Committee of the Whole - September 11, 2023

Please note that all Committee of the Whole decisions are subject to Council approval. The next Council meeting is scheduled for September 25, 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.

Please be advised that prior to the start of the meeting, members of Council and staff recognized the 22nd anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks that occurred in the United States on September 11, 2001.  

Zoning Bylaw Amendment - File Z-3/20 - 2268 Lakeshore Drive

The Zoning Bylaw Amendment at 2268 Lakeshore Drive is to amend the current Destination Commercial Exception 2 (DC-2) Zone provisions to allow for an additional 24 trailers to be used and stored on the property year-round in conjunction with the permitted camping establishment within a defined 'redevelopment area' and a reduction in the exterior side yard setback from 6 metres to 4 metres. Two Public Meetings were held on June 6, 2022 and July 31, 2023, where the council and the public could identify their concerns and feedback on the application. The Staff report examines the common concerns heard, including Sewage Treatment System capacity, the impact on Lake Simcoe, the number of trailers and density increase in occupancy and traffic, setbacks to Lakeshore Drive. The Committee approved that staff return the Zoning Bylaw amendment to the next regular Council meeting.

Deregistration of Concord Woods Subdivision 51M-451 Interim Order for the Ontario Land Tribunal Case No.: OLT 21-001730 

The Township of Ramara received an Interim Order made by the Ontario Land Tribunal to appeal the County of Simcoe's Official Plan to reconfigure the boundary of the Lagoon City Settlement Area. When the Order is finalized, and conditions are fulfilled, it will remove the 'Settlements' designation from lands to the North and South of Lagoon City that are environmentally sensitive. The 'settlements' designation will then be added between Lagoon City and Brechin. As a result, to fulfill one of the two conditions set out in the Order, certain parts of the Concord Woods Plan of subdivision will need to be deregistered, as the area of the subdivision will be removed from the 'settlements' designation once the Order is passed. The Committee approved the Council to direct staff to forward the draft bylaw for the Concord Woods Subdivision 51M-451 deregistration to the next regular Council meeting.  

Zoning Bylaw Amendment - Interim Order for the Ontario Land Tribunal Case No.: OLT 21-001730 

The Township of Ramara is in receipt of an Interim Order made by the Ontario Land Tribunal to appeal the County of Simcoe's Official Plan to reconfigure the boundary of the Lagoon City Settlement Area. The second condition required to be fulfilled before the Order from the Tribunal is finalized is the confirmation from the Township of Ramara that it has passed a Zoning-bylaw amendment rezoning specified lands as Natural Area Protection. The staff report outlines all of the lands that will be rezoned to Natural Area Protection. The Committee approved for the Zoning Bylaw amendment to be forwarded to the next Regular Council meeting. 

Proposed Use of Unopened Road Allowance Adjacent to 87 Simcoe Road

The owner of 87 Simcoe Road has met with Township staff to discuss a potential development of a townhouse condominium on the subject lands. When reviewing with staff, it was determined that the road allowance adjacent to 87 Simcoe Road could be leased to the owner, with Council permission and a formal agreement, as a suitable location for a private condominium road. This proposal would allow the owner to develop a road and the Township to retain the property for any future needs. The Committee approved to support the option to lease the unopened road allowance adjacent to 87 Simcoe Road for the use of a Condominium Road subject to a lease agreement and development approvals.

Traffic Speed Report - Simcoe Road 

Staff presented a traffic speed report for Simcoe Road. Traffic radar was installed on the westbound side of Simcoe Road at Laguna Parkway. The signs were up from July 12 to September 6, 2023 and captured the following data:

• 81% of the vehicles are driving the speed limit or below the limit.
• 8% of the vehicles are travelling up to 15 km/hr above the limit.
• 11% of the vehicles are travelling above 16 km/hr over the limit.
• The maximum recorded speed was 131 km/h.
• In 56 days, 86, 530 vehicles were counted on the westbound side of the road.

The Committee approved for the report to be received as information and for the data to be sent to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Traffic Speed Report - Creighton Street 

Staff presented a traffic speed report for Creighton Street. Traffic radar was installed on the southbound and northbound side of Creighton Street between Balsam Road and Winchester Street. The southbound radar speed signs were installed from May 10 to June 28, 2023, and the northbound radar speed sign were installed from June 29 to September 6, 2023 and captured the following data:
Northbound

• 61% of the vehicles are driving the speed limit or below the limit .
• 17% of the vehicles are travelling up to 15 km/hr above the limit.
• 22% of the vehicles are travelling above 16 km/hr over the limit.
•  The maximum recorded speed was 84 km/h.

Southbound

• 43% of the vehicles are driving the speed limit or below the limit.
• 17% of the vehicles are traveling up to 15 km/hr above the limit.
• 40% of the vehicles are travelling above 16 km/hr over the limit.
• The maximum recorded speed was 94 km/h 

The Committee approved for the report to be received as information and for the data to be sent to the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP).

Tender Award - Multi-Use Sports Court

In May, the Township of Ramara sent notifications and Requests for Quotations (RFQ) to contractors for designing and constructing a Multi-Use Sports Court at Lovely Day Park. At that time, no bids were received. Staff contacted contractors who pulled the project but did not bid and received feedback regarding the specifications set by staff that were not feasible or realistic with the budget size.  Staff revised the RFQ, sent it to 14 qualified contractors, and received one bid package. Arnes Construction LTD. provided a bid at $103, 896.00 plus HST for the construction of the multi-use court without a conversion kit for winter skating use. The cost is $7,646 over budget without the Lake Simcoe Regional Conservation Authority's permitting costs, which will be added to the 2024 budget. The Committee approved to contract with Arenes Construction LTD for the construction of the Multi-Use Sports Court and to investigate how it can be converted for skating use in the winter. 

Sports Dome Construction Cost Estimates

Council requested staff to investigate the costs of the design and construction of a Multi-Use Sports Dome within the Township of Ramara. After preliminary research, staff advised that depending on the size of the Dome, flooring, equipment, etc the price can range from 1.7 million to over 5 million. Staff will continue to research grants, locations and type of sports offered in the Dome in order to create a plan that will effectively serve the needs of the residents of Ramara. Committee approved to receive the report as information.

Ramara Road 47 update

Starting on August 30, 2023, staff executed a full road closure on Ramara Road 47 to help expedite the work. The work occurs during the daytime for logistical and financial reasons, including quarry operation times, access and costing of lighting equipment and other equipment, elimination of complaints, etc. At this time, Ramara Road 47 is fully closed from Concession Road B to Concession Road A with no through access with the public utilizing Sideroad 15 as the detour. The Ramara Road 47 project from Concession Road B to A is projected to be completed in 2023 and Concession Road A to 1 will be moved to 2024.
Stay updated on road closures by visiting our news and notices page at www.ramara.ca/news or subscribing to our Alertable page. 

Draft 2023-2026 Strategic Plan

The Township of Ramara is inviting residents, businesses, organizations and visitors to have their say on the Township of Ramara's 2023 - 2026 Draft Strategic Plan. Until September 19, 2023, the public can complete the online feedback form or visit the Township Administration Building to provide in-person feedback. Learn more at www.ramara.ca/haveyoursay.

Draft 2023 - 2026 Strategic Plan
Online Feedback form

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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.