Highlights from the March 16 Council Meeting
Woodstock – At their meeting Thursday evening, Council approved the City’s 2023 Revenue Fund Budget. Also on the agenda were the following items:
Support for New Residential Development
Council voted in support of an Official Plan Amendment and draft plan of subdivision for a new residential development in south-west Woodstock. The proposed development includes 429 single detached homes, 230 townhouses and future high density residential as well as a neighbourhood park. The matter now goes back to County Council for consideration and once the Official Plan Amendment is passed the project will move into the detailed design phase.
Asset Management
In November 2022, the City asked residents for input about some of the core services the City provides to help staff understand more about current service levels and what is important to the public about the City’s core infrastructure assets like its road network, bridges and culverts and stormwater network. Staff shared the results of the consultation with Council, which will be used to establish a baseline in the development of the City’s future Asset Management Plans in accordance with provincial legislation.
A second survey will be available later this spring asking for feedback on some of the City’s other assets including their recreational and administrative facilities. Staff’s presentation can be found at www.letstalkwoodstock.ca
Pop-up Patios
Council also approved a recommendation to adopt the Pop-up Patio Program on a permanent basis. Introduced in 2020 as a way to meet the province’s physical distancing requirements, the program allows restaurants in the downtown to operate outdoor patios on municipal properties. Downtown restaurants will be able to continue operating these outdoor patios from April 15 – Oct. 31 each year (subject to them acquiring the appropriate permits).
Fireworks
In recent years, members of Council and City staff have received a growing number of complaints from residents about the frequency, time, location and impacts of people setting off personal firework displays in Woodstock. Council directed staff to bring back a report summarizing the details of these complaints as well as the issues of non-compliance with the City’s by-law. The report will also include a review of actions taken by other municipalities to combat similar concerns. Currently in Woodstock, fireworks are only permitted on Victoria Day, Canada Day and Diwali from dusk until 11 p.m.
If you would like more information about these, or any of the other topics discussed during the 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.
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