2023 Council Highlights - July 10

Committee of the Whole - July 10, 2023

Please note that all Committee of the Whole decisions are subject to Council approval. The next Council meeting is scheduled for July 24, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. If you have any questions regarding agenda items or decisions made at Committee or Council meetings, please email jgalvao@ramara.ca.

Community Benefits Charge

The Community Benefits Charge is a new growth-funding tool under the Planning Act that allows single-tier and lower-tier municipalities to levy a charge for developments with ten or more residential units and five or more storeys. These charges would fund capital costs of any public service associated with new growth, including parkland, if those costs are not recovered from development charges and parkland provisions. Committee approved for staff to prepare a strategy and present a by-law for the maximum 4%.

Photo Radar Systems in the Township

CAO Drinkwalter presented Committee with some options regarding Photo Radar Service solutions for Community Safety Zones and Schools Zones within the Township of Ramara. With the two options presented - Global Traffic Group and Toronto Processing Centre - the photo radar cameras will identify vehicles traveling faster than the set limit (set by staff and Council) and send the information to be reviewed in order to determine if the ticket is enforceable. if the ticket is enforceable, the ticket or listing will then be sent to the Township (through Administrative Monetary Penalties) or provincial offences office (through Provincial Offences Act) for collection. Committee approved for staff to prepare an RFP for Photo Radar Services for the Township for the 2024 budget. As well, for staff to correspond with the County of Simcoe regarding the inclusion of County Road 169 and Rama Road.

Long Grass in Ramara

The Long Grass by-law is in effect from June 1 to October 14. A property in Ramara contravenes the by-law when the grass or weeds are higher than 30 cm and the properties are located in the following areas: All properties zoned Village Residential, Shoreline Residential and Hamlet All properties in Lagoon city, Bayshore Village, Val Harbour, Floral Park, Brechin and Oak Point Road.

If properties contravene the by-law, the Bylaw Enforcement staff will begin the Long Grass enforcement procedure with applicable fines. Committee approved for staff to investigate a by-law regarding property standards and open building permits including landscaping during construction prevent drainage onto neighbouring properties.

Report a Concern

The Township of Ramara encourages residents to report problems related to Township areas of responsibility, including roads, parking, water and wastewater services and more. As identified in Ramara's Customer Service Strategy and Complaint process, submissions will be reviewed and followed upon within two business days. Response time will depend on the nature of the problem. Some problems, for example, may be added to the course of a regular work routines and be addressed within a few days or a week. Other problems may take longer to address or depend on seasonal constraints. For Bylaw Enforcement matters, it may take up to an unforeseen amount of time as municipal law enforcement must investigate to determine if there is a violation(s) and take the necessary measures to correct it. All complaints are confidential until the complainant may be asked to testify in support of the complaint. All complaints require the complainant to provide full name, address, phone number and description of the problem.

Modernizing Ontario's Environmental Assessment Program

The Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) has proposed changes to the Environmental Assessment (EA) process in Ontario to streamline and modernize the 50 years old EA process to eliminate duplication, streamline processes, provide clarity to applicants, improve service standards to reduce delays and better recognize other planning processes. The two significant changes announced are moving to a project list approach under the EA Act, evaluating municipal class environmental assessment requirements for infrastructure projects and improving timelines for comprehensive EAs. Learn how Ontario will modernize the EA program on the Ontario website. Committee approved for the Township to draft comments for Council review prior to requesting a meeting with the Minister of MOECP regarding environmental oversight.

4162 Orkney Beach Road - Property Conveyance

On May 2, 2023, the Committee of Adjustment approved a consent application at 4162 Orkney Beach Road. As a condition of consent, the owners of this property have agreed to convey a strip of land at the request of the municipality to allow for access between Fountain Drive and Orkney Beach Road. The concept is for the owners to convey a strip of land 10 metres in width on the eastern side of the property at Fountain Drive, following west to the Orkney Beach Road side of the property at a width of 12 metres. This access would provide a recreational trail between Orkney Beach Road and Fountain Drive and a gate installed across the conveyed land at the property line that connects with Fountain Drive. Committee approved for staff to proceed with the consent agreement based on using a gate to create a barrier between Fountain Drive and Orkney Beach Road.

Removing the Holding - 5511 Highway 12

An application was received on August 9, 2021, for Site Plan approval at 5511 Highway 12. The property owner (Layzee Acres) is establishing an overflow parking lot to be used in conjunction with the existing Recreational Vehicle Sales and Service establishment at 5516 Highway 12. The applicant is in the final stages of the Site Plan approval process with the following to be completed: Completion of the Site Plan Agreement, lifting of the Holding Provision and registering the agreement on title. The Draft lifting the Holding Provision bylaw is written so that once the Site Plan Agreement is registered on title, the by-law will be in force and effect. Committee approved that the Zoning By-law Amendment to lift the holding provision at 5511 Highway 12 be forwarded to the next Council meeting.

Provincial Policy Statement 2023 - Natural Heritage Policies

On April 6, 2023, the Province released the draft Provincial Planning statement (ERO 019-6813) that will combine and replace the existing documents: Provincial Policy Statement and the 'A Place to Grow' (Growth Plan) document. Since this date, the Province updated its notice to inform that the natural heritage policies are ready for review and input. As a result, comment period is extended to August 4, 2023. The Township has drafted comments to be submitted regarding the Natural Heritage System and the impact of the Provincial Planning Statement on the Rama Road Economic Employment District area. Committee approved for staff to forward the correspondence regarding ERO 019-6813 to the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.

Proposed by-law to regulate the placement of Temporary signs within the Township of Ramara

Currently, the Township of Ramara does not have a by-law in place to regulate the placement of temporary commercial, advertising, event or community service group/event signs on private property within the Township of Ramara; however, through provisions in Ramara's Zoning By-law and the Ontario Building Code Act, it regulates the installation of permanent signage. Temporary or permanent signs on municipal property without proper permissions are currently being removed by staff with no penalty provisions for offences.

Staff presented this proposed by-law to regulate and enforce the increased presence of commercial, advertising, event and community group signage on municipal roadways, boulevards, hydro poles, trees, etc. Committee approved staff to develop a by-law to regulate the use of temporary signs within the Township of Ramara in consultation with the community and relevant stakeholders.

Short-Term Rental Accommodation Update and Review

The Manager of Community Standards and Recreation provided an overview of the development of the Short-Term Rental Accommodation By-law in 2020, including By-law amendments, licensing statistics, 2022 Enforcement information, Complaint Process and Licensing process information. As Ramara was the leader in regulating and enforcing Short-term Rental Accommodations (STRA) in Ontario, the report provided an overview of how our Bylaw Enforcement team has participated in training, meetings and standing committees to assist other area municipalities with the drafting, creating and implementing of their STRA Licensing Bylaws. As of July 4, STRA Licensing & Enforcement information is as follows:

91 properties are currently licensed by the Township to operate an STRA.
58 License Applications processed ( 31 new & 27 renewals).
96 Enforcement Files created with a 88% closure rate.
4 Administrative monetary penalties issued to licensed Locations which totals $5000 in fines.
16 Administrative monetary penalties issued to unlicensed locations which totals $48,000 in fines.
70 locations currently on the STRA Licensing Waiting list.

View the full Short-Term Rental Accommodation Report

Learn how Short-Term Rental Accommodations are regulated in Ramara

Line Fences Act - Opt-Out

In 1834, the Province enacted the Line Fences Act to provide a formalized process for conflict resolution between abutting property owners looking to build or maintain a fence along their mutual property line while sharing costs. Although it is Provincial legislation with Provincial adjudicators acting as referees, the majority of the responsibility for administering and organizing any applications received under it is left to municipalities, resulting in extensive staff time and resources dedicated to this process. Many municipalities have chosen to opt out of the Line Fences Act as authorized under the Municipal Act of 2001 and have used alternative by-laws to regulate and enforce the construction and maintenance of fences within the municipality. The committee approved for staff to prepare the by-law to opt out of the Line Fences Act and to make amendments to the fence by-law to regulate fences of abutting property owners.

Purchase of Firefighting Bunker Gear from Fire Budget Reserves

As a result of delays in manufacturing bunker gear, Fire and Rescue Services received the ordered 2022 bunker gear in early 2023, which resulted in the budget being directed to reserves. Staff is requesting to access $26,000 from reserves to fund the purchase of its 2023 bunker gear requirements. The committee approved allowing the Fire and Rescue Services Department to pull $26,000 from the Fire Department reserves to fund the purchase of its 2023 bunker gear requirements.

Expansion of Mosquito Larviciding Program

For over 40 years, the spring Mosquito Aerial Larviciding program has been conducted under a permit from the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) to target specific wetland areas within the Township of Ramara. If the Township of Ramara expands the program for the entire Township, it will increase the estimated area from 1,200 hectares to 13,000 hectares of wetland and swampy areas where mosquitoes tend to breed. The Township program is a cost recovery program, so all properties that benefit from the service would pay for it on their taxes. Committee approved for consideration to be put forward in the budget to expand the program for 2024.

Transport Canada Requirement for CN Crossings - Concession Road 5

As a result of the 2014 Transport Canada rail safety regulations, the Township entered into an agreement in 2016 with Transport Canada and the Rail Authority to upgrade all rail crossings by 2021. This would include upgrades to crossings, including warning lights, bells, wig wags, and widening of the roadway platform to match design criteria. All crossings, whether it's an open road allowance or an unopened/unmaintained road allowance, require the prescribed upgrades. With Concession Road 5 located west of Highway 12, the cost to the Township to upgrade the crossing ranges from $500,000 to $750,000. As this road is an unopened/unmaintained road inaccessible by the public, staff recommend temporarily stopping up and closing the roadway to be exempt from required rail upgrades. The committee approved temporarily stopping up and closing Concession Road 5 from Highway 12 west to Lagoon City until the road allowance can be upgraded and opened as a public highway.

Municipal Traffic Calming Solutions and Speed Mitigation Measures

The Director of Infrastructure presented to Committee different types of traffic calming solutions that are intended to improve the quality of life for residents on traffic calmed streets, achieve slower speeds for motor vehicles, and increase the safety for non-motorized users of the street. The different types of Traffic Calming measures presented are listed below: Flexible Bollards Temporary Traffic Speed Bumps Speed Monitoring Signage Temporary Traffic Speed Humps Two-Lane Traffic Chicanes Committee approved to receive the report as information.

Industrial Park Road

The construction of the new road in the Ramara Industrial Park is complete, and prior to opening the road the Township is required to assume the road as a public highway and name the road. Committee approved to assume Part 5 on Plan 51R-43173 as a public highway and that the new road be named O'Donnell Court after our late Deputy Mayor, John O'Donnell.

Official Plan Review

The Township of Ramara will be hosting Open Houses to present the Draft Official Plan. Come discuss the Draft Official Plan, share your ideas and engage with the project team. There's no better time to join important discussions that will help shape the future of our community.

Join us at one of the three public open houses scheduled for July 25, 26 & 27.

Official Plan Review Page

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For More Information

For more details on any of these items, see the full meeting Agenda or view the meeting on the Township of Ramara's YouTube Channel.

The Meeting highlights are prepared to give residents a timely update on decisions of Council. The Council Meeting Minutes are the official record of the meeting.