Highlights from the Jan. 15 Council Meeting

Woodstock – The first Council meeting of 2026 got underway on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Planning Reports

Several planning items were on the agenda, including applications to amend the Official Plan and zoning bylaw for a portion of the former golf course lands south of Juliana Drive. The amendments would permit high-density residential development with a minimum of 150 new residential units on the land, which is currently owned by the City. Council voted to defer the zone change application and recommend deferring the Official Plan amendment application to provide an opportunity to include a childcare centre.

In 2025, Council approved a Childcare Promotion and Support Policy to help address the lack of available spaces in Woodstock. The policy requires Council to consider opportunities to create new licensed spaces when the City is selling vacant non-industrial land, selling a surplus building, adding an addition to an existing building or constructing a new building.

Safe and Well Oxford Plan Update

Council approved the updated Safe and Well Oxford Community Safety and Well-Being (CSWB) plan. Municipalities in Ontario that provide police services are required by legislation to develop and update a CSWB every four years. The purpose of the plan is to improve the safety and well-being of community members by defining and addressing priority risks and creating a shared framework for collaboration between government, agencies and other partners.

The Safe and Well Oxford plan was endorsed by all eight area municipalities in 2021, with Oxford County leading the implementation. In 2025, the County began the process to review and update the plan based on data analysis and engagement with partners, stakeholders and members of the community. The updated plan identifies six priority areas:

• Mental Health and Well-Being
• Housing for All
• People and Belonging
• Substance Use and Addictions
• Gender Based Violence
• Affordability and Economic Stability

Other key changes include a new full-time Community Safety and Wellbeing Coordinator and foundational values to support and guide implementation, as well as changes to the governance model. The draft of the updated plan can be found in the agenda for the meeting. Once it has been endorsed by all the area municipalities, the approved plan will be available online at www.safewelloxford.ca

Acting Mayor for 2026

Councillor Schadenberg was appointed acting mayor for a term of Jan. 16 through Nov. 14, 2026. The acting mayor is elected by Council at the beginning of each year to serve in place of the mayor when the mayor is absent, unable or unwilling to perform the duties of the role. Last year, Council approved the establishment of a new Deputy Mayor – County Councillor position which will take effect at the start of the 2026 – 2030 term. This new role will eliminate the need to appoint an acting mayor going forward.

Notice of Motion — Illegal Dumping

Councillor Martin put forward a notice of motion to direct staff to prepare a report on the issue of illegal dumping in Woodstock, clarify the City’s jurisdiction and authority in addressing legal dumping, and provide possible recommendations and strategies to proactively address the issue. The motion will be discussed at the Feb. 5, 2026, Council meeting.

For more information about the items above, or any of the other topics discussed during the council meeting, visit www.cityofwoodstock.ca/agendasandminutes. Council meetings are live streamed on the City’s YouTube channel and recordings of the meetings are also posted online following the meetings.