Public Meeting of Council

Minutes

Meeting #:
Date:
Time:
-
Location:
Electronic meeting live streamed at: https://video.isilive.ca/tecumseh/live.html.
Present:
  • Mayor, Gary McNamara
  • Deputy Mayor, Joe Bachetti
  • Councillor, Bill Altenhof
  • Councillor, Andrew Dowie
  • Councillor, Brian Houston
  • Councillor, Tania Jobin
  • Councillor, Rick Tonial
Also Present:
  • Chief Administrative Officer, Margaret Misek-Evans
  • Director Parks & Recreation Services, Paul Anthony
  • Director Community Safety & Fire Chief, Wade Bondy
  • Director People & Culture, Michelle Bonnici
  • Director Technology & Client Services, Shaun Fuerth
  • Director Financial Services & Chief Financial Officer, Tom Kitsos
  • Director Legislative Services & Clerk, Laura Moy
  • Deputy Clerk & Manager Legislative Services, Jennifer Alexander
  • Manager Planning Services & Local Economic Development, Chad Jeffery
  • Manager Public Works & Transportation, Kirby McArdle

The Mayor calls the meeting to order at 6:00 pm.

A Closed meeting was held earlier this afternoon at 4:00 pm in accordance with Section 239 (2) (c) (d)(h) (i) (j) and (k) of the Municipal Act, 2001 which permits a meeting to be closed to the public if the subject matter being considered is:

  • a proposed or pending acquisition or disposition of land by the municipality;
  • labour relations or employee negotiations;
  • information explicitly supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board by Canada, a province or territory or a Crown agency of any of them;
  • a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial, financial or labour relations information, supplied in confidence to the municipality or local board, which, if disclosed, could reasonably be expected to prejudice significantly the competitive position or interfere significantly with the contractual or other negotiations of a person, group of persons, or organization;
  • a trade secret or scientific, technical, commercial or financial information that belongs to the municipality or local board and has monetary value or potential monetary value; or
  • a position, plan, procedure, criteria or instruction to be applied to any negotiations carried on or to be carried on by or on behalf of the municipality or local board.

At the meeting, Administration was given direction on contract negotiations with the Tecumseh Firefighters Association and a temporary position.  Administration also provided Council with an update on a potential land acquisition.

There is no pecuniary interest declared by a Member of Council.

The purpose of the meeting is to hear public comment on behalf of the County of Essex, on an application for approval of a Plan of Subdivision pertaining to a 20.7 hectare (51.3 acre) parcel of land, described as, Part Lot 11, Concession 8 and situated on the northeast corner of the North Talbot Road/8th Concession Road intersection. The applicant, Old Castle Heights Inc., is proposing the creation of a residential subdivision consisting of a total of 157 blocks/lots.

The Manager Planning Services & Local Economic Development highlights the application and the key features of the development.  He indicates that the purpose of the public meeting is to hear stakeholder input on the Plan of Subdivision application, which will be forwarded to the County of Essex, which is the approval authority.

Mr. Abdul Habib expresses his desire to develop the Plan of Subdivision (Subdivision) in Oldcastle.  He provides highlights of the proposed development including the specific types of housing that will be offered.  

A Member inquires about the option to customize homes within the Subdivision.  Mr. Habib explains that the design of the Subdivision incorporates a layout of property sizes that can accommodate various styles of housing from single family to semi-detached dwellings based on the dimensions of the property.  He states he will work with prospective buyers to accommodate their needs. 

Traffic concerns over entering and exiting the Subdivision onto North Talbot Road are raised.  The Manager explains that the proposed Subdivision has five streets that exit onto North Talbot Road. The Traffic Study conducted for the Subdivision indicated no traffic issues and was the preferred design option.

Re: ZBA Oldcastle  Heights  - Plan of Subdivision

This delegation was not present at the meeting and did not provide comment to Council.

Re: ZBA Oldcastle Heights

Ms. Robson expresses support for the Plan of Subdivision for Oldcastle Heights as indicated in her written submission as appended to the Agenda. She raises concerns, however, regarding the density of the development and the lack of access to the 8th Concession Road as well as the number of access points to North Talbot Road.

The Mayor opens the floor to questions from the Members.

A Member raised concern on the Street F design and mitigating light pollution from street and vehicle lights into resident homes. The Applicant's Planner, Tiziano Zaghi, explains that Street F was designed as the Town expressed concerns with the length of housing blocks being too long.  He indicated that aligning Street F with Street H would require consultation with the Town.  The Manager Planning & Local Economic Development explains the rationale of reducing the housing block sizes to enhance the walkability of the neighbourhood. Mr. Zak Habib indicated that the dwellings at the ends of this street would be designed to mitigate light pollution from vehicle headlights.

In response to an query on Street A exiting onto 8th Concession Road, Mr. Zaghi explains the commercial and green buffer areas in the Plan of Subdivision. There was concern with designing a road to exit onto 8th Concession Road and ruining the integrity of the green buffer that protects the residential area.   

Re: Application for Plan of Subdivision - North Talbot Road and 8 Concession Road 

  • Motion: PCM -50/21
    Moved ByCouncillor Rick Tonial
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bill Altenhof

    That Communications - For Information 1 and 2 as listed on the Tuesday, November 9, 2021 Public Council Meeting Agenda, be received.

    Carried
  • Motion: PCM -51/21
    Moved ByDeputy Mayor Joe Bachetti
    Seconded ByCouncillor Tania Jobin

    That the granting of draft plan of subdivision approval by the County of Essex (the Approval Authority) for the application filed by Old Castle Heights Inc. (County of Essex File No. 37-T-21004) for a residential subdivision consisting of a total of 157 blocks/lots which are identified for 132 detached dwellings units, 12 semi-detached units (six semi-detached dwellings), 76 attached units (one 3-unit townhouse dwelling, one 5-unit townhouse dwelling and 17 4-unit townhouse dwellings) and 10 blocks identified for buffer areas/passive open space/multi-purpose pathways, stormwater corridors and a stormwater pond on a 20.7 hectare (51.3 acre) parcel of land described as Part Lot 11, Concession 8 and situated on the northeast corner of the North Talbot Road/8th Concession Road intersection, subject to the inclusion of appropriate conditions as noted in the Report PBS-2021-50, be supported;

    And that the County of Essex be advised of Council’s support for County of Essex File No. 37-T-21004 along with the associated requested conditions of draft plan approval.

    Carried
  • Motion: PCM -52/21
    Moved ByCouncillor Rick Tonial
    Seconded ByCouncillor Bill Altenhof

    That there being no further business, the Tuesday, November 9, 2021 meeting of the Public Council Meeting be adjourned at 7:06 pm.

    Carried