Council and Special Public Hearing Committee Meeting Summary – July 28, 2026
Norfolk County Council and Public Hearing Committee met on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. During the meeting, Council recessed to convene a Public Hearing Committee meeting, then reconvened to continue regular Council business.
Residents can view the meeting agendas for reports and recorded video. Below are highlights from the meetings.
Reports under the Municipal Drainage Act
Smith Drain project
- Council approved the Smith Municipal Drain Report and the associated increase to the project with funding from external recoveries and the Drain Construction Reserve
- Property owners questioned potential impacts from future development; staff and the engineer advised the drain is intended to provide a legal outlet and safely convey water through the property
Consent items
- Council appointed Millard, Rouse & Rosebrugh LLP as Norfolk County’s external auditor for the 2026 to 2030 fiscal audits
- Council received an update on Norfolk County’s 2026 debt issuance
- Council supported a resolution to make the enhanced funding from the Ontario Community Infrastructure Fund permanent
Deputations
- Western Ontario Wardens’ Caucus provided an update on advocacy priorities related to infrastructure funding, homelessness prevention, rural transit, hydro access and broadband connectivity
- A Port Dover condominium resident spoke about the impact of the new waste program and having to arrange private collection
Council received the deputations as information.
Communication
- Council received an update on the ELERCA transition and appointment of a project executive
- Council received a letter from the Dogsnest 1851 Committee thanking Norfolk County for its support of Dogsnest Day and the Dogsnest 175th anniversary celebration
Approval of minutes and reports of committees
- Council approved the minutes from the previous Council meeting and received Council-in-Committee, Public Hearing Committee and advisory committee minutes
- Council also reviewed the following Council-in-Committee item from July 14, 2026, that was pulled for further discussion
Curbside waste collection program – condominium service levels
- Council approved an amended approach that keeps the approved technical guidelines for condominiums in place, but allows condominium corporations to apply for an exception for boulevard collection
- Applications will require approval by the General Manager of Public Works
Staff reports and discussion items
Repeal of heritage designation – 841 Norfolk Street North, Simcoe
- Council considered an application to repeal the heritage designation for the MacKay/Black Residence at 841 Norfolk Street North in Simcoe
- Staff recommended refusing the application, noting the building continues to have heritage value and remains protected under the Ontario Heritage Act
- Council directed staff to proceed with the process required to repeal the designation
Zoning By-law amendment - Silos of Waterford
- Council approved a zoning by-law amendment for the Silos of Waterford development at 257 West Church Street, consisting of semi-detached and townhouse units and an amenity building
Zoning By-law amendment – Windham Road 5, Teeterville
Watch recorded video and Watch recorded video
- Council approved two related zoning by-law amendments for 688 and 690 Windham Road 5 to support boundary adjustments and ensure consistent zoning across the properties
Zoning By-law amendment – 126 Decou Road, Simcoe
- Council approved a zoning by-law amendment related to lands on Decou Road to support a severance and recognize site-specific provisions for the affected lands
Spatial Separation Agreement Authority By-law
- Council approved a by-law authorizing the Chief Building Official and Deputy Chief Building Official to approve and execute spatial separation agreements
- The by-law is intended to support consistent and timely processing of technical agreements required under the Ontario Building Code
False alarm fee update
- Council received an update on the false alarm fee approved by the Norfolk County OPP Detachment Board; updated fees will take effect August 1, 2026
219 Regent Avenue, Port Dover
- Following consideration at today’s Public Hearing Committee meeting (below), Council approved the zoning by-law amendment to permit an addition to an existing apartment building
By-laws
- Council passed by-laws related to planning and municipal operations
- Council also gave first and second reading to the by-law for the Smith Municipal Drain
Other business
- Following communication with the Ministry of Transportation (MTO), flashing beacons will be installed by the MTO on the stop signs on Fertilizer Road at Highway 3 to improve safety at the intersection
- Southwestern Integrated Fibre Technology (SWIFT) will be starting a project to study the level of cell phone coverage in Norfolk County
Announcements
- Simcoe Heritage Friendship Festival will take place Friday, July 31 to Monday, August 3, 2026, in downtown Simcoe
- Sandpines Campfire Concert Series featuring Tim Hicks will take place on Saturday, August 1, 2026, at the Port Rowan marina park
Closed session
- Council met in closed session to consider matters permitted under the Municipal Act, including negotiations for a Port Dover property matter, land acquisition/disposition matters in Wards 1, 2 and 3, a potential forest parcel donation, and an Ombudsman closed meeting investigation
- Following closed session, Council received updates and directed staff to proceed as discussed in closed session
Special Public Hearings Committee
Norfolk County's Public Hearing Committee met on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. Final recommendations will be presented to Council at a future meeting.
Development Charges Background Study
- An overview of the Development Charges Background Study was presented by Watson and Associates Economists Ltd.
- Speakers raised concerns about proposed development charge increases, while Council discussed impacts on housing affordability, growth and infrastructure funding
- The Committee directed that the matter go back to the Development Liaison Committee for additional input before the report returns to Council
Community Improvement Plan updates
- The Committee approved updates to the Community Improvement Plan to improve clarity, consistency, and transparency in how applications are reviewed and evaluated
219 Regent Avenue, Port Dover
- The Committee heard a proposal supporting an addition to an existing Haldimand Norfolk Housing Corporation apartment building, with 35 additional affordable housing units
- Residents raised concerns about building height and neighbourhood impacts
- Staff clarified that the existing zoning already permits a five-storey apartment building, and that the application before Council related to other items, including the number of units and parking provisions
