HALDIMAND—The following items were discussed during a Council-in-Committee meeting on Tuesday, December 10, 2024. All items discussed are expected to be ratified at a follow up meeting on Monday, December 16.
Zoning amendment to rezone lands to residential in Cayuga
Council is considering a proposal to rezone lands for a home in Cayuga. If approved, it would see 7 Cayuga Street South change from a general commercial zone to a “Urban Residential Type 1-B – Holding (R1-B(H))” zone.
The change is being requested to allow for construction of a detached garage with a secondary suite located above the garage.
Staff recommend approval, noting, “Rezoning the subject lands will recognize the existing residential use of the subject lands, which are located in an existing residential neighbourhood, and permit a secondary suite on the subject lands, which is considered intensification that is supported by Provincial and County policy.”
Conservation Authorities 2025 Municipal Levies
Haldimand County Council got the proposed 2025 municipal levy for the three conservation authorities that operate within the municipality: Grand River Conservation Authority (GRCA), Long Point Region Conservation Authority (LPRCA), and Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority (NPCA).
GRCA has a proposed increase of 4.1% over last years’ levy, representing $7,923; LPRCA has an increase of 3.59% or $12,034 from 2024; and NPCA has the greatest jump of 14.42%, equaling a value of $23,304.
In 2024, Haldimand County paid $192,819 to GRCA, $335,443 to LPRCA, and $161,630 to NPCA.
The increases proposed by GRCA and LPRCA are considered minor and generally in keeping with annual increases in previous years.
However, the NPCA increase is a significant change from previous years, with the increase between 2023 and 2024 being just 1.14%. This increase is due to several unfunded budget priorities identified for 2025, including infrastructure upgrades, staffing resources (such as asset management plans, sustainable technologies, and digitization), and flood and erosion mitigation.
The total payable for all three conservation authorities is $733,152 in 2025.
Road closure and conveyance in Selkirk
Haldimand County received an offer to purchase a lane between Lots 5 and 6, located beside the applicant’s home at 910 Lakeshore Road in Selkirk. The offer was unsolicited.
On April 8, 2005, the previous property owner entered into an Encroachment Agreement with the County allowing part of a shed and deck attached to the house to encroach on the subject lands in perpetuity. The current applicant would like to purchase the subject lands so the previous agreement is no longer necessary.
The purchase price offered is “$11,000 plus HST plus costs of conveyance inclusive of Haldimand County’s legal fees.”
Staff say no internal staff, external agency, or neighbour concerns or objections were raised during the due diligence review.
As the offer for the subject property (0.09 acres) aligns with the County’s Vacant Land Values Chart, staff are recommending accepting the offer.
Haldimand OPP Board Terms of Reference being updated
Council received the Haldimand OPP Detachment Board Terms of Reference. The terms are to be referred to the OPP Detachment Board for further review and to the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation for input on shared costs regarding professional development.
This was prompted by changes in provincial law related to the governance structure of Police Services Boards. The new structure is based on the overall detachment area, rather than individual boards for each municipality.
The Haldimand OPP Detachment covers both Haldimand County and Mississaugas of the Credit.
The Terms of Reference are “general in nature and are intended to outline the working relationship between the communities represented and the Board. Specific policies and procedures are to be determined by the Board.”
