Ice cream trucks may be rolling into Orillia – along with short-term rental regulations, a climate adaptation strategy – at the upcoming meeting of city council where politicians will be working through a 200-page agenda.
As extensive renovations are unfolding in the council chamber, Monday’s meeting will be held virtually, beginning at 1 p.m., and will be accessible via Rogers TV or the city’s YouTube channel.
At 1 p.m., things kick off with a public meeting in which council will be asked to consider the revised draft plan of subdivision from LIV Communities, 4501 Uhthoff Line, popularly known as the Inch Farm property.
The proposed 'redline revision' proposes an increase in the total number of units as follow:
- 39 single detached dwellings
- 15 townhouses with 16 foot frontages
- 107 townhouses with 20 foot frontages
- 190 condominium townhouses
The road connecting the east block and the west block has been removed, resulting in one fewer crossing of the environmental block
The overall size of the environmental block has increased from the 1993 plan.
Additional public and private parks have been incorporated through the development area, according to a report from LIV Communities.
This development has generated a lot of controversy due to its proximity to a wetland. Concerns about creek health and trout habitat were raised during an open house about the property in February of 2022.
When the regular meeting of council begins at 2 p.m., councillors will consider imposing regulations on short-term rental operators within Orillia, including a licensing system, along with a number of standards that will need to be upheld by operators.
Some of the suggested regulations include prohibiting more than 150 short term rentals within the city at any time, requiring proof of insurance – of at least $2 million – from operators, requiring a “responsible person” to deal with complaints 24/7, and imposing a demerit point system that could see licenses revoked once 15 demerit points have been accumulated.
Council will also consider permitting ice cream trucks on city streets, following an inquiry motion by Jeff Czetwezuk earlier this year.
Should the idea gain approval, city staff have recommended a number of regulations for the trucks, including signs that instruct others to watch for children, amber lights that flash when customers are being served, limits to where the trucks may operate and hours of operation, as well as business licenses.
The city may also begin pre-zoning lands in the ‘downtown area – central core intensification area,’ and within the ‘living area – intensification area’ to allow their maximum height restrictions without the zoning bylaw amendment process.
Although the height limit varies through these areas, a zoning bylaw amendment is currently required for developers seeking approval on projects greater than four storeys in height. As part of the process, council approval and a public meeting is required – but will not be if council approves the change.
City staff have recommended pre-zoning the lands to encourage more intensified development and meet the targets laid out in the province’s Growth Plan for the Greater Golden Horseshoe.
Council will consider whether to rename the esplanade, near the Legion, to Veterans Way, following a request from Army Navy Air Force Veterans in Canada.
City staff have recommended against the idea, as the esplanade was designed as a parking lot and does not meet the “minimal requirements of a municipal street.”
The 2022 budget will also be discussed Monday.
A report discussing the projected expenses for 2022 versus actual expenses shows the city had a $3.4 million surplus last year, although staff are still preparing for the city’s annual audit, and these figures could be subject to change.
After two years in development, council will also consider the recently completed Climate Change Adaptation Strategy, which was completed in June through the aid of the climate adaptation working group and numerous organizations.
The climate change adaptation strategy includes more than 27 actions and sub-actions related to tackling over 30 identified climate change vulnerabilities locally, which city staff say could help with implementing climate resiliency measures into its work.
Any projects that might arise from the plan would be included in budget discussions moving forward.
