Council Meeting Summary: November 4, 2025

The following is a brief recap of the main issues and matters that Council dealt with at the meeting held on November 4, 2025. A video recording of the meeting will also be posted at Lakeshore.ca/TV.

These highlights are not official minutes of the meeting and are meant solely for the purpose of general communications. The approved minutes provide the only official record of Council Proceedings and decisions.  

Council:

• Authorized the reduction of taxes under section 357 of the Municipal Act, 2001 totaling $5,304.70 for adjustments affecting the 2023, 2024, and 2025 taxation years. 
• Adopted By-law 81-2025 (Official Plan Amendment No. 22) and By-law 82-2025 (Zoning By-law Amendment ZBA-08-2025) to amend the Municipality of Lakeshore’s policies and regulations with the effect of permitting up to four residential units on a single lot within fully serviced urban residential and mixed use areas of the Municipality. 
• Deferred consideration of the 2025 Road Needs Study to the December 9, 2025 Council meeting. 
• Adopted By-law 79-2025 to adopt an Energy Conservation and Demand Management (ECDM) Plan, 2024-2028 completed by Aladaco Consulting Inc. dated September 26, 2025 as required under O. Reg. 25/23; and directed Administration to bring forward the recommended projects in future budget years for funding. 
• Directed Administration to meet with the County of Essex, MPP Jones and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness to discuss the Municipality of Lakeshore's concerns with the suggested amendments outlined in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing - Municipality of Lakeshore Official Plan Amendment 18 Provincial One Window Comments

Received the following reports for information: 

• Community Planning Division Quarterly Status Update – Q2 and Q3 2025 
• Approach to Designating Properties Listed on the Municipal Register 
• Assessment of Bill 17 (Protect Ontario by Building Faster and Smarter Act, 2025) 
• Directed Administration to send communication to the affected property owners, for properties on the Municipal Heritage Register, advising that no further action will be taken by Council, however residents could apply for a designation at their expense should they wish to do so prior to the regulated deadline date.
• Awarded the Tender for East Branch of Big Creek Drain Brushing to Monden Excavating Ltd. for a total project cost of $105,830.40, including applicable HST. 
• Awarded the tender for the 2025 Street Light Wiring Replacement Project to Field Electrical Contractors Inc in the amount of $125,561.66, including applicable HST; and directed Administration to reallocate the remaining funds of $69,284.20 to complete the Streetlight Wiring Replacement in North Woodslee along County Road 46 from County Road 27 west to Oriole Park Drive. 
• Awarded a contract extension for Winter Control for snow plowing and salting to Landscape Effects Group for a period of two (2) years commencing on December 1, 2025 and continuing to December 1, 2027, in the amount of up to a maximum of $31,143.65 per event, including applicable HST. 
• Directed Administration and the Horizons Team to proceed with the next steps in the County Road 22 Corridor Strategy update to implement Initiative 2 of the Housing Accelerator Fund program. 
• Directed Administration to process the Lakeshore Community Benefit Fund Grant Applications for all eligible applications to a maximum per application of $5,000, and that any surplus be covered under the Community Benefit Fund. 
• Ceased the Community Benefit Fund Grant program and directed Administration to bring forward the necessary by-law for repeal.
• Directed Administration to move the 40km/h speed sign on Oriole Park from the current position to approximately 200 feet west of the intersection at Mullins Drive and Hawthorne and add a 40km/h Ahead sign as needed.
• Directed Administration to explore opportunities to work with the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) and the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority (LTVCA) on a tree plan, with an initial report on estimated costs and ERCA/LTVCA services to be brought back to Council in January 2026. The plan should include but not be limited to tree nurseries, wind breaks and general tree planting.

Adopted the following by-laws: 

• By-law 67-2025, Being a By-law for the Bridge over the 11th Concession Branch of the Alexander Drain in the Municipality of Lakeshore  
• By-law 76-2025, Being a By-law to Delegate Authority for the Declaration of Significant Weather Events  
• By-law 77-2025, Being a By-law to Confirm the Proceedings of the October 21, 2025 Council Meeting  
• By-law 80-2025, Being a By-law to Amend By-law 34-2019 (Appointment By-law)