Southgate Regular Council — Wednesday, October 7, 2026
12-unit townhouse fails; OLT referral expected A rezoning application to permit a 12-unit stacked townhouse condominium at 271 Main Street East, Dundalk (applicants Kale and Ridge Barnes) failed on a 3–3 recorded vote — Councillors Rice and Ferguson and Deputy Mayor Dobrin opposed; the motion was lost. Staff advised council immediately afterward that under provincial regulation it must pass a written explanation for the refusal, noting the matter will almost certainly proceed to the Ontario Land Tribunal. Council recorded the three dissenting reasons: too many units for the lot size, traffic and pedestrian safety concerns, and worries over snow storage and parking overflow into adjacent commercial properties. A separate amendment directing staff to advise Grey County to hold an additional public planning meeting on the associated condominium application carried unanimously. A motion to require a developer-funded crosswalk on Main Street died for want of a seconder.
Keppel Street facility concept design RJ Burnside and Associates presented an early-stage concept for the township’s recently purchased 5 Keppel Street property in Dundalk — a 31,000 sq ft main building proposed to house new municipal offices, a public works garage, and a fire hall across three functional zones. No cost estimates were provided. CAO Jim Wilhar said order-of-magnitude figures will follow once concepts clear key design checks. Fire Chief Derek told council the decision is binary: renovate the current station or move; the existing building could require replacement again within 10–15 years regardless. Council received the report.
Part Lot Control extension Council approved 4–1 (Rice opposed) an extension of the Part Lot Control By-law for the Flat O Phase 11 subdivision, permitting the developer to proceed with individual unit sales without committee-of-adjustment delays.
Parochial school rezoning approved A site-specific zoning amendment passed to permit a horse-and-buggy community school on a 0.8-hectare parcel on County Road 14. Site plan approval and a developer-funded flashing school zone sign are required.
Communities in Bloom Southgate scored 791/1,000 in the 2026 provincial evaluation, earning a four-bloom rating for the third consecutive year and a special mention for the Dundalk Town Hall project.
OPP levy and provincial call Council approved Southgate’s $3,311 share of the 2026 Grey-Bruce OPP Detachment Board deficit and passed an amended resolution calling on the Solicitor General to fund both the provincial and First Nations portions of the joint board’s administrative levy, noting costs have nearly tripled versus prior individual boards.
Other business Tax arrears fell from roughly $5.5 million to $2.75 million. Three HR and legislative policies passed, including a Line Fences Act opt-out by-law. Council directed staff to report on the feasibility of local rabies vaccination clinics by Q1 2027.