Council Meeting Summary – March 24, 2026

Norfolk County Council met on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Residents can view the meeting agenda, reports, and recorded video on the County website.  

Below are highlights from the meeting. 

Consent items

• Council approved the consent items as presented 

Deputations

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Council received deputations related to: 

• A proposed development at Dover Mills Road 
• The Woodway Trails subdivision in Simcoe 
• Municipal Development Corporations 

 All deputations were received as information. 

Reports under the Municipal Drainage Act

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Dewitte Drain and Kozack Drain

• Council adopted the engineer’s reports, authorized the issuance of provisional by-laws, and directed staff to proceed in accordance with the Municipal Drainage Act 
• Council also approved a capital budget increase for the Kozack Drain to support the project 

Demeyere Drain

• Council approved closing the Demeyere Drain project under Section 40 of the Drainage Act and directed staff to complete the required notifications and financial close-out 

Staff reports and discussion items

Public Works

Service Monitoring Report – Water and Wastewater

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• Staff reported that Norfolk County currently has enough water and wastewater capacity to serve residents, with systems monitored every year to ensure safe, reliable service across all urban communities; upgrades that are underway, or planned, will replace aging infrastructure and support future growth  
• Council received the report as information 

Road Improvements Related to Winter Damage

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• Council approved reallocation of up to $1 million from forecasted 2025 surplus to address winter-related road rehabilitation needs 

Community and Development Services

Post Office/Ventin Building, 45 Peel Street, Simcoe

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• Council received the report and did not accept staff’s recommendation to maintain the heritage designation on this property. Council directed staff to return with a report to investigate deregistering the heritage designation of the Post Office/Ventin Building at 45 Peel Street in Simcoe 

Christ Church, Vittoria

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• Council approved the designation of Christ Church in Vittoria under the Ontario Heritage Act 

Zoning By‑law Amendment – 256 Main Street and 194 Talbot Street, Courtland

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• Council approved a zoning by‑law amendment for two properties in Courtland to facilitate future severances after reviewing the planning report and its attachments and considering public input 

Draft Plan of Subdivision and Zoning By‑law Amendment – Woodway Trails Subdivision

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• Council approved a zoning by-law amendment and a draft plan of subdivision for the next phase of Woodway Trail in Simcoe after reviewing the planning report and its attachments and considering public input 

Zoning By‑law Amendment – 81 Dover Mills Road

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• Council approved a zoning by‑law amendment for 81 Dover Mills Road to allow the proposed development after reviewing comments from the public 

Corporate Services

Authority for Administrative Capital Budget Reallocations

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• Council approved changes that allow staff to make budget adjustments within approved capital projects 

By-laws

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Council passed by-laws related to: 

• Drainage works for the Dewitte and Kozack Drains (first and second reading only) 
• Planning and zoning approvals were considered earlier in the meeting 
• User fees, highway dedications, and agreements 
• Financing applications to the Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation 
• Public safety answering point services 

Announcements

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• Council offered congratulations to Mayor Martin and her family on the birth of her child and shared notices about upcoming community activities and meetings, including:  
• Easter egg hunts in Delhi and Waterford 
• Long Point Biosphere Region open house at Bird Canada in Port Rowan 
• St. Williams Fire Department meat raffle 
• Candidate information night on Thursday, April 9, for those interested in running in the October 2026 election 

Closed session

• Council entered into closed sessions to discuss several matters and received for information 
• Council appointed Jason Doyle as a new member of the Simcoe BIA