Strategic Decisions of Council - February 23, 2026

Council Meeting Date: February 23, 2026

Matters Arising from Closed Session
After a closed session, Council passed a resolution regarding the execution of Agreements of Purchase and Sale for the Land Acquisitions and Temporary Access Agreements associated with the proposed reconstruction of Bridges 32-P and 33-P on Noah Road.

• Execute an Agreement of Purchase and Sale with Jeffrey Bloch to purchase a portion of land municipally known as 7112 Noah Road, Centre Wellington for a 5-metre widening of the existing road allowance.
• Execute a Temporary Access Agreement with Jeffrey Bloch for temporary construction access during the bridge reconstruction period occurring in 2026 on the property municipally known as 7112 Noah Road, Centre Wellington.
• Execute an Agreement of Purchase and Sale with Cleon and Martha Horst to purchase a portion of land municipally known as 7111 Noah Road, Centre Wellington for a 5-metre widening of the existing road allowance.
• Execute a Temporary Access Agreement with Cleon and Martha Horst for temporary construction access during the bridge reconstruction period occurring in 2026 on the property municipally known as 7111 Noah Road, Centre Wellington.

Consent Agenda Items

Designation Recommendation - 6275 Wellington Road 26, West Garafraxa
Appointment to the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Advisory Committee
2025 Source Protection Annual Report
Bill 68, the Plan to Protect Ontario Act (Budget Measures), 2025 - OMERS Governance Changes
Quarterly Procurement Report Q4-2025
Appointment of an Acting Fire Chief
Belwood Hall Renovation: Rural Ontario Development Program Application (Intake #2)

Strategic Decisions from Council

Draft Short-Term Rental Accommodation By-law
Staff brought forward a report outlining the proposed changes to the draft Short Term Rental Accommodation (STRA) and Bed and Breakfast (B&B) Establishments Licensing Bylaw (Licensing By-law) resulting from comments and direction received from Council at the November 10, 2025 workshop and to outline the process recommended to establish zoning provisions that complement and support the Licensing By-law. 

Highlights of the new draft STRA by-law include the following:

• Definitions to provide clarification that will also align with the zoning by-law
• Enhanced provisions to regulate short-term rental accommodations and bed and breakfast establishments
• Establishing a maximum occupancy of eight (8) or two (2) persons per bedroom
• Bed and breakfast establishments are restricted to the primary residence of the owner or on the same property as the owner resides
• Inclusion of provisions related to Bed and Breakfast Establishments
• Cap on the number of licenses established at 265 (scan conducted as of January 30th 2026, noting 235 unique rentals and allows for growth until implementation in 2027
• Only one (1) short-term rental accommodation license or bed and breakfast license permitted per property
• establishment of a Licensing Appeal Tribunal
• Inclusion of the demerit point system to be used in the consideration of the issuing, issuing with conditions, suspension, refusal to issue and revocation of a license
• Inspection and site plan requirements for short-term rental accommodations and bed and breakfasts
• Requirement to comply with the Renter’s Code of Conduct
• Three (3) year license period from issue date, license transfer provisions
• Enforcement tools, including administrative penalties

The draft licensing by-law will now be posted on Connect CW to receive final comments.  A public meeting is scheduled for March 23, 2026, regarding the draft zoning by-law amendment. Following the public meeting, a report and draft by-law will be brought forward to Council at a future meeting for consideration.

Report to Council

Community Electronic Messaging Signs Policy Update
A review of the policy, originally adopted in 2012, was undertaken to ensure it remains relevant, clear, and aligned with how electronic signs are currently managed and regulated within the Township in accordance with the Sign By-law. The approved updates are primarily administrative and operational, and include:

• Alignment with current technology: References and provisions have been updated to reflect advancements in electronic sign technology since the policy’s original adoption
• Administrative clarity: Language has been revised to reflect current departmental structures, roles, and responsibilities within the Township. Also includes changes to priority lists.
• Consistency with current processes: The policy has been updated to align with existing operational practices related to electronic sign approvals, management, and duration. 
• Separation of fees from policy: Any applicable fees related to electronic signs are no longer included within the policy and will instead be addressed through the Township’s annual Fees and Charges By-law, allowing for greater flexibility and consistency in future updates.

The updated policy ensures that the Township’s approach to electronic signs remains clear, current, and administratively efficient, while continuing to support appropriate use and regulation of electronic signage in the community. 

Report to Council

Community Heritage Grant Program Update
Staff provided Council with an update regarding the Community Heritage Grant Program (CHG) and recommended an amendment to increase funding for large-scale buildings based on feedback received from the CHG Review Committee and the community.

The CHG program currently provides matching funding of 50% of eligible costs to a maximum of $10,000 per property to owners of designated heritage properties. Annual available funds are based on funding allocation from OLG proceeds towards a Heritage Reserve Fund from which funds are disbursed, as approved by Council. The CHG program is administered by Planning and Development Department staff. Applications are reviewed by staff and members of the Heritage Centre Wellington Properties Subcommittee (the CHG Review Committee). 

Council approved staff’s recommendation of a two-tiered approach to the grant program.  The standard $10,000 grant would be considered a Level 1 grant, whereas the increased $20,000 grant would be considered a Level 2. Only one Level 2 grant would be authorized per year, subject to available funding in the Heritage Reserve Fund. All provisions contained within the existing CHG Program would remain unchanged and continue to apply to large-scale buildings, including eligibility and rejection criteria. The increased funding for a Level 2 grant is mainly intended for institutional, former institutional, mixed-use, or multi-residential buildings, at the discretion of the Managing Director of Planning and Development.

Report to Council

Ice and Recreation Facility Allocation Policies
The Township’s Indoor Facility Allocation Policy was originally introduced in 2008, when facility demand was more predictable and available space generally met community needs. The policy relied heavily on detailed scheduling rules, historical use, and technical allocation formulas, particularly for ice time. As participation in organized sport and recreation increased, competition for prime ice time also increased. Today, demand for ice far exceeds availability, making it difficult to manage ice allocation within a single, generalized facilities policy. To address these challenges, the original policy has been divided into two separate policies:

• Ice Allocation Policy; and,
• Recreation Facility Allocation Policy

Council approved the new dedicated policies as the separation allows ice time to be managed more strategically while continuing to support fair and consistent access to all other recreation facilities. The new dedicated policies modernize the original 2008 policy to reflect current demand levels, Council priorities, and municipal best practices.

Consultation took place with minor and major sports groups, the Healthy Communities Advisory Committee and the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Committee to provide input on the updated Ice and Recreation Facility Policies. 

Report to Council