AGENDA


COUNTY OF OXFORD COUNCIL

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 9:30 A.m. - 2:30 P.m.

21 Reeve Street, Woodstock and online

www.oxfordcounty.ca/livestream

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1.

CALL TO ORDER

2.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

3.

DISCLOSURES OF PECUNIARY INTEREST AND THE GENERAL NATURE THEREOF

4.

ADOPTION OF COUNCIL MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING

4.1

March 12, 2025

5.

PUBLIC MEETINGS

5.1

Resolution to go into a Public Meeting pursuant to the Planning Act

5.1.1

Applications for Official Plan Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision OP 23-05-8 and SB 23-02-8 – Farhi Holdings Corp.

The proposed Official Plan Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision seek to re-designate the subject lands from Community Facility to Low, Medium and High Density Residential and Open Space to facilitate the redevelopment of an underutilized institutional site for residential purposes, and to accommodate a total of 254 residential units (comprised of 26 semi-detached dwelling units, 68 townhouse units, and 160 apartment units) on three blocks, with a block for park purposes and a block for stormwater management, served by one new local street connection from Lakeview Drive to Vansittart Avenue (Oxford Road 59).

5.2

Resolution to Adjourn the Public Meeting

5.3

Consideration of Report CP 2025-79 Applications for Official Plan Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision OP 23-05-8 and SB 23-02-8 –Farhi Holdings Corp.

6.

DELEGATIONS, PRESENTATIONS AND CONSIDERATION THEREOF

6.1

Annual Stewardship Award Presentation

Presentation of award to a County landowner who has made exemplary contributions to the preservation and enhancement of natural features and areas, such as woodlands, wetlands, streams and meadows.

6.2

Town of Tillsonburg

Cephas Panschow, Development Commissioner
Re: Impact of Development Charges on Industrial Development

6.3

Avanti Solutions Inc.

Russ Armstrong, Vice President, Sales and Marketing
Re: Supporting Canadian Businesses  

7.

CONSIDERATION OF CORRESPONDENCE

7.1

Township of Zorra

March 12, 2025
Re: Zorra Township Resolution regarding U.S. Tariffs on Canadian Goods

7.2

Farhi Holdings Corporation

March 19, 2025
Re: Affordable Units - 401 Lakeview Drive

7.3

Millstone Homes

March 19, 2025
Re: 401 Lakeview Drive Development

8.

REPORTS FROM DEPARTMENTS

8.1

COMMUNITY PLANNING

8.1.1

CP 2025-79 Applications for Official Plan Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision OP 23-05-8 and SB 23-02-8 –Farhi Holdings Corp.

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. That Oxford County Council approve Official Plan Application OP 23-05-8, submitted by Farhi Holdings Corporation, for lands described as Part Lot 5, Concession 12 (East Zorra) and Part of Lot 1, Plan 58, in the City of Woodstock to redesignate the subject lands from ‘Community Facility’ to ‘Low, Medium and High Density Residential’ and ‘Open Space’ to facilitate the development of the subject lands for residential development;

    

2. And further, that Council approve the attached Amendment No. 333 to the County of Oxford Official Plan and raise the necessary by-law to approve Amendment No. 333;

    

3. And further, that Oxford County Council grant draft approval to the proposed residential plan of subdivision, submitted by Farhi Holdings Corporation (SB 23028), for the lands described Part Lot 5, Concession 12 (East Zorra) and Part of Lot 1, Plan 58 in the City of Woodstock, with a lapsing date of 3 years from the date of draft plan approval, and subject to the conditions attached to this report as Schedule “A” being met prior to final approval.

8.2

HUMAN SERVICES

8.2.1

HS 2025-04 Homelessness Response Strategy (Presentation)

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. That County Council adopt the Homelessness Response Strategy, as provided in Attachment 1 of Report HS 2025-04, entitled “Oxford County Homelessness Response Strategy”, and that the recommended actions assist to guide the County’s efforts in addressing and preventing homelessness;
2. And further, that Council direct staff to annually review the recommended actions of the Homelessness Response Strategy for consideration in the County’s annual budget process;
3. And further, that Council authorize staff to establish a working group, consisting of up to six members from community partner organizations in the homelessness service system, and up to two County staff, for the purpose of monitoring and implementing the actions of the Homelessness Response Strategy, as well as supporting and improving Coordinated Access, and where relevant, the group be integrated into Safe and Well Oxford to reduce duplication;
4. And further, that Council authorize staff to expand the newly developed County-wide outreach team, consisting of both County and Area Municipal staff, which has been developed to ensure a coordinated and consistent approach to supporting and transitioning individuals out of encampments, to include support from community partners focused on housing stability;
5. And further, that Council authorize staff to pursue the acquisition of an appropriate property, in collaboration with the City of Woodstock, for a future Homelessness Support Centre that seeks to co-locate existing emergency shelter services, provide support services that are flexible and focused on transitioning individuals out of homelessness, address the actions of the Homelessness Response Strategy, and ensure a stable system that supports pathways out of homelessness, including connections with the proposed Homelessness and Additions Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub/Wellness Centre, and that staff report back to Council with potential funding and implementation considerations;
6. And further, that Council authorize the establishment of an Ad Hoc Committee of Council, including the Warden (Chair) and Councillors ______________, _________________ and __________________, for the purpose of providing preliminary feedback on potential locations for a future Homelessness Support Centre, prior to staff reporting back to Council with potential funding and implementation considerations;
7. And further, that staff release a Call for Applications for up to $500,000 from the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP) allocation that is anticipated from the province for the upcoming funding year (April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026), for the purpose of inviting proposals from community partners that are focused on transitioning individuals out of homelessness, by providing support services in conjunction with the proposed Homelessness Support Centre and in line with the actions of the Homelessness Response Strategy;
8. And further, that Council authorize the transition of up to 20 units at the County-owned Community Housing project located at 82 Finkle Street, Woodstock, to support the creation of up to ten transitional and ten supportive housing beds, subject to receiving operating funding and supports through the HART Hub/Wellness Centre;
9. And further, that Council authorize staff to implement a more comprehensive rent supplement program that focuses on housing individuals from the community housing waitlist (centralized waitlist), as well as individuals that are struggling to remain housed;
10. And further, that Council authorize staff to work with the City of London, as the Regional Service Manager, to implement the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS), with a goal of implementing Coordinated Access and supporting an outcomes-based approach to addressing homelessness, subject to available funding through the Homelessness Prevention Program (HPP);
11. And further, that Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Human Services to execute any agreements associated with the recommendations contained in this report.

8.3

PUBLIC WORKS

8.3.1

PW 2025-15 Contract Award – 2025 Road Resurfacing

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That Oxford County Council award a contract to the low bidder, GIP Paving Inc., in the amount of $5,357,050 (excluding HST), for 2025 Road Resurfacing and authorize the Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Public Works to sign all documents related thereto.

8.3.2

PW 2025-16 Contract Award – Oxford Road 59 and Oxford Road 35 Reconstruction, City of Woodstock

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. That County Council award a contract to the low bidder, Viewcon Construction Limited, in the amount of $6,355,573 (excluding HST) for the reconstruction of Oxford Road 59 (Vansittart Avenue), from the Oxford Road 59 Bridge to 100 meters south of the Devonshire Avenue/Vansittart Avenue intersection, and Oxford Road 35 (Devonshire Avenue), from Vansittart Avenue to Victoria Street;

    

2. And further, that County Council authorize the transfer of $13,849 from the Development Charges – Roads reserve and $67,527 from the Stormwater reserve, for a total of $81,376, to fund the budget shortfall for the urban storm sewer works portion of this project;

    

3. And further, that County Council authorize funding the $351,000 shortfall in the Oxford Road 59 reconstruction budget from Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Funding;

    

4. And further, that County Council authorize the Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Public Works to sign all documents related to the execution of the Oxford Road 59 and Oxford Road 35 Reconstruction contract, including a Transfer Payment Agreement with the Province of Ontario for the approved funding under the Housing-Enabling Core Servicing Fund.

    

8.3.3

PW 2025-17 2024 Drinking Water Quality Management System Update

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That County Council receive Report PW 2025-17 entitled “2024 Drinking Water Quality Management System Update” as information.

8.3.4

PW 2025-18 2024 Annual Waste Management Reports

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That County Council receive Report PW 2025-18 entitled “2024 Annual Waste Management Reports” as information.

8.3.5

PW 2025-19 2024 Annual Wastewater System Performance

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. That County Council receive Report PW 2025-19 entitled “2024 Annual Wastewater System Performance”, including the individual 2024 Annual Wastewater Treatment Plant and 2024 Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Summary Reports;

    

2. And further, that County Council receive the 2024 Annual Biosolids (Non-Agricultural Source Material) Summary Report, including the performance summary of the County’s wastewater treatment plant biosolids processing, land application program and biosolids centralized storage facility.

8.3.6

PW 2025-20 2024 Annual Transportation System Performance

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That County Council receive Report PW 2025-20 entitled “2024 Annual Transportation System Performance” as information.

8.3.7

PW 2025-21 2024 Annual Energy Report

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That County Council receive Report PW 2025-21 entitled “2024 Annual Energy Report” as information.

8.4

CORPORATE SERVICES

8.4.1

CS 2025-10 Oxford County Archives 2024 Community Impact Report

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That Report CS 2025-10 entitled “Oxford County Archives 2024 Community Impact Report” be received as information.

8.4.2

CS 2025-11 2025 Tax Policy

RECOMMENDATIONS:

1. That consideration of a 2025 tax policy and rates by-law be given at the Council meeting scheduled for April 9, 2025, that establishes:
   1. Tax Ratios;
   2. Tax Rate Reductions for Prescribed Property Subclasses;
   3. Tax Rates for Upper Tier Purposes;
2. And further, that Council reaffirm tax policy previously established by By-law No. 5912-2017, being a by-law to provide a Financial Hardship Program, as set out in Attachment 1;
3. And further, that Council reaffirm tax policy previously established by By-law No. 5913-2017, being a by-law to establish a tax rebate program for the purpose of providing relief from taxes or amounts paid on account of taxes on eligible property occupied by eligible charities and similar organizations, as set out in Attachment 2.

8.4.3

CS 2025-12 Grants Program Policy Review and Update

RECOMMENDATION:

1. That the Grants Program Policy 6.26, be amended as attached to Report CS 2025-12 entitled “Grants Program Policy Review and Update”, dated March 26, 2025.

9.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

9.1

Pending Items List

10.

MOTIONS

11.

NOTICE OF MOTIONS

12.

ENQUIRIES

13.

CLOSED SESSION

14.

CONSIDERATION OF MATTERS ARISING FROM THE CLOSED SESSION

15.

BY-LAWS

15.1

By-law No. 6717-2025

Being a By-law to adopt Amendment Number 336 to the County of Oxford Official Plan.

15.2

By-law No. 6718-2025

Being a By-law to adopt Amendment Number 333 to the County of Oxford Official Plan.

15.3

By-law No. 6719-2025

Being a By-law to confirm all actions and proceedings of the Council of the County of Oxford at the meeting at which this By-law is passed.

16.

ADJOURNMENT