Council Highlights April 7th 2025

The Township of Huron-Kinloss Committee of the Whole was held in Council Chambers at 21 Queen Street in Ripley at 7:00 p.m. Highlights from the meeting include:

Kin Bruce Park Delegations

Committee of the Whole heard two delegations regarding Kin Bruce Park. The first group of residents raised concerns about any potential redevelopment of the park into a multi-sport facility, citing issues such as noise and light pollution, traffic, impaired views, and decreased property values. Although the original proponent has since withdrawn their request to develop the facility on municipal land, residents maintained their interest in discussing the matter and emphasized their desire for Kin Bruce Park to remain a local neighbourhood park.

The second presentation, given by current and former residents, provided a historical overview of the park, noting its deterioration over the past 50 years and the lack of investment in improvements. Residents highlighted the need for revitalization, particularly in light of population growth and increased development in the area. Concerns were also raised about inaccuracies in the p.lural Parks Report’s parkland calculations. Staff confirmed there was an error and will bring corrected figures back to Council in a report. Residents expressed a willingness to work collaboratively with the Township to improve Kin Bruce Park and address broader parkland needs in the community.

Holding Removal By-law update

Committee of the Whole supported a recommendation to delegate the authority to pass holding symbol removal by-laws to the Mayor and Clerk. Holding symbols are used during the planning process to ensure certain conditions are met before development can proceed. Since the removal of a holding symbol is considered a minor and procedural step under the Planning Act, delegating this authority will help streamline approvals and improve overall efficiency in the planning process. A by-law will be brought forward to formalize this delegation.

Public Works Tenders

Committee of the Whole approved several public works tenders as part of the Township’s 2025 capital projects. These include contracts for gravel resurfacing, asphalt paving, dust control, and the Gough Street reconstruction, among others. These projects represent key investments in maintaining and improving local infrastructure.

For full details, including the awarded contractors for each project, please visit the Committee of the Whole agenda.

Refreshment Vehicle By-Law updates

Committee of the Whole received a report on updating the Refreshment Vehicle By-law aimed at modernizing regulations, supporting economic development, and enhancing flexibility for mobile food vendors. Key changes include expanding permitted locations to most municipal properties (excluding residential zones and the Point Clark Lighthouse), allowing operation at Township and permitted special events without a licence, and removing the cap on the number of annual licences issued. The Lighthouse has been excluded due to parking space restrictions. Council directed Staff to bring forward a report on potential options for operating locations for refreshment vehicles in Point Clark should the exclusion for the Point Clark Lighthouse remain within the draft by-law.

These updates reflect the Township’s strategic goals of fostering economic vitality and embracing a thriving rural lifestyle, while continuing to ensure public health, safety, and responsible operation.

NWMO Concludes Site Selection Process

The Township of Huron-Kinloss has received a letter from the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) acknowledging the conclusion of the Adaptive Phased Management (APM) site selection process. While a final site was selected elsewhere in November 2024, the NWMO formally recognized Huron-Kinloss for its active participation and contributions throughout the process.

As a gesture of appreciation, the Township will receive a $750,000 community well-being contribution to support initiatives such as youth and elder programs, sustainability projects, economic development, and energy efficiency. This marks the end of the Township’s engagement in the site selection process, and Council expressed gratitude for the opportunity to be part of this national dialogue.

Upcoming Meetings

The next Township of Huron-Kinloss Council meeting is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23rd due to the Easter holiday. The Council meeting scheduled for April 14th has been canceled. The meeting will be held in Council Chambers at the Municipal Office, 21 Queen Street in Ripley.

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