Southgate Regular Council — Wednesday, September 2, 2026
Highway 10 Official Plan Amendment — Council unanimously approved forwarding a comments package on a joint OPA with Shelburne examining whether lands at Highway 10 should be incorporated into the Dundalk settlement area. Staff have not yet issued a recommendation; the County must rule first. At Councillor Martin’s request, the comments will include a retail impact study requirement, framed neutrally as an assessment of effects on downtown revitalization — after Martin flagged that the large commercial component could support a Walmart-scale retailer. Staff will also require the proponent to submit a concept site plan addressing parking, access, and housing form before the process advances. The Ministry of Transportation has identified dual turn lanes at Highway 10 as an eventual requirement, but traffic studies place that threshold at approximately 2032. The southern portion of the lands remains under a Ministerial Zoning Order; the proponent’s most recent submission was deemed incomplete by the Ministry, with no new response received.
Hagen Street sidewalk and crossing guard — Council unanimously approved a new sidewalk on the south side of Hagen Street adjacent to the school, funded entirely through investment project budget savings. Scope covers sidewalk construction, road markings, signage, and a school crossing guard through end of 2026. Staff will coordinate a police patrol on Hagen Street during the first week of operation to enforce new signage. Multiple councillors praised staff for moving ahead of the September school-year start.
Fire suppression cost-sharing — ABS Machining — Council unanimously approved amending a decades-old cost-sharing agreement with ABS Machining (formerly Trimtrends) for the municipal fire suppression system serving their facility. The project — estimated at approximately $76,440 total, split 50/50 — replaces diesel pumps with a new electric pump station. Staff and the CAO underscored the arrangement’s importance given the building has no independent compliant fire system. Council noted that if the property is sold, the new owner will inherit the contract obligations.
Dundalk surplus land — second extension — Council unanimously approved a second contract extension for 2821921 Ontario Inc. on a landlocked surplus Dundalk parcel, after delays tied to GRCA regulatory timelines and a family matter. The development proposal includes roughly 10% affordable units, with conditions running 10 years from occupancy permit.
Conflict of interest — One councillor declared a conflict on Item 14 (a litigation or potential dispute matter) and again during the closed session, citing proximity of the affected lands to their home per a prior ethics commissioner opinion.
Calendar and other business — Council accepted added Committee of Adjustment and Public Planning meeting dates in October and December to handle elevated application volumes ahead of the election year. A traffic-calming resolution from Clear View Township was amended to redirect to Southgate’s local MPP, seeking provincial funding for speed-reduction measures.