Thread by @LoveWilmot

Here's the agenda for this evening's council meeting. Most of the items are being carried over from a loooong meeting two weeks ago. Get the full package at calendar.wilmot.ca//townshipcalen…, watch live at youtube.com/c/TownshipofWi…, or follow along here 👇

The mayor gets things started by acknowledging #SeniorsMonth.

The territorial acknowledgement is read by Coun Gerber.

Coun Hallman is withdrawing her notice of motion about MZOs for this meeting, so that she can make some amendments.

Coun Pfenning declares a pecuniary interest and will not participate in the public meeting discussion.

I just realized that I posted the agenda for the previous meeting - sorry! This is the correct agenda for today: pub-wilmot.escribemeetings.com/Meeting.aspx?I…

First up is the public meeting: DS-2022-14 - Draft Plan of Subdivision Application 30T-22601 and Zone Change Application 05/22, Wilmot Woods Developments Inc. Andrew Martin (Manager of Planning/EDO) is presenting his report.

Coun Hallman asks about the street naming process, which Mr Martin responds to.

Paul Briton is giving a presentation on behalf of the applicant, Wilmot Woods, and is giving some background to the proposed devemopment.

Coun Gordijk asks about the intensification rate for this development, which Mr Briton answers by saying that the Township's target will be exceeded, and the needs of the "missing middle" will be addressed.

Coun Fisher voices concerns about the proposed height of some buildings (Mr Briton mentioned four stories, but the Township has a 3-story limit), and he also asks about a traffic study.

Coun Hallman asks if Development Services could attend a Crime and Safety Committee meeting to highlight the details of this planned development, specifically to discuss trails lighting. Harold O'Krafka (Director of Development Services) agrees to the request.

Kevin Thomason is speaking as a delegation, and he says it's encouraging to see this plan coming forward.

RECOMMENDATION
THAT Report DS 2022-014 be received for information.

Carried.

On to the consent agenda. Coun Gordijk asks for an item to be pulled (11.1) so she can ask a question.

11.2 is carried.

Coun Gordijk asks when this project is scheduled to start, so that residents can be given sufficient notice. Jeff Molenhuis (Director of Public Works) says that the contractor might not give notice until a few days before.

Carried.

Next item: Region of Waterloo Official Plan Review – Land Needs Assessment is carried over from the previous meeting on May 30.

Coun Hallman's alternative motion is being displayed on screen in sections, due to its length.

Mayor Armstrong explains that the motion is being presented like this to avoid the clerk having to read it all.

Coun Gerber says that the amended motion leaves it open to the Region to allocate growth outside of the Township, and he mentions the loss of development charges.

Coun Gordijk says that the amended motion tightens up the language of one of the motion in the staff report. "We can always ask for land to be added, but not take it back." Intensification will still provide development charges, without losing farmland.

Coun Fisher says he agrees with Coun Gerber. He adds that development charges are important.

Coun Hallman notes that Waterloo passed option 4; Wellesley passed a similar option. She asks that council doesn't approve any further expansion.

Coun Pfenning says council is not being asked to choose between dev charges and farmland. "We're all concerned about Wilmot not receiving growth allocation." We shouldn't have to sacrifice farmland to achieve growth. Intensification addresses that.

Coun Pfenning suggests erring on the side of caution. The Township can add lands later, but can't take back land from developers. She agrees with Coun Hallman's motion.

Coun Gordijk says her granddaughter wants to stay in the community, but there's nowhere currently for her to do that. She repeats that "We can't take farmland back."

Coun Pfenning proposes a friendly amendment to Coun Hallman's motion, to add clarification. Coun Gerber suggests that council doesn't have to go through the motion line by line; there are 2 motions on the floor.

Coun Gordijk says that Kitchener went through similar motions line by line this morning, and that's the role of council.

Councillors Hallman and Gordijk agree with Coun Pfenning's friendly amendment.

Somewhere in between all of this, Mayor Armstrong says he will be voting on this item.

The mayor says his concerns are that the Region is not providing enough information, and asks why they're in such a big hurry. He'll be raising this at Regional council.

Voting on the amended alternative motion.
Yay: Hallman, Gordijk, Pfenning, Gerber
Nay: Fisher, Armstrong

Carried.

Next item: Wilmot Smart Commute Program. Sandy Jackson (Director of Facilities & Recreation Services) presents the staff report.

Coun Hallman says she's pleased to see this come to council, as it was raised pre-COVID.

The recommendation is carried.

Notice of motion from Coun Hallman: No Nuisance Noise Ontario – Nuisance Noise Created by Modified and/or Missing Mufflers.

Kevin Thomason is delegating in support of this item, addressing noise in environmentally sensitive areas.

Coun Fisher asks Coun Hallman about the number of police vehicles that would be affected. She said that she doesn't have that figure, but she discussed this with RCMP and OPP at an AMO conference. She talks about the impacts on people's quality of life.

Coun Hallman says sophisticated technology exists, and it is becoming more affordable.

Coun Fisher says police departments are already struggling to find funding for everyday services 👀

The motion is carried.

Next is Coun Pfenning's motion: Wilmot Township Build It Right the First Time.

First delegation is Barbara Schumacher on behalf of 50by30WR, which supports the motion.

Kevin Thomason is delegating again, on this item. He says this motion recognizes that most emissions come from buildings. He urges council to approve this motion to send a message to the province.

Next to speak is Kae Elgie, who highlights the actions and commitments that this council has already made towards lowering emissions. She says many buildings are built to the minimum of the Ontario building code.

The motion is carried.

Announcements. Mayor Armstrong speaks about National Indigenous Peoples Day, which is on June 21. canada.ca/en/canadian-he…

The mayor also mentions that nominations for Citizens of the Year are still open: wilmot.ca/en/things-to-d…

Coun Fisher talks about the food trucks that were in Baden today, and the coming concerts at Castle Kilbride.

Coun Hallman mentions the Mannheim fishing derby, Juneteenth, and plans for Canada Day. She thanks educators who are preparing for the return of in-person graduations.

We're adjourned at 9:27pm.