by Sylene Argent
Jackson Street will not be turned into a one-way
Council received the report “Jackson Street (Colchester) Improvement – Council Feedback & Administration Recommendations.”
Last month, Council directed Town staff to bring back further information regarding a recommended change to Jackson Street in Colchester, meant to improve parking. This would give Council time to provide Administration with feedback. The idea was to change the southbound way from County Road 50 to Sullivan Street to a one-way road, with the intention of using the second lane for on-street parking for up to 23 spaces.
Other recommendations included making this area a Community Safety Zone and setting the speed limit on the proposed one-way road to 40km/hr.
Feedback from residents has also been collected since that May 15 meeting.
The recommendation came from a traffic study RC Spencer Associates Inc. prepared.
David McBeth, Manager of Capital Works and Asset Management, noted that based on the feedback provided, there was no support for the proposal to change Jackson Street into a one-way street to create designated on-street parking.
“Most of the feedback from Council was to suggest parking solutions outside of the Jackson Street proposal with many different options proposed,” he notes in the Report to Council. “Therefore, Administration is recommending that Jackson Street remains in its current orientation and should Council determine that parking is still an issue, Council can request Administration to provide options during the 2024 budget process to address parking capacity issues within Colchester Harbour and Jackson Park area.”
Director of Infrastructure Services, Kevin Girard, noted that though there was no appetite from Council to change Jackson Street to a one-way, there is desire to find additional parking to accommodate the park and the beach.
Councillor Rodney Hamond noted there were funds left over from the cost of hiring the consultant and wondered if they could be used to have them investigate paid parking spaces for premium parking and under-used park space.
CAO Doug Sweet responded that until there is a plan, it is hard to allocate cost.
Ancillary dwelling to accommodate farm help requested for 793 County Road 50 East
Essex Council hosted a special meeting on Monday, June 5 to hear of an application that requested Bylaw 2251, to Amend Bylaw 1037, be adopted to allow for a new ancillary dwelling to accommodate housing farm help. Doug and Leslie Balsillie were the applicants for 793 County Road 50 East.
It would contain four rooms, for four workers, with shared facilities and common areas. The location of the accommodation is on the second floor of the new addition.
Manager of Planning Services, Rita Jabbour, explained the 16.45-acre property is zoned agricultural in the Official Plan and is zoned Agricultural 1.2. It contains one single-detached dwelling, a greenhouse, storage/cooler facility, and an equipment outbuilding. There is also a road-side fruit and vegetable stand.
In the current zoning regulations, only one main single-detached dwelling is permitted per lot in the A1.1 zoning district, and only one second dwelling unit accessory to the main dwelling is permitted. Ancillary dwellings used for farm labour accommodations require a site-specific zoning amendment and is subject to Site Plan Control.
She explained ancillary buildings have to be located on the lot and in such a way to prevent the creation of a severable residence in the future.
The Planning Department is of the opinion that it does meet the requirement for the by-law amendment as the size and the nature of the operation requires the onsite accommodation, Jabbour added.
During the regular Council meeting later that evening, Council passed the recom mendations.
Request for two residential dwelling units on the
ground floor for 14 Wilson Avenue
During a special Council meeting held prior to the regular meeting, Council also heard of an application from Claude and Jospeh Dube for 14 Wilson Avenue, requesting permission for two residential dwelling units on the ground floor.
In addition, there was a request for an exemption from the parking requirement from the amenity space – the landscaped open space or recreational area – requirement for the two ground floor residential units.
The ground floor would also have a commercial unit and a commercial/storage unit.
Manager of Planning, Rita Jabbour, explained this was in regards to a 371.61 square-meter commercial land, which is designated Central Commercial in Essex Centre and is zoned Commercial District C2.2 -general commercial uses.
In the current Zoning regulations, in a Combined Use Building, all dwelling units have to be located above the ground floor. In addition, 1.25 parking spaces are required for each dwelling and 15-percent of those parking spaces are to be reserved for visitor parking. The regulations also require an amenity space for each residential apartment unit within a mixed-use building.
It was noted one of the units will be accessible, being on the ground floor. Mayor Sherry Bondy had concerns with the lack of accessible parking spaces with the accessible apartment.
During the regular Council meeting later that evening, Council passed the recommendation.
Subdivision Development Agreement for 80 Maidstone Avenue West passed
Council adopted Bylaw Number 2249 to enter into a Subdivision Development Agreement for the residential development located at 80 Maidstone Avenue West in the Essex Centre between 1552843 Ontario Limited and the Corporation of the Town of Essex.
The Report to Council notes On April 26, the Manager of Planning Services for the County of Essex issued a letter of draft plan approval for the lands located at 80 Maidstone Avenue West in the Essex Centre.
The approval applies to the draft plan of subdivision dated February 21, 2023 for the development of five blocks for twenty-two (22) townhouse residential units, 10 blocks for 20 semi-detached residential units, two blocks for greenspace, and three blocks for stormwater management facilities.
Lori Chadwick, Director of Development Services, said there were around 40 conditions of approval the County issued. She added other conditions need to be met prior to shovel hitting the ground.
As a condition of draft plan approval, the owner is required to enter into a subdivision
agreement where the applicant agrees to satisfy all requirements. Following execution of Bylaw 2249, the agreement will be registered on title of the lands. The owner will have three- years from the date of draft plan approval to satisfy all conditions imposed by the County of Essex.
Owner, Walter Branco, explained he is willing to sign the agreement as it is, however, he is waiting for clarification on Bill 23 in regards to development charges and park fees.
Up to $980k approved for Essex’s share
of County’s hot asphalt tender
Council approved spending up to $980,883.97 to the County of Essex for the Town of Essex’s share of the County’s Hot Mix Asphalt Tender, plus applicable escalation and administrative costs.
Director of Infrastructure, Kevin Girard, explained Essex partnered with the County through exploring economies of scale through its hot mix asphalt road works.
He said by doing so, the Town saved around 33 percent on the overall tender.
He is hoping this partnership can continue.
The three Town of Essex paving projects were in close proximity to proposed County of Essex paving projects, so the County agreed to tender the projects, the Report to Council notes.
These projects are North Talbot Road, from County Road 11 to Walker Sideroad (CIREAM project); Wright Road, from County Road 50 to the southern limit (mill and pave project); and Arthur Street South, from County Road 20 to Murdoch Street (mill and pave project).
GIP Paving was the low bidder for the Cold-in-Place Recycling with Expanded Asphalt Mix (CIREAM) works and Mill-Am Corporation was the low bidder for the milling and paving works.
Authority to complete sanitary and stormwater alterations passed
Council delegated authority to the Director of Infrastructure Services to complete sanitary and stormwater alterations in the Town of Essex, including the approval and imposition of terms and conditions for works to be undertaken.
Council also direct edAdministration to adopt the fees and charges proposed, effective June 5, 2023, and to amend by-law 2040 (fees and charges) during its annual revision in 2024 to include the proposed fees.
Administration will bring Council proposed changes to By-Law Number 1924, being a by-law to delegate the duties and powers of the Council of the Town of Essex.
Director of Infrastructure, Kevin Girard, explained since the 1970s, anytime an expansion occurs for stormwater or sanitary sewers, an Environment Compliance Approval (ECA) is required, which sets the approval for operating and maintenance of this infrastructure for the Town for Town-owned infrastructure.
Now, the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation, and Parks (MECP) has delegated this authority to municipalities, called the Consolidated Linear Infrastructure Environmental Compliance Approval (CLI ECA), he explained.
The CLI ECA replaces all former ECAs and allows the Town to approve any low-risk infrastructure expansions.
This will have some impact on the Town, including additional studies, implication for application fees and cost-recovery of services provided by the Town, potential staffing impacts, and additional operational impacts as part of additional studies required, Girard said.
No additional studies will be undertaken without authorization from Council, but they could be noticed in the 2024 Budget or sooner, he added. The Town can collect a fee to help recover the cost of staff time or additional studies.
The Town is not adequately staffed to undertake studies. There will be a request for a new position in the future, he said.
$160,000 approved for McGregor Sanitary Environmental Assessment
Council approved the expenditure of $160,000 toward the cost of the McGregor Sanitary Environmental Assessment from the Development Charges Reserve.
This is half the cost, with Amherstburg contributing the other half.
Although these lands are within the Town of Essex, municipal water and sanitary servicing is owned and maintained by the Town of Amherstburg, which includes the McGregor Lagoons, which are located Southwest of the Essex Secondary Settlement Area, the Report to Council notes.
It notes development interest in McGregor has increased, which has led to the allocation/use of the treatment capacity within the McGregor Lagoons.
The EA process is a planning tool used to identify the possible adverse effects of proposed infrastructure projects on the environment, and is a decision-making framework that enables the evaluation of alternative solutions to the problem.
As the McGregor rep, Councillor Kim Verbeek is grateful to have this project move forward. Since she was elected last term, she has been made aware of the need for this.
Business Retention and Expansion Action Plan presented
Council received information regarding the Town of Essex’s new Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Action Plan.
In October of 2022, the Town issued a survey to better understand the plans and needs of local businesses and how business owners view the community as a place to do business, the Report to Council notes, adding, Deloitte LLP was retained to undertake that work.
The information from the survey was used to develop a draft Action Plan, which focuses on the top priorities identified by local businesses and was presented to Council in February 2023.
The Final BR&E Action Plan identifies a variety of focus areas, including workforce support, BR&E response, housing and commercial space, targeted small business support, and associated action items.
Council approved $55,000 for this project in 2022. The cost of Deloitte’s services came in under budget at $16,556. The remaining budget will be used for Business Retention and Expansion projects, it adds.
Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais asked about the four key factors, including secondary programming, unskilled labour, adequate housing, and affordable commercial leases and asked how Town staff could tackle these issues.
Nelson Silveira, Economic Development Officer, said the plan has short and long-term goals. Some of the actions may not be exactly relatable and the Town needs to see what is going to be the best actions that will benefit the businesses directly.
McGuire-Blais hoped the plan would be more user-friendly for everyday businesses.
Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley said the biggest thing is finding ways to bring people into the Town.
Council approves Gateway Sign Policy
Council adopted the Gateway Signage Policy and allocated $5,000 from the Council Contingency Fund to be designated for the installation of gateway signage approved through the Gateway Signage Policy.
The Report to Council noted the Gateway Signage Policy establishes consistent procedures for the display of gateway signs, which includes responsibilities of administration, criteria for permitted signage, signage not permitted, and the funding model for gateway signs owned and operated by the Town of Essex.
It adds that in 2022, there were requests for gateway signage to be added for different reasons, and it was determined that a policy was needed to provide clear expectations to staff on what is and what is not permitted.
NoM: Supporting Essex Centre businesses during streetscape
At the May 15 meeting, Essex Mayor Sherry Bondy put forward a Notice of Motion that Council direct Administration to review options to promote the businesses in Ward 1 during the Essex Streetscape and Victoria Avenue Project construction.
This was discussed during this meeting.
In speaking to the motion, Economic Development Officer, Nelson Silveira, explained what Administration has been doing to support and promote businesses. He noted through the My Main Street Program up until February, five businesses located within the Streetscape area earned a $10,000 grant through that program. The Town also promoted a variety of different programs available through that program.
In addition, the Digital Main Street Program was promoted to businesses, the Town website offers grant funding information, and the Town partnered with Community Futures about programs they offer. He said staff have also listened to business owners regarding project concerns.
Marc Tortola, Manager of Strategic Communications, said staff wanted to ensure the branding of the Streetscape project aligned with the Town of Essex branding, and has the tagline of “excitement is building,” to build anticipation.
Signs were created to note businesses were open during the Streetscape project. He also spoke of print and social media campaigns.
Bondy said it is great to highlight what the Town was doing and wanted to engage with Council to see if anything else should be done to support the business area.
Councillor Katie McGuire-Blais asked that the supports for businesses be listed on the website, that ads outline where municipal parking is available to aid visitors, and additional signage to municipal parking be installed.
Councillor Joe Garon wondered if something can be done to urge residents to shop and support businesses in a direct-to-home campaign.
Administration will come up with costs associated with some of the suggestions made and provide that information to Council at the future meeting, in addition to where the funds could come from.
NoM: review level of service for Town owned but not assumed beach roads
At the May 15 meeting, Councillor Brad Allard brought forward a Notice of Motion, which was discussed at this meeting. He asked that in recognizing that Essex’s beach roads are growing with development and improvements, Administration be directed to review and report on the current level of service for Town owned but not assumed beach roads and, if appropriate, provide low-cost options for raising the level of service of the roads with 2023 Council Contingency Funds and future budgets.
He said this is a good opportunity to take road millings from the asphalt and put them on the sideroads down to the beach to upgrade their level of service.
Deputy Mayor Rob Shepley said there are roads all over the municipality that need work. He wanted a report from Administration to come forward before making a decision on this.
Director of Infrastructure Services, Kein Girard, said there used to be a Beach Roads Committee prior to 2008 that looked at what it would take to assume the roads. Ultimately, it was decided any improvements beyond what existed would have to go through the local improvement act, meaning neighbours would have to petition the municipality to upgrade the road, with the costs borne by the residents requesting the improvements. Then, the municipality would own it and maintain it.
It is the most fair and equitable process, he said.
Council directed Administration to prepare a report to provide that information.
Notices of Motion to be presented at the June 19 Council meeting:
• Councillor Jason Matyi will ask Council to direct Administration to make Jackson Street, south of County Road 50, a Community Safety Zone.
• Councillor Matyi will ask Council to direct Administration to have a comprehensive safety audit of Colchester Beach and waterfront by Lifesaving Society, and further develop a safety plan based on the findings from the consultant.
This Notice of Motion was presented at the previous Council meeting, but was postponed.