Regular Council Meeting Highlights – March 24, 2026

Kawartha Lakes – The following are highlights from the Regular Council Meeting on February 24, 2026.

The meeting can be viewed in full on our YouTube channel.

The Regular Council minutes from February 24, 2026 were received and adopted.

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Committee of the Whole – March 10, 2026

The Minutes of the Committee of the Whole Meeting of March 10, 2026 were received and adopted as printed.

Extractions from Committee of the Whole

9.3.5 Request for Development Charges to be Waived for a Proposed Industrial Development

A deputation was made at the Committee of the Whole asking to waive development charges in a particular application. Council asked staff to report back by the end of June, summarizing the application and outlining the potential financial impact on taxpayers.

9.3.11 Procurement Policy Update

Council asked staff to get a legal opinion on how the Ontario Discriminatory Business Practices Act applies to giving preference to local suppliers in a procurement context. The intent of Council is to be able to source locally (Kawartha Lakes, Ontario or Canada) wherever feasible. Staff are to report back to Council by the end of June.

9.3.30 Request for Support - Soil Health Report

Council supports the recommendations in the Soil Health Report. They will ask federal and provincial governments to consider these ideas and act quickly to protect soil. They also want local staff to include soil protection in future plans about land use, economic growth, and agriculture. Finally, this decision will be shared with key government leaders and organizations across Canada and Ontario.

9.3.31 Proposed Heritage Listing of 173 Lindsay Street South, Town of Lindsay

Council asked that the Heritage Committee wait until the property is sold before moving forward with the proposed heritage listing. The matter will be brought back to Council when sold or by the end of June, 2027.

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Planning Advisory Committee – March 11, 2026

All recommendations from the Planning Advisory Committee were adopted as printed in the minutes.

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Consent Matters – Extracted Items

11.1.2 Real Property Acquisition Policy

A motion was made that Appendix B of the proposed policy be amended to include wetlands, woodlots, significant tree cover, and lands that provide connectivity between a navigable water body and other public lands or lands with similar environmental features thereon (wildlife corridors). The extra additions widens the definition of environmental lands so they require further study before development. The rest of the policy remained the same. Council supported the amendment and approved the report.

11.1.4 Dock Encroachment Policy

Council approved the updated dock encroachment policy with an amendment clarifying that any Trent-Severn Waterway (TSW) licensing costs are to be paid by the individual dock owner.

11.1.5 Advisory Committees of Council

Council discussed the report and asked that it be returned to staff for further clarification of what options are possible for working groups and subcommittees of Council. An information report to address the council resolution CR025-003, Terms of Reference Update for Advisory Committees, Boards, and Task Forces, will be brought back to Council by the end of Q3.

11.1.10 Review of Council Computer System Policy

Staff will consult with members of Council about the proposed Council Computer System Policy to ensure it meets their needs, and return Council by the end of June with revisions to the proposed policy.

11.1.17 Request for Streetlight - Pigeon Lake Road and Fall's Bay Road

Councillor Warren excused herself from this extraction as she had a pecuniary interest.

Council supported the installation of permanent reflective signage at the intersection of Falls Bay Road and Pigeon Lake Road. A streetlight did not meet warranted criteria. Council made the decision after a resident petition and safety concerns were raised.

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Active Transportation Advisory Committee

New appointments were named to the Active Transportation Advisory Committee. The new members include:

William Steffler

Daryl Broadworth

Darryl James

Dr Ruth Wilson

Arthur Hornibrook

John Bush

Their terms will end November 14, 2026.

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Next Council Meeting

Council will return for Committee of the Whole on April 7, 2026 at 1pm.

Public attendance in Council Chambers is welcome. Regular and Committee of the Whole meetings will be broadcast live on the City’s YouTube Channel and on Cogeco cable television.

Please note that you can watch recordings of the City of Kawartha Lakes Regular Council Meetings on Cable Cable channel 26 and Rogers Xfinity channel 548 at 1pm on the Sunday that follows the Tuesday meeting.