Council Connect - April 14, 2026

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, April 14, 2026

Council Connect: Highlights from April 14, 2026, meetings of Council

Regular Meeting of Council

Changes to Ontario’s Conservation Authority System: The provincial government unveiled a plan on March 10, 2026, to consolidate the 36 Conservation Authorities into 9 Regional Conservation Authorities effectively in early 2027. During the transition, the Essex Region Conservation Authority intends to continue services with minimal disruption to service delivery and staffing. Council received the report and passed a motion to accept an offer from the Chief Administrative Officer of the Essex Region Conservation Authority, Tim Byrne, to make a presentation to Council regarding the changes at a later date.

Joint Election Compliance Audit Committee: Administration recommended establishing a Joint Election Compliance Audit Committee with the Town of Essex, Town of Kingsville, Municipality of Lakeshore, Town of Lasalle, and Town of Amherstburg for the 2026-2030 term of Council to deal with matters regarding election finances and contributions. Council received the report, directed administration to establish the committee, and adopted the Joint Election Compliance Audit Committee Terms of Reference.

Larviciding for the 2026 West Nile Virus Program: The Windsor-Essex County Health Unit (WECHU) issued a formal Notice of Action dated March 17, 2026, to decrease the risk of West Nile Virus to persons in the Windsor-Essex County area which mandates municipalities larvicide on lands in their jurisdiction. WECHU will coordinate the 2026 West Nile Virus Larviciding Program and selected GDG Environment Inc. as the consultant/provider. Council received the report and directed Administration to forward correspondence authorizing the application of larvicides in the Town through WECHU to the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, and GDG Environment Inc.

Draft Urban Forestry and Naturalization Management Plan (UFNMP): Council saw a presentation from Dillon Consulting and a presentation from Friends of Tecumseh’s Forests, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and Canada South Land Trust. Council received a report containing the Draft Urban Forestry and Naturalization Management Plan (the plan) that is intended to provide oversight and guidance on the management, maintenance and development of Tecumseh’s urban forest and naturalized areas with an exclusive focus on Town-owned land. A Public Information Centre regarding the plan will be held on Tuesday, April 21, 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. in the Horwood Room, Tecumseh Arena to provide an opportunity for public review and comment. The plan will then be completed and presented to Council in early Q2 2026. Council received the presentations and the report.

Overview of Key Housing Policies and Regulatory Framework Guiding Preparation of Draft New Zoning By-law: Council received a report that clarifies the rationale and basis for the approach to low density residential areas recommended in the draft new Zoning By-law. The report includes a review of the mandated legislation and policies related to housing and residential intensification from the Province through the Planning Act and the Provincial Planning Statement, the County Official Plan and the Town’s Official Plan, all of which are required to be implemented through a municipal zoning by-law. The report clarifies that the zoning by-law is not being used as a vehicle to re-introduce the Housing Accelerator Fund initiative that had proposed four units as of right, which was rejected by Council in 2025. Council received the report.

Zoning By-law Amendment 13754 Tecumseh Road Scheduling of a Public Meeting: Administration recommended a public meeting be scheduled, in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Act, to seek public input regarding a Zoning By-law amendment application filed to rezone 13754 Tecumseh Road from “Residential Type Two Zone (R2)” to a site-specific “Residential Type Three Zone (R3-14)” to permit the redevelopment of the property with a three-storey, six-unit dwelling and a one-storey, four-unit townhouse dwelling, and establish site-specific zone provisions related to minimum lot frontage, lot area, height, yard depths/widths (front, side, rear) and encroachments for patios/balconies. Council received the report and authorized Administration to schedule the public meeting.

Next Regular Meeting: The next regular meeting of Council is April 28, 2026. The agenda and livestream will be available on the Town’s website. Follow the Town of Tecumseh on Facebook for news and the latest information.

Media Contact:

Aaron Carder
acarder@tecumseh.ca
519.735.2184 ext 136