For Immediate Release
Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Council Connect: Highlights from May 23, 2023, meetings of Council

Tecumseh Town Council met this evening, and here are the highlights:

Public Council Meetings

Request to Consider Engineer’s Report East Townline Drain (Lower Portion of the Lake St. Clair Outlet): The report outlines the changes to the East Townline Drain under the Drainage Act which includes the relocation of the lower portion of the Drain to the east side of Manning Road (approximately 688 metres) and the enclosure of the Drain upstream (approximately 287 metres). These works were part of the Manning Road Improvements Phase 2 project, completed in 2021 and 2022. The report was received, and Council gave provisional approval of the report and authorized notice for the Court of Revision to hear this matter.

Proposed New Zoning By-law Workshop Issues and Methodology Report – WSP Canada Inc.: Council attended a Council workshop hosted by WSP to review the Issues and Methodology Report and give direction to key issues that would benefit from the input of Council. This allowed the process to advance to Phase 3 and the formulation of a new Zoning By-law document. Council approved the report. This Workshop will be followed by a Public Open House on May 24, 2023, that will allow the public to attend, review and provide input and comments.

Regular Meeting of Council

2023 Tecumseh Corn and Music Festival: The Optimist Club of St. Clair Beach is planning a renewed Tecumseh Corn and Music Festival, with two main components: the Main Festival grounds and the Music Festival. The Optimist Club has requested that the Town of Tecumseh waive park and event permit fees and have the Town provide in-kind support to the event with hydro electricity and water, use of fencing and fence erecting, use of the inflatable corn maze, access to onsite parking, use of the Tecumseh Corn Festival logo, access to previous signage, and possession of the ‘Nibby’ inflatable costume. Additionally, the Optimist Club has asked for the sale and service of alcoholic beverages for consumption by patrons within a restricted area at Lacasse Park and are looking for relief from Noise By-law No. 2002-07 for the duration of the festival to permit music to play until 11:00 p.m. Council approved the report.

Development Agreement Castle Gate Towers Inc. – Business Park Development North-East Corner of 8th Concession/County Road 46: Council received the report outlining progress on the subdivision Development Agreement, with Castle Gate Towers Inc. regarding a new business park in the hamlet of Oldcastle. The business park consists of five (5) lots for industrial use, a block to preserve the existing woodlot and a block for a proposed stormwater pond. The area of the development consists of 29 ha (71.7 acres). Council authorized the execution of the Castle Gate Towers Inc. development agreement, satisfactory in form to the Town’s Solicitor. The subdivision will continue to be subject to a holding zone to restrict development until the agreement is executed and registered on title.

Zoning By-law Amendment Petcon Realty Corp. South Side of County Road 22 (West of Sylvestre Drive) Scheduling of a Public Meeting: Petcon Realty Corp. owns a 6.77 hectare (16.72 acre) property situated on the south side of County Road 22, immediately west of the Sylvestre Drive terminus. It is the Owner’s intention to construct a hotel up to six stories in height and 170 rooms, with an approximate footprint of 1,707 square metres (18,374 square feet). The application proposes to rezone these northerly lands into an appropriate site-specific “Holding General Commercial Zone (H) C1-10 to facilitate the construction of the proposed commercial development. Council approved the report and scheduling of a public meeting on June 27, 2023 at 6:30 pm.

The Proposed New Provincial Planning Statement 2023 Summary Report: Council received the report outlining changes that will affect the Town from the recently released proposed changes to the Provincial Policy Statement, including changes to growth management, housing, servicing and agricultural lot creation policies. Planning comments on the proposed changes were provided for Council’s consideration. Council approved submitting the Town’s report on the proposed new Provincial Planning Statement 2023 to the province through the Environmental Registry of Ontario.

2023 Water and Wastewater Rate Study: The 2023 Water and Wastewater Rate Study (Study) was presented to Council at the Regular Council Meeting of April 25, 2023, and posted to the Town's website for a comment period. Municipal water and wastewater services are provided to Tecumseh residents based on a user-pay structure, whereby water and wastewater rates established through the Town's annual budget process are intended to generate revenues sufficient for the self- sustenance of each service. The 2023 rate study updates the last study conducted in 2015 and proposed annual increases of 3% for both fixed and volumetric rates commencing in 2024 for the duration of the Study timeframe, subject to the annual budget process. No concerns were raised by Council or residents during the comment period. Council approved the Study.

Regulation of E-Scooters during Pilot Program - By-Law 2023- 062: On May 9, 2023, Council consented to participating in a pilot program for the provision of E-Scooter rental services in certain designated areas of the Town. Council authorized the provision of E-Scooter rental services by Bird Canada Inc. during the period commencing May 23 and ending September 30, 2023. Extension may be made subject to the results of the initial pilot period. To give legal effect to this program/service, the Town must pass a by-law permitting the use of E-Scooters in accordance with the Provincial Pilot Project in accordance with a regulation under the Highway Traffic Act for pilot projects involving E-scooters. The report outlines the requirements for safe operation and general parameters of use during the Town’s participation in the Provincial Pilot Project under this regulation. Council authorized the Town to participate in Ontario’s E-Scooter Pilot Program and adopted amendments to the Town’s by-law for traffic and parking to accommodate the E-Scooter pilot program.

Active Transportation Fund Multi-Use Trail on Lesperance Road and Little River Boulevard Award of Engineering Consulting Services: A Request for Proposal (RFP) was posted on the Town’s Bids & Tenders account and on the Town’s website for engineering consulting services for the upcoming multi-use trail on Lesperance Road and Little River Boulevard. The proposal submitted by RC Spencer Associates Inc. was approved by Council on the recommendation of Administration.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is June 28, 2023. The agenda and livestream will be available on the Town’s website. Follow the Town of Tecumseh on Facebook and Twitter for news and the latest information.