Council Highlights - September 24, 2024

At last night’s meeting, Council formally adopted the Mississippi Mills Integrated Vegetation Management Plan. This living document will be integrated with framework used by Lanark County and guides how the Municipality controls vegetation and the types of vegetation present. The long-term goal of the plan is to establish roadsides and other open spaces with a diverse and extensive pollinator habitat, in addition to management of unwanted vegetation and invasive species. View the plan here.

Official Plan Amendment (OPA) 32 also received approval by Council. The purpose is to better align municipal policies with Planning Act changes resulting from Bills 23 and 185. OPA 32 is focused around the ‘Development’ theme and addresses density (residential and Additional Residential Units and Housing Policy Review). OPA 32 sets density ranges for residential density – minimum density (15 units per gross hectare) and maximum density (35 units per gross hectare). Supportive policies for Additional Residential Units (ARUs) in new subdivisions includes the mandatory requirement that at least one type of model home with purpose-built ARUs is offered for sale; and if the proposed subdivision does not meet minimum density requirements of the Official Plan, at least 25% of new homes would require roughed-in ARUs.

The Zoning By-law Amendment for 306 Cedar Hill Side Road was also endorsed by Council, which satisfies conditional approval for a related severance application, permits site specific provisions for agricultural use and prohibits residential uses.

Council approved updates to the Tax Registration Policy. This policy guides the process of tax registration that applies to properties in a tax arrears position. It has been updated to be in line with current Ontario legislation and remove outdated references.  

Council endorsed a Notice of Motion from Mayor Christa Lowry regarding the development of a policy for the acceptance of monetary and non-monetary donations to the Municipality. Consideration will be given for maintenance and conservation plans, legal agreements for ownership and rights, as well as guidelines for donor recognition.

Committee of the Whole also heard the following items, which will be brought forward for approval at a future Council meeting:

• The creation of two new Community Safety Zones in Pakenham, as well as improvements to existing Community Safety Zones in Almonte.

• The Fire Master Plan and Fire Service Review and Modernization Plan.

• The recommendation report for the draft Water Wastewater Master Plan (WWMP), along with preparation of a Capacity Allocation Policy and By-law for consideration. Under the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment for Master Plans, the draft plan has been posted for a 30-day public review period. Click here to read or download the WWMP. Access the WWMP presentation here or the Capacity Allocation Policy and By-law presentation here.

• An update on the Community Services Master Plan. A motion to approve up to $100,000 in funding to engage a consultant to complete the plan was deferred to the October 8 Budget meeting for consideration. The reallocation of $27,000 for the part-time childcare administrative position to hire an architect to complete a design brief, as well as staff direction to draft a plan for the development of future childcare space to replace the 208 State Street facility, were combined into one motion and endorsed.

• The Quarterly Report received from the Project Management Office.

Upcoming Meetings:

• Hybrid Council Meeting – Tuesday, October 1, 2024, 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow Council.

• Special Council Budget Meeting – Tuesday, October 8, 6 p.m.

• Hybrid Council Meeting – Tuesday, October 15, 2024, 6 p.m. Committee of the Whole meeting to follow Council.

• Special Budget Meetings – Tuesday, October 22 and Thursday, October 24, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.