Committee of the Whole Highlights - February 4, 2025
Kawartha Lakes – The following are highlights of the Committee of the Whole meeting on February 4, 2025.
The meeting can be viewed in full on our YouTube channel.
All recommendations made at Committee of the Whole will return to Regular Council for review and/or adoption on February 18, 2025.
Growth Management Strategy presentation
Potential areas for new development have been identified in the Growth Management Strategy (GMS) to guide future decision making for Official Plans. The GMS is a land ‘budget,’ not a planning document. It shows how much land is expected to be needed in the future and identified potential locations for urban lands and employment lands.
The GMS was created using a high/recommended growth scenario to project population growth, housing and employment in the designated growth areas. Key growth estimates for 2051 are as follows:
- 130,000 population
- 40,600 jobs
- 48,900 housing units
Surpluses of urban lands exist in Lindsay and Omemee, while there is an undersupply in Bobcaygeon and Fenelon Falls. Opportunities exist for expansion of Employment Lands in Lindsay.
The GMS task force has successfully completed its work and will now be dissolved.
The recommendation is that Council accept the report and be endorsed as stated, and included in the City’s Official Plan review. The report will be brought to Council at the next Regular Council meeting.
View the Growth Management Strategy Report brought to Council.
View the Growth Management Strategy.
Water and Wastewater Servicing and Capacity Master Plan presentation
The 2025 Water and Wastewater Servicing and Capacity Master Plan Study Completion report presents the City of Kawartha Lakes’ strategic framework for addressing growing demands on its water and wastewater infrastructure through 2051. Conducted by TYLin International Canada Inc., the study assesses capacity deficiencies, forecasts infrastructure needs based on the 2025 Growth Management Strategy, and aligns planning with environmental and financial sustainability goals.
The plan evaluates multiple servicing alternatives and recommends expanding and enhancing infrastructure, including treatment plants, pipelines, and storage facilities, with an estimated investment of $601 million for water and $488 million for wastewater upgrades largely funded by future development charges. Public consultations, regulatory reviews, and stakeholder input informed the study, ensuring alignment with environmental and municipal policies. The final Master Plan now awaits Council endorsement and the completion of the 30-day public review process as part of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Planning and Design process. The presentation was received and will return to Regular Council for review and/or adoption on February 18, 2025.
View the 2025 Water and Wastewater Servicing and Capacity Master Plan Study Completion report to Council.
Transportation Master Plan presentation
The 2025 Transportation Master Plan update for the City of Kawartha Lakes provides a long-term strategic framework to support anticipated growth in the municipality through 2051. Developed by Egis Canada Ltd., the study builds on previous transportation plans, incorporating updated growth projections and public input to guide infrastructure investments, road safety, and multimodal transportation development. Key recommendations include policy enhancements such as a Vision Zero Plan to eliminate traffic fatalities, updated traffic calming and speed limit policies, and an improved goods movement strategy. The plan outlines short, medium, and long-term infrastructure projects, including road expansions, traffic signal upgrades, and new crossings, with an estimated investment of over $72 million. The final Master Plan now awaits Council endorsement and the completion of the 30-day public review process as part of the Municipal Class Environmental Assessment (Class EA) Planning and Design process.
The presentation was received and will return to Regular Council for review and/or adoption on February 18, 2025.
View the Transportation Master Plan Update – Study Completion report to Council.
View the draft Transportation Master Plan.
Starter Company Plus Graduates
Mayor Elmslie presented certificates of completion to the graduates of the Starter Company PLUS 2024 cohort, honoring their achievements before Council and the public audience.
- Jamie Atherton – Saturday Scotch Designs
- Lindsay Browne - Footcare by Lindsay B
- Shannon Feir - Willow Organic Beauty Wellness and Laser Inc.
- Emily and Grace Forbes - BÉS Fifty Seven
- Paige Layle Hennekam – Paige Layle
- Gina Horswood - The Lady G Tattoos
- Danielle Hutchinson - Eye Love Lashes by Danielle
- Samuel Jenkinson - Sam Jenkinson Custom Woodworking
- Bill Kavanagh and Ken Shaw - CherryStone Landscaping and Construction Inc.
- Graeme Morrison – Morrison Music
- Sarah Newhouse - Sarah's Mobile Foot Care
- Jeremy Stuart – SCC Builds
- Shaun Toutant - Woods Avenue Digital
- Kyla Vitek - Kyla Vitek Jewellery
Memorandums
Councillor Warren brought the Memorandum Regarding Support of Requests for the Redistribution of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax and GST to Council. In November 2024, the Town of Aurora created a resolution to request the redistribution of some of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax as well as GST on property transactions to municipalities. With municipalities across the province facing growing infrastructure needs and costs, the redistribution of a portion of the Provincial Land Transfer Tax from the province and GST on property transactions from the federal government would offer municipalities a source of sustainable revenue for funding local infrastructure projects without adding further tax burdens on residents or homebuyers.
The memo recommends that the City of Kawartha Lakes support the Town of Aurora’s resolution and send the recommendation to the Prime Minister, the Premier of Ontario, the Ontario Minister of Finance, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, Jamie Schmale MP, Laurie Scott MPP, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO). The motion was to move as printed and it passed.
Next Council meeting
Council will return for a Regular Council meeting on February 18, 2025 at 1pm.
Public attendance in Council Chambers is welcome in the public gallery on the main floor, and overflow seating is available in the Victoria Room on the second floor. Please note that no video and/or audio recording is permitted in Council Chambers during meetings.
The Regular Council meeting will be broadcast live on the City’s YouTube Channel as well as Cogeco cable television. A recording of the meeting will also be available on Cable Cable channel 26 and Rogers Ignite channel 548 at 1pm on the Sunday that follows the Tuesday meeting.
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Contact Us
Kawartha Lakes
P.O. Box 9000, 26 Francis Street
Lindsay, ON, K9V 5R8
Telephone: 705-324-9411
Toll free at 1-888-822-2225
After-hours emergencies: 1-877-885-7337
