For Immediate Release
Tuesday, April 9, 2024

Council Connect: Highlights from April 9, 2024, meetings of Council

Public Meeting of Council

Zoning By-law Amendment 259 Kensington Boulevard: Council held a public meeting to hear public comment for a Zoning By-law amendment application for 259 Kensington Boulevard. The zoning by-law amendment application was submitted for a parcel of land situated on the west side of Kensington Boulevard, approximately 122 metres (400 feet) south of its intersection with Burlington Street.  The application was seeking to amend Zoning By-law 2065 to facilitate construction of a two storey, semi-detached dwelling. 

Regular Meeting of Council

Indigenous Education Consulting Agreement: The Town of Tecumseh has been working with the Tecumtha Ogitchada Society, specifically Patricia Shawnoo, a direct descendant of Chief Tecumseh, and Dr. Jerry Fontaine, Director and Board Member of the Tecumtha Ogitchada Society, to develop an Indigenous Education program for Members of Council, Town staff and the community. The Indigenous Education Consulting Agreement between the Town and the Tecumtha Ogitchada Society, spanning one year, aims to deliver educational initiatives including events and training sessions. These will focus on imparting Ojibway-Anishinabe i-zhi-gay-win-zhigo-dah-so-win (ways of doing and knowing), encompassing distinct worldview, values, ceremonial practices, language, and the historical significance of both the First Peoples and the natural environment within our community. The program is called “di-bayn-di-zi-win: An Ojibway-Anishinabe Pedagogy. Council approved the report and the Agreement.   

Expanding Housing Choices and Improving Affordability -Tecumseh Housing Accelerator Fund Next Steps: Council received a report providing  an update on the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF). The HAF Agreement offers financial support to facilitate the execution of nine initiatives (refer to Attachment 1) over the next three years. These initiatives collectively aim to expedite the provision of essential new housing in Tecumseh while fostering long-term positive transformations. They seek to diversify housing options and enhance affordability in both the rental and ownership sectors. The work plans and consultation processes  are currently in  development stages and will include various status updates and public consultation opportunities, including engagement through Placespeak.  

Holding (H) Zone Symbol Removal Petcon Realty Corp. (Petretta Hotel Development) 1600 Sylvestre Drive:  Petcon Realty Corp. submitted an application seeking amendment to the Zoning By-law for the removal of the Holding (H) zone symbol on the subject area in order for building permits to be formally released for the property of 1600 Sylvestre Drive for a 142-room, five-storey hotel. All site servicing and site plan requirements for this development have been satisfied. The bylaw amendment was adopted.  

Various Traffic Safety Policies: Council considered policies on community safety zones, controlled pedestrian crossing, school safety zones and speed management and traffic calming as presented at the Policies and Procedures meeting on March 26.  Additional changes to the speed management and traffic calming policy were made at the Committee meeting to include provisions for the Director PWES to initiate a request and follow a streamlined process for data collection and analysis to determine if traffic calming features are warranted for a given road segment. Council approved and adopted all of the policies. Additional information on these policies is available here.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is April 23, 2024. The meeting is scheduled to be held electronically. The agenda and livestream will be available on the Town’s website. Follow the Town of Tecumseh on Facebook and X for news and the latest information.