Strategic Decisions made by Council - January

Council Meeting Date: January 27, 2025 

Strategic Decisions from Council

Consent Items

Code of Conduct Complaint 2024-01 and MCIA Application 2024-01
Designation By-law - 101 St  Andrew Street West, Fergus
Designation By-law - 250 Union Street East, Fergus
Designation By-law - 6717 Sixth Line, Belwood
Designation By-law - 177 Chalmers Street, Elora
Extension of Part Lot Control Bylaw 2019-04
Greenspace Lighting Extension Update

OFM Fire Protection Grant Transfer Payment Agreement
The Fire Chief, in collaboration with staff, have applied a grant to purchase particulate-blocking hoods that will offer increased protection by blocking more than 99.8% of toxic particles absorbing into the skin from burning materials during a fire. The acquisition of the hoods will increase the health and safety of Centre Wellington Firefighters by reducing the risk of exposure to cancer-causing carcinogens. Replacing the current hoods worn by Centre Wellington firefighters and purchasing particulate-blocking firefighting hoods for all staff, which includes 66 volunteer firefighters and 4 management staff for a combined total of 70 upgraded particulate-blocking hoods represents the scope of the application submitted by the Township. 

The Township has received confirmation of a successful application in relation to these grant funds and must enter into a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Province to solidify the funding and permit the release of the grant funds to the Township. Council passed a by-law to authorize the Mayor and Municipal Clerk to execute the OFM Fire Protection Grant Transfer Payment.

Report to Council

Zoning Amendment RZ04-2024 Decision Report - 750 St David Street N., Fergus
Council approved application RZ04/24 for a zoning By-law amendment to facilitate residential redevelopment at the north-east corner of St David Street N., and Parkside Drive E., on the lands municipally known as 750 St. David Street N. The purpose of the Zoning By-law amendment was to change the zoning from “R1C - Residential” to “R4 – Residential Exception” to facilitate the development of a three-storey purpose-built rental building containing 12 stacked townhouse units, accessed from Parkside Drive E. The site is designated as "Primary Urban Centre" in the County of Wellington Official Plan and "Residential" in the Township Official Plan and is within the Fergus “Built Up Area”. 

Report to Council

Zoning Amendment RZ07/24 Decision Report - Centre Wellington Business Park
Council approved a zoning amendment that affected both the permitted uses and the lot regulations of the Business Park. 

Township staff reviewed the current zoning provisions and determined that the Business Park Strategy (BPS) recommendations can be addressed through an exception to the current M2 zone rather than creating an entirely new zone. The land within the Business Park is presently zoned M2 and most of the permitted uses recommended in the BPS are already permitted. In addition, several of the uses that the BPS recommended should not be permitted are not allowed in the M2 zone. Similarly, the recommended lot regulations are mainly similar to the existing M2 zone provisions. 

After discussions, Council directed staff to review the M2 zoning to expand the permitted uses.

Report to Council

Affordable Residential Unit Development Charge Exemption Agreements
Council approved a by-law to approve two template agreements for Affordable Residential Unit Development Charge Exemptions.

The report provided an update to Council on a newly enacted affordable residential unit development charge exemption that is now contained in the Development Charges Act (DCA), 1997. A property owner must enter into an agreement with the Township that requires the residential unit to remain affordable for 25 years to be eligible for this exemption. 

Council also approved two legal agreement templates for affordable residential unit rental units and another for affordable residential unit ownership. 

In September 2023, Bill 134, Affordable Homes and Good Jobs Act, 2023 was introduced, which amended the determination of when a residential unit would be considered an affordable residential unit. While Bill 134 received Royal Asset in December 2023, the affordable residential unit exemption was not legislated until the Provincial government released the Affordable Residential Units Bulletin and proclaimed the DCA amendment in force and effect as of June 1, 2024. The release of the Bulletin was critical because it is necessary when assessing whether a residential unit is deemed affordable and therefore eligible for the DC exemption. 

Learn more about the Affordable Residential Unite Development Charge Exemption