County of Brant Council Minutes — July 8, 2025

Agenda

1. Approval of Agenda
2. County of Brant Council Minutes of June 10, 2025
3. ZBA12-25-PB – 612 Burtch Road (Public Hearing)
4. ZBA9-25-RC & PS1-25-RC – 73 West River Road (Public Hearing)
5. ZBA10-25-RC & PS2-25-RC – 71 Woodslee Avenue (Public Hearing)
6. OPA3-25-BK – Official Plan Omnibus Report – County-Initiated Official Plan Amendment (Public Hearing)
7. ZBA29-24-LG – 24 Elm Street (Staff Recommendation)
8. ZBA8-25-LK – 452 / 428 West River Road (Staff Recommendation)
9. RPT-0269-25 – All-Way Stop at Keg Lane and Brant-Oxford Road
10. RPT-0278-25 – Award of DEV-RFP-25-01 (Community Planning Permit System)
11. In Camera Session – Pinehurst Road OLT Appeal
12. By-laws

Votes at a Glance

Full Minutes

3. Approval of Agenda

Council approved the agenda for the July 8, 2025 meeting. A procedural rule was also suspended to allow consideration of item 12.1 (the all-way stop report), which is not a Planning Act matter and would not normally be heard at this type of meeting.

6.1. County of Brant Council Minutes of June 10, 2025

Council reviewed and approved the official minutes from the previous Council meeting held on June 10, 2025. The motion passed unanimously with all present members in favour.

9.1. ZBA12-25-PB – 612 Burtch Road (Public Hearing)

Council heard a public information presentation on a proposed zoning change at 612 Burtch Road. The owners want to sever their property and rezone the remaining agricultural land to prevent future residential development on it and to allow a reduced distance requirement from existing farm buildings. No public comments were received and the application was referred to staff for further review.

9.2. ZBA9-25-RC & PS1-25-RC – 73 West River Road (Public Hearing)

Council heard a public information presentation on a proposal to build 71 townhouse units with a public park at 73 West River Road. Two residents raised concerns about tree clearing, water and wastewater capacity, and traffic safety near schools. Staff noted that wastewater capacity is being carefully tracked. The application was referred to staff for review and passed 9 to 1, with Mayor Bailey voting against.

9.3. ZBA10-25-RC & PS2-25-RC – 71 Woodslee Avenue (Public Hearing)

Council heard a public information presentation on a proposal to rezone land at 71 Woodslee Avenue from light industrial to residential, allowing 288 housing units including up to 35 affordable homes. Nearby residents and a neighbouring business owner raised concerns about losing industrial land, the need for buffer zones between industrial and residential uses, traffic, and environmental impacts. Council discussed housing affordability, parking, and land use compatibility before referring the application to staff.

9.4. OPA3-25-BK – Official Plan Omnibus Report – County-Initiated Official Plan Amendment (Public Hearing)

Council heard a presentation on the first phase of updates to the County's Official Plan, aimed at aligning it with the 2024 Provincial Policy Statement. Changes include updated definitions, revised housing and farming policies, support for home-based businesses, and environmental policy updates. Council discussed how planning applications are categorized, public notification standards, mobile home communities, and farmland preservation, with further public consultation to follow.

10.1. ZBA29-24-LG – 24 Elm Street (Staff Recommendation)

Council approved a zoning change at 24 Elm Street in Paris to allow a homeowner to add on to their existing home. The property has unusual lot conditions including no direct street frontage and reduced setbacks from neighbouring properties. The addition meets floodplain and environmental requirements set by the Grand River Conservation Authority and was approved unanimously.

10.2. ZBA8-25-LK – 452 / 428 West River Road (Staff Recommendation)

Council approved a two-year extension of a temporary zoning permission at 428 and 452 West River Road, allowing two dwelling units on agricultural land. The extension supports ongoing efforts to preserve a heritage farmhouse on the property, with the Brant Heritage Committee supportive of the collaborative approach. The motion passed 10 to 1, with Councillor Coleman voting against.

12.1. RPT-0269-25 – All-Way Stop at Keg Lane and Brant-Oxford Road

Council approved converting the intersection of Keg Lane and Brant-Oxford Road to an all-way stop to improve traffic safety. The change is needed because construction on Grand River Street North in Paris is redirecting traffic through this area. A temporary three-way stop is currently in place, with a four-way stop planned soon and traffic lights possibly installed in the fall. Because Brant-Oxford Road is shared with Oxford County, both municipalities must approve the change.

12.2. RPT-0278-25 – Award of DEV-RFP-25-01 (Community Planning Permit System)

Council approved awarding a contract worth $252,848 (before tax) to Dillon Consulting Limited to develop a Community Planning Permit System for the County. This system will streamline how certain planning applications are reviewed and approved. Staff confirmed that progress updates will be reported back to Council.

16. In Camera Session – Pinehurst Road OLT Appeal

Council voted to meet privately (in camera) to discuss confidential legal advice and potential litigation related to an Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) appeal involving Pinehurst Road. The private session began at 8:51 p.m. and Council returned to open session at 9:13 p.m.

17. By-laws

Council gave three readings to and passed four by-laws: one amending traffic regulations to add stop signs at Keg Lane and Brant-Oxford Road (By-law 77-25), one approving the zoning change at 24 Elm Street (By-law 85-25), one approving the temporary zoning extension at 428-452 West River Road (By-law 86-25), and one confirming the proceedings of the meeting (By-law 87-25).

This post was automatically generated by BrantVotes from the official County of Brant council minutes. Always refer to the official minutes for authoritative records.