Essex County Council Special Meeting Minutes

Meeting Time:
Council Chambers, 2nd Floor
360 Fairview Avenue West
Essex, Ontario N8M 1Y6
https://video.isilive.ca/countyofessex/live.html
Council:
  • Michael Akpata, Councillor
  • Joe Bachetti, Deputy Warden
  • Tracey Bailey, Councillor
  • Sherry Bondy, Councillor
  • Kimberly DeYong, Councillor
  • Chris Gibb, Councillor
  • Hilda MacDonald, Warden
  • Gary McNamara, Councillor
  • Crystal Meloche, Councillor
  • Michael Prue, Councillor
  • Dennis Rogers, Councillor
  • Rob Shepley, Councillor
  • Larry Verbeke, Councillor
  • Kirk Walstedt, Councillor
Administration:
  • Katherine Hebert, County Clerk
  • David Sundin, Director, Legislative and Legal Services / County Solicitor
  • Crystal Sylvestre, Manager, Records and Accessibility / Deputy Clerk
  • Sandra Zwiers, Chief Administrative Officer
  • Rebecca Belanger, Manager, Planning Services

1.
Call to Order

 

The Warden called the meeting to order at 5:06 pm.

2.
Recording of Attendance

 

Warden MacDonald and members of Council attended the meeting in-person at the County of Essex Administration Building, Council Chamber

3.
Indigenous Land Acknowledgement

 

We acknowledge the land on which the County of Essex is located is the traditional territory of the Three Fires Confederacy of First Nations, comprised of the Ojibway, Odawa and Potawatomie Peoples. 


We specifically recognize Caldwell First Nation and other First Nations which have provided significant historical and contemporary contributions to this region. 


We also value the contributions of all Original Peoples of Turtle Island, who have been living and working on this land from time immemorial.

4.
Disclosure of Pecuniary Interest

 

There were no conflicts of pecuniary interest declared.

5.
County Warden’s Welcome and Remarks

 

The Warden welcomed everyone to the Special Meeting of Essex County Council to hear information pertaining to a proposed Official Plan amendment affecting property on Mersea Road 4 in Leamington.

6.
Official Plan Amendment - File number OPA-07, RE 810 Mersea Road 4, Municipality of Leamington

This item has attachments. 
1.Public Meeting Notice_ Official Plan Amendment Affecting Leamington - County of Essex.pdf

Essex County Council held a public meeting pursuant to Sections 17 and 22 of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, as amended, for the purposes of amending the County of Essex Official Plan to amend Schedule “A1” and “A2” of the County’s Official Plan to redesignate the property addressed as 810 Mersea Road 4, Municipality of Leamington, from “Secondary Settlement Area” to “Agricultural.” This amendment has been requested in order to support the conversion of the existing dwelling on the property to worker housing for the neighbouring greenhouse operation.

7.
Introductory Remarks

 

Rebecca Belanger explained that the proposed Official Plan amendment would affect property on Mersea Road 4 in Leamington where the applicant is seeking to redesignate the property from secondary settlement area to agricultural.

The amendment had been requested in order to support the conversion of an existing dwelling on the property to worker housing for the neighbouring greenhouse operation.

It was further explained that an application had been submitted to the Leamington Planning Department where it was deemed complete and there were no objections noted.

Any comments received today will be summarized in a future report to Council.

8.
Delegations and Presentations

 

There were no delegations scheduled for January 15, 2025.

9.
Communications

 

9.1
Correspondence

 
  • 007-2025
    Moved ByCrystal Meloche
    Seconded ByChris Gibb

    That the correspondence listed on the agenda for January 15, 2025 Special Meeting, be received. 

    (Voted by show of hands)

    Carried

10.
Reports and Questions

 

10.1
Public Meeting to consider an Amendment to the County Official Plan- 810 Mersea Road 4, Municipality of Leamington, OPA #7

This item has attachments. 
1.2025-0115-IPS-R01-RB Statutory Public Meeting to hear comments on County OPA 7, 810 Mersea Road 4 .pdf
2.Appendix A_OPA-7 Bylaw and document.pdf
3.Appendix B_REVISED 810 Mersea Rd 4 - GLG County Planning Brief_UA.pdf
4.Appendix C_Notice of Public Meeting OPA-7 810 Mersea Rd 4_UA.pdf
5.Appendix D_ERCA Comments OPA-07_UA.pdf

Report number 2025-0115-IPS-R01-RB, Public Meeting to consider an Amendment to the County Official Plan- 810 Mersea Road 4, Municipality of Leamington, OPA #7, from Rebecca Belanger, Manager, Planning Services, dated January 15, 2025 

  • 008-2025
    Moved ByRob Shepley
    Seconded ByGary McNamara

    That Essex County Council receive report number 2025-0115-IPS-R01-RB, Statutory Public Meeting to hear comments on County OPA 7, and that pending comments received, consider the adoption of a By-law at a future meeting of Council.

    (Voted by show of hands)

    Carried

11.
Adjournment

 
  • 009-2025
    Moved ByLarry Verbeke
    Seconded ByMichael Prue

    That the Essex County Council Special meeting for January 15, 2025 be adjourned at 5:14 PM.

    Carried
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