Thread by @LoveWilmot

This evening's council meeting starts at 7pm will be preceded by a closed, which begins at 4:45pm. The full agenda, including reports, is at calendar.wilmot.ca//townshipcalen…. Watch the meeting at youtube.com/channel/UCcA8f…, or follow along here 👇

Mayor Armstrong begins the meeting with a moment's silence to honour the 14 women who were murdered at École Polytechnique in Montreal on #Dec6, 1989. Today is known as the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. #CallItFemicide

Coun Pfenning reads the territorial acknowledgement.

The minutes from the previous council meeting have been approved.

Next item: Zone Change Application by Skyline Commercial Real Estate Holdings Inc. / GSP Group Inc. for 66 Hincks Street, New Hamburg. This is the former Magnussen building. The applicant wants to rezone to residential in order to build 66 staggered townhomes. (Report on p36)

No decisions or vote tonight. The report and presentation by Andrew Martin (Manager of Planning/EDO) is for information only. The report contains a petition opposing the application, as well as some opposition letters from local residents.

Coun Gordijk asks if the traffic concerns will be addressed. Mr Martin says the traffic study is being reviewed and the findings will be provided in a future report.

The first delegation is Kevin Muir (GSP Group - agent and applicant) and Zac Zehr (Zehr Group). The property is owned by Skyline. Mr Muir is discussing the plans for the development, with a variety of housing options.

Coun Gordijk asks if there will be accessible units, & are there plans for Net Zero units, referring to the Township's #50by30 commitment. Mr Zehr says that it's early days, but he is committed to building "in the best way possible". He adds that he would look into accessibility.

Coun Pfenning asks about mitigation methods to prevent using the middle road as a cut-through between Hincks and Catherine. Mr Muir says it's on his radar.

Coun Pfenning asks what current residents will see when they look at this proposed development (i.e. landscape). Mr Zehr says the look would be described as "modern Scandinavian design".

Next delegation is Mike Lucas, who says the development will be "very intrusive in our backyard". He suggests a two-storey development, rather than three. He says he's had dealings with Skyline before, and he says "I'm not fond of them".

He questions the accuracy of a traffic study when most people are currently working from home during COVID.

The public meeting about 66 Hincks St is now closed. The report is received for information.

Patrick Kelly (Director of Finance) is giving an update on Project Grand River (the merging of local hydro companies). There now follows a PowerPoint presentation...

Coun Gordijk asks about the negative comments that came from residents. Jerry Van Ooteghem (President and CEO at Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro) says there were concerns about rates. He says that residents will be no worse off compared to if the merger doesn't proceed.

The recommendation isn't in the version of the agenda that I got from the Township's website, but council has passed it anyway.

Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) is discussing Shop Local Bingo, "a resident driven partnership between local businesses, the New Hamburg Board of Trade, the Wilmot Stronger Together group and the Township to promote shopping local this holiday season".

Report on p59. Although I'm one of the founders of Wilmot Stronger Together, I can take zero credit for this great initiative. Stephanie Goertz - @GoertzSteph - has led this on behalf of WST, along with local resident Lillianne Dunstall.

Ms Dunstall is delegating and explaining how the project came about.

Ms Goertz says that this is a way to support local businesses and also get residents out in the community. She said her sons had a great time visiting stores and talking to people.

Ms Dunstall thanks Mr O'Krafka for all of his help and support on behalf of the Township.

(This a fantastic idea, and both Ms Dunstall and Ms Goertz have done so much hard work to make this a success already.)

Ms Dunstall confirms to Coun Fisher that @ShopLocalSanta will have a role in this event.

Mr O'Krafka says these grassroot initiatives are part of small town living, and he thanks the two community members for their efforts and energy.

Next item is Billboard Sign Renewals (p67). Mr Martin presents the staff report.

Next up is Mr Martin with the Zone Change Application for 162 Snyder’s Road East, Baden (p71). This is the second time this has been discussed by council, and the recommendation is that it be approved. I wrote an article about this in May: wilmotpost.ca/news/article.p….

Mr Martin says that the height of the proposed residential building is almost identical to what is already allowed with the existing commercial zoning (50 cm difference). He also mentions transit and other infrastructure improvements.

Coun Fisher asks if there is a simple formula for setbacks. Mr Martin says that the zoning by-law provides conditions that need to be met, but there isn't a formula.

Andrea Sinclair from MHBC is the first delegation, who speaks in favour of the application, on behalf of the applicant. She talks about housing affordability and urban intensification.

"There is a need for rental housing." - Ms Sinclair.

(This will be a 32-unit residential building on bus route #77.)

Next delegation is Jen Zielman, who lives directly adjacent to the property. She delegated about this in May, and she says she still has concerns that the building is too big for the site, hence the need for a reduced setback.

Ms Zielman says she understands the priority for more residences throughout the region, but thinks there should be fewer units for this particular development.

She says a number of residents have commented that the proposed design doesn't match anything else in the area. She mentions the increased traffic concerns.

Coun Hallman asks staff to clarify a concern that Ms Zelman discussed, about the possible loss and/or replacement of two trees on the site. Mr Martin says he doesn't know off the top of his head, but he can get back to Coun Hallman and Ms Zelman. Coun Fisher echoes the question.

Leslie Fagan is the next delegation, and she also thinks there are too many units in this development. She says there's not enough parking, and no room for visitors. She asks where all of the overflow parking will go?

The recommendation to approve the application has been passed.

Next: Telecommunication tower protocol review report, presented by Mr Martin. The recommendation is that the report (p82) be received for information.

Coun Gordijk suggests "a friendly ask" in writing to the cities of Kitchener and Waterloo for beautification around the telecommunication towers, as her ward (2) abuts them.

Mr O'Krafka says it's very easy to add Coun Gordijk's landscaping request to the internal work process, without making it a formal process.

Coun Hallman says that if there was a policy in place that was clear, it would be available for the future. It would show intent, even if the Township doesn't have the final authority.

Mr O'Krafka mentions that residents in areas like Sunfish Lake and New Dundee might welcome new cell towers because of the improved telecom/internet coverage, which is currently weak.

Next item: Metrolinx / GO Transit - Planning for Access to Higher Order Transit (report on p108). Presented by Mr O'Krafka.

Coun Gordijk says she's excited to see this, and she's aware of discussions since she first moved to Wilmot. Mr O'Krafka says that improved accessibility will drive ridership.

Coun Hallman says she's received emails from Stonecroft residents who would welcome the train service for medical specialist visits in Toronto.

Next: Third Ice Pad Location Study – Preliminary Findings Summary Report, presented by Sandy Jackson (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services). Report is on p116.

In response to Coun Hallman's question from residents, Ms Jackson says the speed with which a new ice pad will be built depends on council's priorities (i.e. budget). Mr Kelly agrees with Ms Jackson.

Rod Leeson (Fire Chief) is now discussing the Emergency Management Program By-law, Terms of Reference and IMS Emergency Response Plan (p122).

Correspondence: There are two integrity commissioner reports, against Coun Pfenning (p161) and Coun Hallman (p167). Both have been rejected by the IC. There have now been five complaints against the three women councillors; all related to the PM Path meetings, all rejected.

The report into the rejected complaint against Coun Hallman contains these comments from Dr Robert Williams, the IC.

(The report into the rejected complaint against Cher was presented in September, and included this comment from the IC. I'm thinking of getting this legend printed on a t-shirt.)

Announcements: Coun Gordijk mentions the Wilmot Terry Fox Run's online presentation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol.

https://twitter.com/WilmotTerryFox/status/1466040784185171971

Coun Gordijk: Dec 6, 1989 is a dark day in Canadian history. 32 years ago today, 14 women were murdered in the Montreal massacre. Their killer said, "You're all a bunch of feminists. I hate feminists."

Say Their Names video:

https://www.twitter.com/WomensCrisisSWR/status/1467845795877736452

"53% increase in ON in the number of women killed by men in 2021 compared to last year. By July 2021, # of femicides in ON surpassed the total # of femicides in 2020. 36% of victims aged 55 or older."

The @WomensCrisisSWR "Say Their Names" video is now being show on screen during the council meeting.

Coun Hallman also acknowledges National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. She says that the 14 women in Montreal were murdered because they wanted equity.

Coun Hallman thanks the community for its support of the New Dundee reverse Santa parade.

https://twitter.com/AngieHallman/status/1467230755969540096

Coun Fisher thanks the Baden Chamber of Commerce for the light display downtown. He says that he and Mayor Armstrong attended the Baden Santa parade.

Coun Pfenning says it's everyone's job to stand up and speak out against gender violence. "Speak up for the women around you."

Coun Pfenning speaks about the holidays, which can be challenging for some people, including those who have endured a personal loss.

Mayor Armstrong mentions the Moosehide Campaign: moosehidecampaign.ca

He adds that the Region has informed him that Elf on the Shelf has received both of his shots.

And we're adjourned at 10pm.