Council / Committee Meetings – Thursday, November 18, 2021

Residential Lots Created in Amabel Township

After a public meeting, the Planning and Development Committee approved the creation of two 2-hectare, non-farm residential lots on private services at 259 Elsinore Road in the Town of South Bruce Peninsula (Amabel Township). The retained parcel will have an area of approximately 125 hectares and is proposed to continue to be used for agriculture. The proposal is aligned with the Homes Principle as the proposed application provides two additional building lots available for development. The proposal is aligned with the Agriculture Guiding Principle as the proposal does not impact the viability of the owner’s farm and does not result in a Minimum Distance Separation conflict with surrounding agricultural operations.

Residential Lot Created in Kincardine Lakeshore Area

After a public meeting, the Planning and Development Committee approved the creation of a new vacant residential lot approximately 4,115 square metres in area from an existing residential property at 27 Whispering Woods, in the Municipality of Kincardine. The retained lot is proposed to be approximately 1.97 ha and contains an existing detached dwelling and accessory buildings. The Good Growth guiding principle is supported by the creation of a new infill residential lot in the Kincardine Lakeshore area, which is designated a Secondary Urban Community. The extension of municipal infrastructure to this area is not feasible at this time, but the size of the lot is adequate to accommodate private services.

Farm Severance in Brockton

The Planning and Development Committee approved the severance of a 0.54 ha surplus farm dwelling lot from a 51.20 ha agricultural parcel at 1100 Bruce Road 20, in the Municipality of Brockton. The proposed farm consolidation is strongly aligned with the Bruce County Guiding Principle on Agriculture. Farm consolidations support the agricultural sector by enabling farms to become more efficient and better integrated and encourage alternative methods of production such as implementation of agri-environmental measures and good agricultural practices.

Aggregate Operation Expansion in South Bruce Peninsula

The Planning and Development Committee approved the expansion of an existing aggregate operation with extraction above the water table, subject to the issuance of a license under the Aggregate Resources Act by the Ministry of Natural Resources & Forestry. This aggregate operation is located at 180 Fieldside Road in the Town of South Bruce Peninsula. The proposal involves licensing 2.0 ha for extraction above the water table. The proposal is aligned with the ‘Good Growth’ and ‘Business’ principles as the additional extraction would support growth and development within the community, as well as provide the opportunity for a diverse business.

Plan the Bruce: Agriculture

The Planning and Development Committee approved staff to initiate an Amendment to the County Official Plan to add policy criteria for consideration of smaller agricultural lots and to update the policies on industrial and commercial uses in agricultural areas. The Committee previously expressed interest in identifying opportunities to advance policy changes or tools in the near-term to support development objectives while not detracting from the work to advance the larger Plan the Bruce project. A review of feedback on the Plan the Bruce: Agriculture project has identified policy changes that meet this intent. Policy changes could include more policy detail to support proposals for smaller new agricultural lots and broadening permitted uses to reflect more flexible Provincial policy and guidelines. One intended outcome of these changes would be to reduce the number of routine site-specific Official Plan Amendments that are required under current Official Plan policies.

Economic Development Strategic Framework

The Planning and Development Committee approved that the Economic Development Strategic Framework will be used as a foundation for the development of the 2022-2026 “Find Yourself in Bruce County” Economic Development Strategic Plan. The Economic Development Strategic Framework identifies broad goals including Business Development, Workforce Development, and Community Development. An Economic Development Plan provides the directions and support actions that frame the work of the economic portfolio for Bruce County.

Enhanced Spruce the Bruce Community Development Program

The Enhanced Spruce the Bruce program will launch in Q1 of 2022. The purpose of the Enhanced Spruce the Bruce Program is to build vibrant and welcoming communities to attract residents, tourists, and entrepreneurs to the area. Bruce County budgeted $125,000 for the 2022 Spruce the Bruce program. At the November 18, 2021 meeting, the Planning and Development Committee requested that an information package be sent to local EDOs and Councils in 2021 for review. 

Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs 5 Year Agreement

The Transportation and Environmental Services Committee approved five-year agreement with each member organization of the Ontario Federation of Snowmobile clubs. These new agreements will grant each member organization legal access to County lands. Member organizations currently utilize several County forests and the Bruce County Rail Trail. They are well organized and quick to react to County concerns around trail safety and other issues related to land use. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs are a volunteer led, not for profit association that provides the voice for organized snowmobiling in the province of Ontario. The Ontario Federation of Snowmobile Clubs has a rich history in Bruce County and the relationship between the County and member organizations continues to grow in a positive manner. 

Bruce Road 25 and Goderich St Intersection

The Transportation and Environmental Services Committee approved a letter of support to the Town of Saugeen Shores for a Connecting Links grant application for the installation of a roundabout at the intersection of Bruce Road 25 and Goderich Street in Port Elgin. Over the last 5 years, Bruce County and the Town of Saugeen Shores have worked together implementing the requirements of the Master Plan for Bruce Road 25 Improvements. Recent discussions indicate that the Bruce Road 25 and Goderich Street roundabout could potentially be incorporated as part of the Bruce Road 33 construction project in 2023. Saugeen Shores is currently applying for a Connecting Links funding grant pertaining to the Bruce Road 25 and Goderich Street work.

Request for Speed Limit Reduction on Bruce Road 1

The Transportation and Environmental Services Committee received and reviewed speeding and enforcement concerns from the Township of Huron-Kinloss for the area on Bruce County Road 1 near Kinloss. After considering the staff recommendation to have the posted speed limit on Bruce Road 1 remain at 70 km/h, the Committee has directed Transportation and Environmental Services staff to research the proposal further. The County has also shared the concerns and analysis with the Ontario Provincial Police, who will be adding the area to their enforcement schedule. 

Seasonal Staffing Shortages and the Impact on Winter Road Maintenance 

Recruiting seasonal operators is not a new challenge for Bruce County, however, it has become even more difficult to overcome due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The County is facing challenges hiring seasonal operators for winter road maintenance. Despite vacancies, it is projected that the County will be able to maintain the road network service levels for winter road maintenance. The County still has the authority to declare a Significant Weather Event when needed that advises the public that our response times may be slower than usual and with a recommendation to exercise caution when travelling. The County will be monitoring the compliance of service levels closely with its Maintenance Management System as it is a key performance indicator for the County. Bruce County continues to recruit for vacant positions and the public can view seasonal opportunities with Bruce County at www.brucecounty.on.ca

Bruce Road 6A East Project 

The Transportation & Environmental Services Department (T&ES) plans to rehabilitate Bruce Road 6 East (Mildmay). A project estimate was completed based on the preliminary design process and it was determined in order to complete the full scope of work from Mildmay to Grey Road 10 a significant cost increase was required. The most significant increase was due to additional adjustments required to the vertical curve of the road than had been previously designed. The project scope was amended to rehabilitate BR6 East from Mildmay to east of Deemerton rather than terminating at Grey Road 10. As this project is planned for construction in 2022, the Environmental Assessment process is continuing. A Public Information Consultation (PIC) Zoom meeting will be held online on Wednesday, November 24, 2021. 

Capital Projects Status Report - November 2021

The 2021 capital budget for the Transportation and Environmental Services Department (TES) is $11,790,401. Approximatively $3,250,000 is expected to be carried forward from previous years capital budgets. The following lists provide a status update of the TES capital projects for 2021:

• Cold in Place Recycling BR 3 and BR 4 east of Walkerton ($2,313,336) – completed.
• Micro Surfacing BR 2, 9, 19 and 29, West Road ($1,176,699) – completed.
• Widening and Rehabilitation BR 6East Mildmay to Grey Road 10 ($150,000) 
• Culvert Replacements BR8, from BR 14 to Sauble Beach ($205,708) – completed. 
• Pulverize, pave, and safety improvement at intersection BR 8 and 13 ($31,100) 
• Replace Storm Sewer BR 15 Inverhuron ($35,000) 
• BR 25 Improvements and BR 33 Realignment/New Construction. Phase 3 - BR 25 Bruce St to Goderich St. - Roundabout deferred to Phase 4 ($5,433,843) 
• BR 25 Improvements and BR 33 Realignment/New Construction. Phase 4 - BR 33 - Ridge St to Hwy 21 ($710,000)
• BR 6 Teeswater Property settlement ($20,000) 
• New Signage BR 12 Formosa ($33,000) – completed.
• KIPP Trail Kincardine, Financial Contribution ($70,000) – completed.
• Reconstruction BR 30 Chesley ($46,000) – completed.
• Rehabilitate and Reconstruct West Road ($150,000) 
• Luminaires BR 2 and BR 3 intersection ($35,000)
• Luminaires BR 8 and BR 14 intersection ($30,000) 
• Land Purchases at Hwy 9 and BR 1 ($54,000) 
• West Ridge Development Kincardine Phase 1 ($10,000) – completed.
• Replace Durham St Bridge, BR 4, Walkerton ($50,000) 
• Replace Steffler Bridge, BR 12 North of Belmore ($742,979) – completed.
• Replace Culvert BR 86 west of BR 7 ($230,500)
• Arran Township Shed Bridge, Invermay ($78,000) 
• Oswald Bridge Replacement ($25,000) – completed.
• Repair Blackwell Bridge BR 23 ($742,000) – completed.
• Construction New McCurdy Bridge ($12,000) – completed.
• Replace Superstructure Reid Bridge, BR 6, West of Teeswater ($1,290,000) – completed.
• Replace Teeswater River Bridge BR 3 Paisley ($340,000) 
• Repair Culvert BR 86 Lucknow east of Havelock St ($6,500) 
• Repair Saugeen River Bridge BR 4 West of Hanover, financial contribution only ($364,000) – completed.
• Resurface the Rail Trail between Walkerton and Mildmay ($100,000) – completed.

This publication identifies highlights from recent Bruce County Council and Committee meetings. Bruce County’s Office of the CAO maintains complete agendas and minutes from all Council and Committee meetings, which can be reviewed at www.brucecounty.on.ca/government/agendas-and-minutes