Regular Council

THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated September 23, 2024 be adopted as printed.

THAT the Addendum to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated October 15, 2024, be added to the Agenda as printed.

THAT Stephen Owen be heard.

THAT Caroline Baker, Eva Bailey, Henroy Bailey, Garvia Bailey, Robert Ritz, and Mike Sullivan be heard.

THAT Application Z01-24 to amend the zoning of 93 Trinity Street from a Factory District I4 Zone to a Residential Fifth Density R5(3) Special R5(3)-2 Zone with site specific regulations BE APPROVED to allow: a. the uses of “Cluster Townhouse Dwellings”, “Stacked Townhouse Dwellings”, and “Street Townhouse Dwellings” to the permitted uses, in addition to all other uses permitted in the R5 Zone. b. Notwithstanding Section 3, the lot lines shall be deemed as follows: i. Douro Street – Front Lot Line ii. Trinty Street – Exterior Side Lot Line iii. King Street – Exterior Side Lot Line c. Notwithstanding Section 4.20.1, balconies, porches, and decks are permitted to encroach into the required front yard setback and exterior side yard setback and shall be no closer than 0 metres from the lot line of an existing building. d. Notwithstanding Section 4.20.1, architectural adornments including but necessarily restricted to, sills, belt courses, chimneys, cornices, eaves, gutters, parapets, and pilasters, shall be no closer than 0 metres from any lot line to an existing building. Regular Council Minutes 12 October 15, 2024 e. Notwithstanding Section 4.30.1, a walkway connecting to a dwelling unit shall have a maximum width of 2.0 metres. f. Notwithstanding Section 5.0, off-street parking shall be provided as follows: i. Studio/1 Bedroom Dwelling Unit: 0.75 parking spaces/unit, plus 0.14 parking spaces/unit dedicated to visitor parking ii. 2 and 3-Bedroom Dwelling Unit: 1 parking spaces/u

THAT Council directs City staff to develop a Request for Expression of Interest [REOI] process to gauge developer interest in the municipal lands at 38 Coriano Street and 161 East Gore Street; Regular Council Minutes 17 October 15, 2024 THAT the REOI be developed to attract developers engaged in the creation of affordable and attainable units of housing on the lands in question; THAT a report be prepared for Council’s consideration following the evaluation process; THAT the City issue an RFP to create two new affordable housing units at 246 Railway in the most efficient and economically sustainable way possible; AND THAT the Matrix of evaluation criteria account for donated goods and in kind services.

THAT the Consumption of Liquor with Food in Designated Public Places By-law 37-2021, as amended, be further amended to:  Change the Permitted Spaces and Hours in section 3(b) to: o The hours that Liquor may be consumed in any Permitted Spaces are as follows:  Sunday to Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Friday to Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.  Replace the Terms and Conditions for the Consumption in Permitted Spaces Section 5 to: o The consumption of Liquor in the Permitted Spaces shall only be permitted subject to the following terms and conditions: Regular Council Minutes 20 October 15, 2024  Only Liquor purchased from City restaurants registered in the Stratford Al Fresco program shall be allowed in the Permitted Spaces;  The consumption of Liquor must be in a responsible manner and in compliance with all Applicable Laws including all City policies, by-laws, practices and procedures; and  Liquor shall not be consumed in any area situated outside of the designated Permitted Spaces.

THAT the request to nominate a second member of Stratford City Council to the Destination Stratford Board of Directors be received; AND THAT direction be given to proceed with Option 1, the nomination of a second Council member to the Board with a report to be brought forward at a subsequent Council meeting to select the nominee.

THAT Council approve the application for part lot control exemptions for a one (1) year term from the date of this Council approval for lands legally described as Lot 3 of Registered Plan 44M-91 and more specifically as Parts 1-13 of Reference Plan 44R-6259, municipally addressed as 53-55 Worsley Street.

THAT Council authorize the extension agreement with Mosey & Mosey benefit consultants; AND THAT the Mayor and Clerk, or their respective delegates, be authorized to execute the agreement.

THAT Council support the City’s application to the Connecting Links Program 2025-2026 of $3,000,000 for Phase 2 of the Huron Street Reconstruction project, with the remainder of the project funded from capital reserve funds committed to this project; THAT Council authorizes proceeding with the Huron Street Reconstruction Phase 2 project, from Matilda Street to John Street, as outlined in the ten-year capital program at an estimated cost of $6,300,000; AND THAT the Director of Corporate Services be authorized to sign and submit the application on behalf of the City.

THAT the encroachment application for 370 Ontario Street to permit the existing asphalt parking space, concrete walkway, concrete pad with stairs, covered porch, gravel walkway, garden/bushes and sign to encroach onto the Ontario Street road allowance for a total encroachment area of 55.69m2, be approved; THAT the annual fee of $414.91 adjusted yearly by the CPI, be added to the property tax bill for 370 Ontario Street; AND THAT the City Clerk be directed to prepare a by-law authorizing the encroachment at 370 Ontario Street.

THAT Council authorize the conveyance of Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 on Reference Plan 44R-6254 from Chancery Development Ltd. to The Corporation of the City of Stratford; AND THAT upon conveyance of Parts 1, 2, 3, and 4 on Reference Plan 44R-6254 to the City of Stratford, these lands be dedicated as public highway forming part of Ontario Street.

THAT the encroachment application for 639, 649 and 663 Ontario Street to permit the following:  wood porch and steps located at 639 Ontario Street (Lot 49);  sidewalk (ramped) and sign located at 649 Ontario Street (Lot 50/51/52); and  enclosed porch and steps located at 663 Ontario Street (Lot 53) to encroach onto the Ontario Street road allowance for a total encroachment area of 44.04m2, be approved; THAT the retaining wall garden where a mature tree was removed at 649 Ontario Street be removed at the sole cost of the owner; THAT the concrete sidewalk and step off the City sidewalk at 649 Ontario Street be removed at the sole cost of the owner; Regular Council Minutes 24 October 15, 2024 THAT the annual fee of $133.56 adjusted yearly by the CPI, be added to the property tax bill for 639, 649, and 663 Ontario Street; AND THAT the City Clerk be directed to prepare a by-law authorizing the encroachment at 639, 649, and 663 Ontario Street. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the following;  a member commented that they will be opposing the motion as they are not in favour of adding to the property tax bills of residential properties while a review of the current policy is underway;  due to competing priorities, there being no date yet for when the policy review report will be coming back to Council; and  it being too early for staff to comment on whether previous encroachments will be covered by the new policy. The Mayor called the question on the mot

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims October 20 to 26, 2024 as Ontario Public Library Week in the City of Stratford and encourages all residents of Stratford to show support for our local public library by visiting the library year round to utilize the wide variety of services offered. The Mayor thanked the CEO of the Stratford Public Library and staff for their work. A member commented that the Stratford Public Library will be having an open house and other programs during the Ontario Public Library Week. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims the month of October as Probus Month in the City of Stratford to raise awareness of the Probus Club, serving as a social group for retired individuals.

THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims the month of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month in the City of Stratford to raise awareness to be a part of continuing conversation about disability inclusion in employment, in business and in our communities. A member, on behalf of the Accessibility Advisory Committee, thanked business in town who are already employing people with disabilities and are helping them bring pride to the work that they do. The Mayor called the question on the motion.

THAT the Report of the Social Services Committee dated October 15, 2024, be adopted as printed.

THAT the Report of the Finance and Labour Relations Committee dated October 15, 2024, be adopted as printed.

THAT By-laws 113-2024 to 121-2024 be taken collectively.

THAT By-laws 113-2024 to 121-2024 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-laws 113-2024 to 121-2024 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 122-2024 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 122-2024 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT By-law 123-2024 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 123-2024 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT CA-2024-172, being a resolution from the County of Brant regarding Southwest Community Transit Funding, be endorsed.

THAT CA-2024-162, being a resolution from the City of Kitchener regarding Renovictions and Safe and Adequate Housing, be endorsed. Members of Council and staff held a discussion regarding the following:  a member commented that they do not see it as a good policy as it could lead to potential problems such as causing landlords to get rid of the rental properties due to losing money; and  the Director of Social Services advised that it is a very debatable topic and they could see both sides of the issue. The motion was

THAT CA-2024-171, being a resolution from the Regional Municipality of Waterloo regarding Solve the Crisis, be endorsed.

THAT the Council meeting adjourn to convene into Standing Committee as follows:  Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee [7:05 p.m. or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting] and to Committee of the Whole if necessary, and to reconvene into Council.

THAT By-law 124-2024 be read a First and Second Time.

THAT By-law 124-2024 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.

THAT the October 15, 2024, Regular Council meeting adjourn.