the 2023 year-end financial statements.

Report to Council

Greenfield Density and Intensification Target Preferred Scenario
Council endorsed Scenario 3 as the Preferred Scenario for land need associated with Settlement Area Boundary Expansion for the Fergus and Elora-Salem Urban Centres. 

In January of 2023, Council authorized staff to retain Watson & Associates Economists Ltd. to consider three additional density and intensification scenarios for Centre Wellington, with the goal of mitigating the amount of land required for the proposed Settlement Area Boundary Expansion. The entirety of Township land surrounding the Fergus and Elora Urban Centres are considered a Prime Agricultural Area and it is not possible to expand either Urban Centre without utilizing land in a Prime Agricultural Area. Council’s objective of reducing the consumption of prime agricultural land is stated in its Strategic Plan. Including the base scenario, the four scenarios under review include the following: 

• Scenario 1: County of Wellington Municipal Comprehensive Review (MCR) – Base: 20% intensification rate and 47 people and jobs/ha in DGA Community Area.
• Scenario 2: 25% intensification rate and 50 people and jobs/ha in the DGA Community Area.
• Scenario 3: 20% intensification rate and 53 people and jobs/ha in the DGA Community Area.
• Scenario 4: 30% intensification rate and 55 people and jobs/ha in the DGA Community Area

Watson presented the results of its scenario assessment to Council in November 2023, as part of staff report PLN2023-55. In summary, Watson recommended a preferred scenario based on an overall greenfield density scenario of 53 people and jobs per hectare, and maintaining the intensification rate at 20%. Watson also accounted for the proposed South Fergus Secondary Plan under development at the time, which incorporates a change in presumed land use from employment to community of 34 hectares, which in overall terms would reduce the settlement area boundary expansion need for community use from 238 ha to 204 ha, and to increase the employment land need from 160 ha to 194 ha. 

The impact of the preferred scenario as presented in November last year is to reduce the community land need from 204 hectares to 120 hectares. The total required settlement area boundary expansion would therefore be a total of 314 hectares.

Click here to review the full Report to Council

Short-Term Rentals in Centre Wellington
In April 2024, Maclaren Municipal Consulting Inc. was retained to conduct public consultation and other activities required to support the development of a Licensing bylaw to address the regulation of short-term rentals (STR) in the Township of Centre Wellington. 

The draft report outlines the community engagement undertaken, including workshops and a survey, highlights the feedback and insight obtained and sets out recommendations for a regulatory short-term rental licensing by-law.

Staff brought the draft report to Council as information and will post the report on Connect CW for further feedback.  Council also directed staff to refer the report to the Economic Prosperity and Growth Advisory Committee for further engagement. 

Report to Council

Official Plan Amendment OP01/23 and Zoning By-law Amendment RZ01/23 - Decision Report (22 Park Road, Elora)
Planning applications have been received to facilitate commercial redevelopment on the land known as 22 Park Road (0.7 ha), which forms part of an overall redevelopment parcel that also includes the lands at 94 Wellington Road 7 and a portion of 82 Wellington Road 7.

The landowners of 22 Park Road, Elora, have requested conversion from Industrial to Highway Commercial Uses.  The overall redevelopment site consists of 3 properties including the vacant parcels at 22 Park Road (subject of the current planning applications), a vacant parcel at 94 Wellington Road 7, and a small vacant portion of 82 Wellington Road 7 (site of the Gorge Country Kitchen restaurant).

Overall, planning staff have no objection to approval of the applications, as they are consistent with the Provincial and County land use planning framework and policies. The conversion request for 22 Park Road from Industrial to Highway Commercial was extensively reviewed and supported by the County and Province, as well as Township Council through the Land Needs Assessment and OPA 119 review and decisions. The subject redevelopment site would provide a range of commercial uses along a highway commercial corridor with no anticipated negative land use impacts.  Council approved the applications.

Click here to view a map of the location and the full Report to Council

Elora Rocks Alcohol Permission During Games
Council approved the request from the Elora Rocks Sr. Hockey Club to permit the service of alcohol in a section of the tiered seating area at the Jefferson Elora Community Centre, subject to the provisions outlined in the Township’s Alcohol Risk Management Policy and compliance with the safe service plan as approved by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

Report to Council

Tourism Building Washroom Project Update and Moloks
Staff had provided an update for the Tourism Washroom project and the option to include Moloks as part of the design as a pilot project. This was in response to the garbage challenges experienced in downtown Elora.

After further engagement and consideration of options, staff recommended not installing the Moloks at the Tourism Office location, as the downtown garbage solution requires a strategic comprehensive approach with all parties involved.  Council directed staff to work with the Elora and Fergus BIA's and discuss downtown garbage with the Wellington County Solid Waste Department for possible solutions and participation.  Staff were directed to proceed with the Tourism Washroom Project as originally designed, without the installation of Moloks.

Report to Council