Kincardine Regular Council — Wednesday, August 12, 2026
Secondary Plan for Inverheiron and the Lakeshore referred to staff — Council voted to refer a proposal from the Philosophers Wool Environmental Preserve (PEP) to staff for a future report, following a delegation by PEP Managing Director Tessa Girling, Ms. McFadgin, and planner Dr. Paul Kraling. PEP is seeking council endorsement to prepare a Secondary Plan for the Inverheiron and Lakeshore area, citing accelerating development pressure and the region’s natural, cultural, and heritage features. The group has secured a verbal collaboration with the University of Guelph’s School of Environmental Design and Rural Development, with graduate planning students expected to support municipal staff at no cost, and has identified funding sources including the Rural Ontario Development Program and FCM Green Municipal Funds. Mayor confirmed the instrument would be a local official plan amendment, not a county-level process. Councillor Blackwell requested staff also evaluate a Community Planning Permit System as an alternative. The motion to refer was moved by Councillor Pranger, seconded by Councillor Stewart; carried. The process was flagged as likely taking one to three years.
Wastewater lagoon aeration restart planned for September 7 — Manager Mark O’Leary delivered a requested historical update on Kincardine’s wastewater treatment lagoons. The aeration system has been offline and staff plan to bring both blowers online simultaneously around September 7–8, an approach not previously attempted at a sustained pace. The day after restart, staff plan to introduce sodium nitrate — also a first for the facility — to aid treatment and reduce odors. Significant odors are expected; timing was chosen to avoid long weekends and adjacent soccer tournaments. Staff will collect raw influent and splitter-box samples to track treatment performance. Councillor Stewart raised concern that the lagoon system cost over $1 million and may not have functioned as designed from the start, and suggested future capital contracts include a performance security bond. The sewer reserve fund was confirmed to hold sufficient funds for required expenditures without borrowing. Staff noted any new spending direction in an election year must flow through the incoming council’s budget process.
By-laws passed — By-law 2026-091 (Restricted Acts Delegation of Power) and By-law 2026-092 (confirming by-law) were each read three times and passed.
Community notes — Canada Day fireworks are rescheduled to August 15, weather permitting. The All Wheels skate and BMX park, credited to the Lions Club, opens Sunday with demonstrations and free giveaways.