Below is a summary of key items discussed at the Municipality of Port Hope Council Meeting and Committee of the Whole Meeting, held on Tuesday, December 15, 2020. The full agenda and staff reports are available on the Council Portal. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this meeting was held electronically via video conference.

Council Meeting Highlights

2021 Budget approved

At their final meeting of the year, Municipality of Port Hope Council approved the 2021 Operating and Capital budgets. $4.2M of the overall budget is dedicated to projects, initiatives, and services that the community has requested, both through the Municipality’s strategic planning process, as well as throughout the proposed 2021 budget consultation process.

Read the 2021 Budget media release for full details.

65 Ward Street – Southbridge agreement

Council authorized the extension of the agreement with Southbridge Care Homes Inc. regarding the property at 65 Ward Street until December 31, 2021.

On September 17, 2019, Council executed By-law 69/2019, authorizing an agreement between the Municipality of Port Hope and Southbridge Health Care for the development of a long-term healthcare facility in Port Hope at 65 Ward Street. The agreement was predicated on the Municipality’s prior intention to designate Southbridge’s 65 Ward Street property pursuant to the Ontario Heritage Act to protect this heritage site.

The Municipality agreed to withdraw the “Notice of Intention to Designate” for the Southbridge property at 65 Ward Street, only after all required municipal planning and development processes and approvals have been undertaken and secured for the development.

The agreement was originally set to expire at the end of 2020, however, representatives from Southbridge contacted the Municipality and identified that the required Ministry of Long-Term Care approval process for this project has taken far longer than expected, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Future potential use of George Hamilton School

Council directed staff to undertake a public process inviting interested citizens and groups to submit proposals for the future use of the former George Hamilton Public School and property.

The public engagement process is intended to enable Council to gauge the direction and interest of the community on the future use of the building. Council has directed staff to undertake the necessary negotiations required to acquire the former school property.

Arboretum development

Council approved the development of an arboretum along sections of the Molson’s Mill Trail and Riverside Railway Trail, located on the west side of the Ganaraska River from Corbett’s Dam south to Barrett Street.

Additionally, Council authorized the launch of a community fundraising campaign in support of this effort to be launched. Details of the campaign will be communicated early in the New Year.

Committee of the Whole Meeting Highlights

Local Planning Appeal Tribunal update

Staff in the Planning division provided a report to Council with an update on the status of the Local Planning Appeal Tribunal (LPAT) that has been filed regarding the Penryn Mason Homes Phase 5 Subdivision.

The report provides an overview of the appeal letter and next steps in the appeal process, an update on technical reviews completed to date regarding the Heritage Impact Assessment and Environmental Impact Study Peer Review, and next steps in the LPAT process. A copy of the appeal letter has been posted on the municipal website and is also attached to the report.

Meeting Minutes and Videos

Minutes from the Council and Committee of the Whole meetings will be available pending approval at the next Council meeting on Tuesday, January 4, 2021, at which point they will become the official record of the meeting.

Recordings of the December 15, 2020 Regular Council meeting and Committee of the Whole meeting are available at porthope.ca/council.