FoTTSA Reports on Tiny Council Meetings May 2025
SPECIAL MEETING of COUNCIL
PLANNING PUBLIC MEETING Tuesday May 6th, 2025
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, councillor Brunelle and Helowka present, councillor Walma virtually. Mayor Evans in the chair.
Jamie Robinson of MBHC Consulting presented on the development of the draft Dynamic Beach By-law. All relevant reports here.
Project History
● W.F. Baird Study – September 2005 – Review and Application of Dynamic Beach Criteria (results are still relevant)
● Aqua Solutions 5 Inc – Report dated March 1, 2023
● Interim Control By-law enacted – May 29, 2023
● Draft Dynamic Beach Management By-law – August 15, 2024
● Public Information Centre Meetings held; February 3 & 4, 2025
Shoreline By-law Permit Not Required
● Shoreline construction and/or shoreline alteration outside of the Shoreline Development Area (45 metres + from the 178 metre G.S.C. elevation of Georgian Bay)
● Relocation of sand without machinery due to seasonal wind-driven sand movement
● Landscaping and garden maintenance without machinery ● Removal of trees / shrubs where there is no excavation of the root system
● Temporary snow fencing
● Installation/maintenance of sewage systems
● Alterations to a building or structure as a result of an order issued under the Ontario Building Code Act by the Township Chief Building Official
● Temporary event tents
● Construction and/or site alteration directly related and required to implement a Township-issued building permit where permit was issued prior to date of enactment of Shoreline By-law
Class 1 Permit
● Annual relocation of sand using machinery due to seasonal wind-driven sand movement
● At-grade walkways one (1) metre or less in width.
● Excavating root system of three (3) or less trees where trees are smaller than 20 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) – measured at 1.4 metres above the ground.
● Excavating root system of shrubbery less than four (4) square metres in area.
● Removal and excavation of root system of a tree(s) identified in writing by a certified arborist, or equivalent, as having defects sufficient to significantly increase the likelihood that all or part of the tree will fall resulting in a risk of personal injury or property damage.
● Landscaping (other than sand relocation, tree or shrub root system removal) that requires heavy machinery (including removal of invasive species) (depending on scale and scope, may be a Class 2 Permit)
Class 1 (Planning/Building Code Act) Permit
● Any shoreline development that is currently regulated and reviewed for compliance with Zoning By law 22-075 (new, one-for-one replacement and/or expansions of dwellings, sheds, gazebos/pergolas, decks, hot tubs, pools etc.) where: ○ The development meets required minimum setbacks of Zoning By-law 22-075, or ○ The development has received Planning Act approval through a Minor Variance or Zoning By law Amendment for a reduced setback that has been supported through the submission of a coastal engineering study and has satisfied any Township-imposed conditions of approval.
● Buildings and/or structures that have been issued zoning compliance approval through a building permit application.
● Grading of property in conjunction with a Township-issued building permit where Township Lot and Grading Plan requirements have been satisfied, and Lot Grading Plan has been approved by Township.
● Buildings, structures, features, site alteration and/or grading required as a Township-imposed condition of approval of a Planning Act application; or as required by a Township /applicant executed Development Agreement
Class 2 Permit
● Repair or replace existing in-water erosion control feature on a one-for-one basis (materials, footprint, volume, location).
● Repair or replace existing retaining wall on a one-for-one basis (materials, footprint, volume, location).
● Repair or replace existing fence on a one-for-one basis (materials, footprint, height, location).
● Repair or replace existing standalone stairs/steps (i.e. concrete/wood/stone) on a one-for-one basis (materials, footprint, volume, location).
● Grading of property with machinery where a Lot Grading Plan has not been submitted or approved as part of a building permit (or other) application (depending on scale and scope of grading, may be a Class 3 Permit).
● Excavating root system of three (3) or more trees or excavating roots of any tree larger than 20 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) – measured at 1.4 metres above the ground).
● Excavating root system of shrubbery over 4 square metres in area with machinery.
● At-grade walkways over 1 metre in width and within 15 metres of the 178 G.S.C. elevation.
Class 3 Permit
● Expansion or significant alteration to the materials of existing in-water erosion control feature. ‘Significance’ of alteration assessed on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the Directors of Planning and Development and Public Works.
● Installation of new in-water erosion control feature.
● Expansion or significant alteration to the materials of existing retaining wall ‘Significance’ of alteration assessed on a case-by-case basis and at the discretion of the Directors of Planning and Development and Public Works.
● Installation of new retaining wall.
● Installation of new standalone stairs/steps (i.e. concrete/wood/stone).
● Re-grading of property that has potential to impact the location of the 178 metre G.S.C. elevation contour.
Key Comment Areas
● What area does the by-law apply to?
● Grandfathering of existing development
● In water works and the requirement for a permit
● Requirement for a permit for Shoreline Works
● Cost for a permit
● Need for a Coastal Engineering Study
Next Steps
● Consider comments from the Public Meeting.
● Deadline for Comments May 12th.
● Bring a By-law to Council for consideration at the May 26th Council Meeting.
The Public Meeting was then opened to deputations by the public alternating between those present and those on Zoom. Over 90% of the presentations were opposed to the by-law in its current form with much of the reasoning already provided to council and staff.
Councillor Helowka noted that by-laws were required to address the 1% of residents who are not good stewards of the environment.
Council will be holding a meeting on May 26th at 2:00 pm to discuss moving forward with the by-law.
REGULAR MEETING of COUNCIL Wednesday May 14th, 2025
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors Brunelle, Walma and Helowka were in attendance at the meeting. Mayor Evans in the chair.
MOTIONS ARISING FROM CONFIDENTIAL/CLOSED SESSIONMoved that the final draft of the Citizen Code of Conduct be presented in open session at the June 4, 2025 Committee of the Whole meeting. Carried 5-0.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Retirement of Sue Walton – Director, Legislative Services and Clerk. Mayor Evans acknowledged the great contributions of Ms. Walton as a staff member since 2008 and outlined many of her achievements. On behalf of the council and community he wished her well in her future endeavours and presented her with a token gift of flowers.
New Administration Centre Update. Tim Leitch, Director of Public Worksadvised that the site is now under construction and the public will be subject to trespass charges if in non-compliance with the signage. Tree clearing is complete, and the site will be grubbed prior to start of construction in September.
Mayor’s Charity Golf Tournament. Deputy Mayor Miskimins outlined the event scheduled for June 5th at the Orr Lake Golf Club and advised that 12 charities will benefit from the profits. Councillor Helowka offered to contribute a paycheck to the tournament in lieu of the major sponsor withdrawing its support and challenged fellow council members to do likewise. Councillor Walma offered to make it an even $1,000.00 and others followed suit. Mayor Evans took the opportunity to again admonish FoTTSA for its withdrawal as lead sponsor and his feeling that its actions were a vindictive act.
DEPUTATIONS to COUNCIL – SCHEDULED
Diane Leblovic acknowledged the tremendous work by Sue Walton and thanked her on behalf of the residents of Tiny.
Farlain Lake Water Levels. Rosemary Allen, a 70-year resident of Farlain Lake outlined the problem of increased water levels in the lake eliminating the beach areas.
Cate Root, Habitat for Humanity Ontario Gateway North – Housing in North Simcoe. Cate Rootoutlined their proposed housing initiative which would see the construction of approximately 5 mini rental homes on a residential lot. They are of prefabricated construction with efficient heat pump technology, meeting all OBC standards. They are less than 500 sq ft, one-bedroom accessible units which provide housing for lower-waged workers at approximately $800 per month.
REPORTS of CONSULTANTS or THIRD PARTIES
Adopting/Receiving of Minutes of Previous Meetings
04 07 2025 Township of Tiny Administrative Centre Committee Meeting Minutes. Councillor Brunelle asked for more information on the project loan from Infrastructure Ontario (IO). Director LeBlond advised that it is still being reviewed by IO but will be a variable rate loan in the 4% interest range.
COMMITTEE of the WHOLE MEETING Wednesday May 14th, 2025
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor and councillors Helowka, Brunelle and Walma in attendance. Deputy Mayor Miskimins in the chair.
REPORTS of CONSULTANTS or THIRD PARTIES
PSD Citywide – Asset Management: Delivering Affordable Levels of Service. Israr Ahmad presented on Ontario Regulation 588/17 and the Township of Tiny’s asset management obligations. The presentation outlined the importance of understanding and maintaining levels of service for infrastructure assets. Staff recommended maintaining current levels of service in the short term, as this offers financial stability while the Township continues to develop its asset management capacity. Significant progress has been made in data collection and condition assessments, but continued investment and improvement are required. Full report here.
STAFF REPORTS
Matters for Consideration
Verbal Update on Permissibility of Alcohol in Public Parks. Steve Harvey, Chief Municipal Law Enforcement Officerprovided an update on the permissibility of alcohol consumption in public parks. He explained that there are significant logistical and enforcement challenges with implementing such a by-law. By-law Enforcement Officers do not have the legislated authority to enforce it, and the OPP would also be limited in their ability to act without amendments to the Alcohol and Gaming Regulation and Public Protection Act. Additionally, the Township lacks the resources and infrastructure needed to effectively monitor compliance. Councillor Helowka noted that pilot programs in other municipalities have typically been implemented in areas with access to public transit.
The consensus was that the staff report should be completed to include policing enforcement costs, feasibility of a pilot project and what other municipalities are doing in this regard.
Corporate Services Report CS-FIN-007-25 – Level of Service and Lifecycle Cost Requirements for 2025 Asset Management Plan Update. Suggestions were presented on whether to increase, decrease, or maintain service level adjustments. The staff recommendation is to continue with current service levels and lifecycle costs, and the proposed asset management plan submission was approved.
Planning and Development Report PD-012-25 – Zoning By-law Amendment – 8144 Highway 93, Owner K. MacDonald (Roll No. 1-117-00) The purpose of this application is to permit either the gift and antique shop or a residential use on the property. No new buildings or additions to the existing building are proposed. Notices of Application and Statutory Public Meeting were circulated on September 12, 2024 and October 11, 2024, respectively.Council approved the application going forward.
Recreation Report REC-006-25 – Township of Tiny Citizen Award Procedures Staff proposed a standardized and transparent process for the administration of the Township’s Citizen of the Year Awards. The Township currently hosts several annual awards recognizing outstanding contributions from residents. Staff initiated a review of municipal best practices and internal workflows with the intent to improve consistency, transparency, and efficiency across all aspects of the awards process. The proposed framework outlines defined criteria, clear responsibilities, and an annual timeline to guide staff, Council, and community members.
Council approved the proposed procedures.
Recreation Report REC-007-25 – RFQ Results for obtaining a consultant to complete a rework of the Township’s Local Aging Plan The Township was awarded a $10,000 grant from the Simcoe County Age-Friendly Program in October 2024 to support the rework of the Township’s Local Aging Plan. An additional $10,000 installment was secured in early 2025 to enhance the project scope, enabling a more robust review and ensuring the updated plan reflects evolving community needs and service demands for residents aged 55 and over.
The proposed project aligns with Council’s strategic goals and ongoing efforts to enhance services for older adults. J Consulting Group has demonstrated relevant experience and strong regional knowledge. Their submission meets all RFQ requirements and offers an attainable, community-informed framework to guide aging-related services into the future. Staff confidently recommend awarding the $20,000 contract to J Consulting Group to complete the 2025 rework of the Township’s Local Aging Plan.
Council received the report and approved moving forward as recommended.
COMMITTEES
Resignation of Don Chapman from Accessibility Advisory Committee and Gail Chapman and Don Chapman from Senior Advisory Committee. This couple are moving from the area, and their great efforts were acknowledged by Council.
Accessibility Advisory Committee Resolution – Accessibility Signage at Nicole Blvd. The committee requested Council direct staff to rephrase the wording of the Nicole Boulevard accessibility signage to indicate that the Accessible entrance is available at Trew Avenue which is two kilometres away.Staff were directed to accommodate this request.
COMMUNICATIONS
Request your AMO Delegation Meetings AMO Conference – City of Ottawa August 17-20, 2025, The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MMAH) has opened their request for delegation process for AMO 2025. Registered AMO Conference delegates can request meetings with the provincial government through this process. The deadline for submitting requests is Friday May 30th, at 5:00 PM EST.
After much discussion it was recommended that inland lake water quality monitoring be addressed and that the CAO include any other issues he deems appropriate.
Request for Proclamation May 5-11, 2025, as Children’s Mental Health Week. Ms. Dominika Zapolnik, on behalf of New Path, requested the Township proclaim May 5-11, 2025, as Children’s Mental Health Week, and encouraged all residents to wear green, engage in meaningful conversations, and take action to support the mental health and well-being of children, youth, and families in our community.
Mayor Evans noted that the event has already passed and questioned the value of doing it in hindsight. New Path to be notified by staff of the timeline requests.
NEW BUSINESS
Training on OMERS. Councillor Walma requested that OMERS be requested to come in and present to staff an update on the pension plan. Council directed staff to arrange.
SPECIAL COUNCIL MEETING
OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENT, ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT and SHORELINE BY-LAW Monday May 26th, 2025
The Mayor, Deputy Mayor, councillors Brunelle, Walma and Helowka present. Mayor Evans in the chair.
DELEGATIONS
Robin Pereira addressed Council in support of the proposed Shoreline By-law, citing environmental concerns, climate change, dune preservation, and water filtration. She noted recent shoreline development has damaged dunes and obstructed views. She advised that the Ministry of Natural Resources recently could not act due to the absence of municipal by-laws. She highlighted the negative impact of groins on natural shoreline processes and water quality and expressed concern about the cost of maintaining such structures being borne by all taxpayers.
Anna Falir expressed her opposition to the proposed Shoreline By-law, while acknowledging environmental concerns, she opposed the 45-metre regulation, as it encompasses nearly her entire property. She wishes to undertake activities such as paving a driveway without requiring a permit, as she believes such actions do not impact the shoreline.
Kelly Falizon expressed opposition to the proposed Shoreline By-law, stating that strong regulations have always existed and that the by-law is overly restrictive. She expressed concern that weaknesses in existing processes should be addressed instead of introducing such a by-law, which she believes negatively impacts property values and the overall tax base.
Jessie Garland expressed concern that the proposed Shoreline By-law does not protect municipal properties, including dune areas and vegetation. She requested stronger protections, noting that the by-law would not prevent a future Council from removing existing features such as the boardwalk in the Bluewater Beach area.
Helena Regenbogen addressed Council in opposition to the proposed Shoreline By-law, stating that vegetation previously cleared from the beach to make it usable, would no longer be permitted under the by-law. She expressed concern that the by-law applies from the highwater mark rather than the low water mark, despite natural water level cycles. She questioned how this affects her deeded property rights and felt the by-law infringes on private beach rights, favouring public access over private use.
Cody Morden expressed opposition to the proposed Shoreline By-law, stating that it is not ready for approval due to unresolved issues. He noted a lack of clarity on dynamic shoreline definitions, policy details, and Council consensus. Concerns were raised about management responsibilities, staff allocation, and potential impacts on property owners. He urged Council to delay the vote and continue developing a sound, comprehensive policy.
Frank Dunnigan expressed support for a 15-metre setback from the 178m contour line, stating that most infractions have occurred within this area and further regulation beyond that is unnecessary. He raised concerns about potential lawsuits if the by-law is too restrictive, noting that regulating within 15 metres would likely result in greater public acceptance. He opposed structures such as groins and boathouses but supported permit requirements within a 15- metre setback.
Jamie Robinson, MHBC Planning, provided a summary of the report and addendum regarding the Shoreline Management Official Plan Amendment (OPA), Zoning By-law Amendment (ZBA), and new Shoreline By-law. He clarified that the Shoreline By-law is a new document, while the OPA and ZBA align existing by-laws with it. The proposed by-law allows reasonable property activities without a permit and addresses site alterations such as fences, retaining walls, and sand movement. Options 3 and 4 retain building permitting under the Zoning By-law. The 45-metre regulation stems from the Provincial Policy Statement (PPS) starting from the 178m contour line.
J. Robinson outlined the public meeting process and public information centres (PICs) held to date. In response to questions, he explained the by-law(s) can be amended if the PPS changes, or on an as-needed basis, and only the OPA and ZBA require public planning processes. Survey requirements depend on property changes and proximity to regulated areas.
The members of Council discussed dynamic shoreline definitions, survey validity, permit exemptions, and setbacks.
Councillor Dave Brunelle moved that the MHBC Planning Report regarding Shoreline Management OPA, ZBA and Shoreline By-law and corresponding addendum, dated May 26, 2025, be received and that Council supports an alternative option 5 to the proposed Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, and Shoreline By-law, that provides for a 15 metre Shoreline Development Area extending in-land from the 178 metre G.S.C elevation of Georgian Bay.
After a recorded vote the motion was not approved 4-1. Councillor Brunelle in favour.
It was then moved by Councillor Steffen Walma, seconded by Deputy Mayor Sean Miskimins, that the MHBC Planning Report regarding Shoreline Management OPA, ZBA and Shoreline By-law and corresponding addendum, dated May 26, 2025, be received and that Council herein supports Option #3 of the proposed Official Plan Amendment, Zoning By-law Amendment, and Shoreline By-law and that staff be directed to report back to the Committee of the Whole, following a 6-month period, regarding a status update on the implemented by-laws.
After a recorded vote the motion was approved 4-1. Councillor Brunelle opposed.
By-laws
The following by-laws were then presented for adoption:
By-law 25-035 Being a By-law to adopt Official Plan Amendment Number 5 to the Official Plan of the Township of Tiny with respect to Shoreline Management.
By-law 25-039 Being a By-law to amend By-law 22-075 as amended, being the Zoning By-law for the Corporation of the Township of Tiny with respect to the introduction of regulations for Shoreline Management
By-law 25-040 Being a By-law to regulate Construction of Buildings and Structures and Site Alteration on lands adjacent to Georgian Bay in the Township of Tiny
By-law 25-038 Being a by-law to Amend By-law 25-013 to establish fees or charges for services or activities provided or done by or on behalf of the Corporation of the Township of Tiny
By-law 25-007 Being a By-law to Delegate Routine or Minor Powers and Duties of Council to Officers and Employees of The Corporation of the Township of Tiny and to Repeal By-law 22-055
The by-laws were passed by recorded vote 4-1. Councillor Brunelle opposed.