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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMay 20, 2026 - Special Council Special Council Meeting Minutes Electronic Meeting May 20, 2026 06:00 PM Chair: Mayor Ashe Present: Mayor K. Ashe Councillor M. Brenner Councillor S. Butt Councillor L. Cook Councillor M. Nagy - Joined at 6:06 p.m Councillor D. Pickles Councillor L. Robinson Regrets: None Also Present: M. Carpino - Chief Administrative Officer K. Bentley - Director, City Development & CBO P. Bigioni – Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor S. Boyd - Fire Chief L. Gibbs - Director, Community Services K. Heathcote - Director, City Infrastructure R. Holborn - Director, Engineering Services F. Jadoon - Director, Economic Development & Strategic Projects S. Karwowski - Director, Finance & Treasurer R. Perera – (Acting) City Clerk C. Rose - Chief Planner P. Wirch - Principal Planner, Policy Z. Khan - Senior Project Manager, Special Projects, Economic Development R. Kumar - Senior Financial Analyst - Development Charges & Capital Management J. Currie - Legislative Coordinator 1 Call to Order/Roll Call The (Acting) City Clerk certified that all Members of Council were present and participating electronically, save and except Councillor Nagy. Disclosure of Interest 2.1 Councillor Pickles – May 14, 2026 Special Council Meeting Agenda Item 3.1 Confidential Memorandum from the Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor, Re: Acquisition of Frenchman's Bay A conflict of interest was declared under the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act with respect to the May 14, 2026 Special Council Meeting Agenda Item 3.1 Confidential Memorandum from the Director, Corporate Services & City Solicitor regarding the acquisition of Frenchman's Bay, on the basis of the involvement of an organization that he was affiliated with. Councillor Pickles did not attend the Special In Camera Council Meeting on May 14, 2026 and did not take part in the discussion or vote on this matter. Delegations Resolution #999/26 Moved By Councillor Robinson Seconded By Councillor Butt That the rules of procedure be suspended to allow an additional delegation who registered after the deadline. Carried on a Two-Thirds Vote P. Wirch appeared before Council via electronic connection and provided a summary of the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan and advised that the lands were set aside for development through the adoption of the Envision Durham Official Plan in 2023, which was approved by the province in 2024. P. Wirch noted that the City-initiated secondary plan was intended to guide future development, including the planning of parks, community facilities, affordable housing, and other supporting infrastructure and further advised that additional technical studies and future approvals would be required to be brought before Council before development could proceed. P. Wirch concluded by noting that staff were continuing discussions respecting a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) which would lead to future consultation protocols designed to lead to meaningful engagement for the next stages of planning and engineering work. 1. 2. 3. Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 2 James Blair, Pickering Resident Re: Report PLN 08-26 Official Plan Amendment OPA 25-003P City-initiated Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Updated Staff Report: Responses and Revisions to Report PLN 04-26 J. Blair, Pickering Resident appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 08-26. With the aid of a PowerPoint presentation, J. Blair raised concerns that the consultation process with the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN) had been ineffective, that provincial policy requirements for a technical agricultural impact assessment had not been met, that there had not been proper engagement with the agricultural community, and noted the potential for large tax increases to Pickering residents. Resolution #1000/26 Moved By Councillor Cook Seconded By Councillor Robinson That the rules of procedure be suspended to allow for an additional two minutes for the delegation. Carried J. Blair concluded their delegation with concerns regarding the inadequate notice provided to residents and advised that additional engagement was required prior to moving forward with the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan. A brief question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and J. Blair regarding whether the delegate was aware of the specifics of the circumstances surrounding MSIFN's involvement and position on the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan. Helen Brenner, Pickering Resident Re: Report PLN 08-26 Official Plan Amendment OPA 25-003P City-initiated Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Updated Staff Report: Responses and Revisions to Report PLN 04-26 H. Brenner, Pickering Resident appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 08-26 and raised concerns regarding advancing with the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan prior to a comprehensive review addressing 3.1 3.2 Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 3 critical questions regarding infrastructure, environmental impacts, flooding, and long-term taxpayer costs. H. Brenner advised that the City complete Pickering Forward prior to approving the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan to ensure decisions are based on current, complete data rather than irreversible expansion. A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and H. Brenner regarding the sufficiency of the environmental studies completed to date. Matt Bentley, Uxbridge Resident Re: Report PLN 08-26 Official Plan Amendment OPA 25-003P City-initiated Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Updated Staff Report: Responses and Revisions to Report PLN 04-26 M. Bentley, Uxbridge Resident, appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 08-26 and noted concerns regarding urban expansion, financial impacts, and indigenous engagement. M. Bentley suggested prioritizing due diligence before proceeding. A brief question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and M. Bentley regarding: whether all outstanding studies should be complete prior to proceeding with the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan; • whether the delegate would support a City wide consultation before the project advanced; • the delegate's perspective on the regional implications of the project, including whether it would be necessary for infrastructure costs to be subsidized by all Durham Region residents; and, • whether the delegate was aware of the total expenditures to date from regional, city, and developer sources. • Abdullah Mir, Pickering Resident Re: Report PLN 08-26 Official Plan Amendment OPA 25-003P City-initiated Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Updated Staff Report: Responses and Revisions to Report PLN 04-26 3.3 3.4 Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 4 A. Mir, Pickering Resident, appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 08-26 and advocated for responsible development and expressed concern that development charge reductions would not result in lower housing prices. A. Mir noted the absence of meaningful engagement with First Nations and called for the protection of the Duffins Creek headwaters. A. Mir urged council to defer the report until independent watershed science was finalized. A brief question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and A. Mir regarding whether the delegate was aware of the total expenditures to date and whether they would potentially have an impact on future costs. Mike Borie, Pickering Resident Re: Report PLN 08-26 Official Plan Amendment OPA 25-003P City-initiated Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Updated Staff Report: Responses and Revisions to Report PLN 04-26 M. Borie, Pickering Resident, appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 08-26 and raised concern regarding the timing of the proposed land-use designations, noting that key environmental and watershed studies had not yet been completed. The delegate expressed concern pertaining to potential impacts on groundwater and private wells in Greenwood, Stanton Glenn, and Kinsell, and emphasized the need to protect endangered species such as the Redside Dace. M. Borie questioned the objectivity of the Master Environmental Servicing Plans being funded or prepared by the Northeast Pickering Landowners Group. The delegate also stressed the importance of completing and formalizing consultation with the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and the Williams Treaties First Nations (MSFIN) before advancing land-use changes. The delegate requested that Council defer the report pending completion of independent watershed studies and associated Indigenous consultation. A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and M. Borie regarding: whether there was any specific justification to approve the Plan at this time;• whether developed land could be reverted to farmland; and,• clarification of the endangered species that were at risk.• Nicholas Zamora, President and Jim Grundy, Treasurer, Greenwood 3.5 3.6 Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 5 Community Association Re: Report PLN 08-26 Official Plan Amendment OPA 25-003P City-initiated Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Updated Staff Report: Responses and Revisions to Report PLN 04-26 N. Zamora, President, and J. Grundy, Treasurer, Greenwood Community Association, appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 08-26 and addressed local groundwater protection and the potential impacts of the proposed development on private wells. N. Zamora expressed concern regarding long-term water security, noting that large-scale urban development could affect both groundwater quantity and quality. The delegates submitted several recommended measures, including mandatory baseline well testing, independent peer review of hydrological studies, reverse-onus provisions placing responsibility on developers, emergency potable water access, permanent municipal water connections at no cost to affected residents, and financial security requirements for developers. They stated that existing “mitigation” language in the plan was insufficient and requested stronger, more explicit protections to ensure residents did not bear the burden of proving groundwater impacts. They expressed concern that delaying such requirements increased risk. A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and the delegates regarding: whether the delegates would agree to ongoing consultation with City staff to refine protections; • the long-term, multi-phase nature of the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan and whether it was appropriate to approve the current phase before additional studies were completed; • clarification on the extent of public consultation regarding potential watershed impacts on private wells; and, • clarification that stronger groundwater-protection language should be incorporated at this stage of the planning process. • Katie Pandey, Innovative Planning Solutions Inc. and Andrea Woloszczuk, Pickering Landowner Re: Report PLN 08-26 Official Plan Amendment OPA 25-003P City-initiated Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan 3.7 Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 6 Updated Staff Report: Responses and Revisions to Report PLN 04-26 K. Pandey, Innovative Planning Solutions Inc. and A. Woloszczuk, Pickering Landowner, appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 08-26. The delegates requested that the specific location of a proposed community park be deferred to a future neighbourhood planning process and submitted that maintaining a conceptual designation at this stage placed an undue burden on affected landowners. The delegates further submitted that additional technical information should be available before final decisions were made respecting the location and size of community facilities. A brief question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and the delegates regarding whether it was their opinion that approval of the Plan was premature. Matthew Cory, Malone Given Parsons Ltd. Re: Report PLN 08-26 Official Plan Amendment OPA 25-003P City-initiated Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Updated Staff Report: Responses and Revisions to Report PLN 04-26 M. Cory, Malone Given Parsons Ltd, appeared before Council via electronic connection to speak to Report PLN 08-26 on behalf of members of the Northeast Pickering Landowners Group and addressed concerns regarding the City's fiscal sustainability, noting that municipalities are required under the Provincial Planning Statement to operate without incurring deficits and that fiscal impact studies would demonstrate how development could remain financially viable. M. Cory advised that the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan formed an early step in a multi year planning process that began with the 2019 Growth Plan, and emphasized that the Secondary Plan served as a policy framework required before detailed neighbourhood plans, engineering studies, fiscal analyses, and technical investigations could proceed. The delegate noted that a City-led Secondary Plan provided a coordinated approach to development compared with individual landowners advancing separate applications. M. Cory concluded that approval of the Secondary Plan would establish the framework necessary to proceed to subsequent, more detailed planning and engineering stages, including additional studies and that the landowners group is committed to ongoing consultation. A question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and M. Cory regarding: 3.8 Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 7 whether the planning process was being rushed and how the current phase fit within the broader multi year timeline; • the purpose of the secondary plan as a policy and guideline document, and the limitations on conducting fiscal impact studies or technical assessments at this stage; • whether the landowners group would commit to early consultation with community groups such as Greenwood Community Association to ensure concerns are addressed; • the timeline of the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan and how it compared to similar municipal projects in Ontario; • clarification that future development applications would be required to go back to Council for approval; • clarification that studies on wells and aquifers cannot occur until access is provided through the Secondary Plan; • clarification of the composition of the Landowners group and when the lands were purchased; • what level of meaningful consultation had occurred between the Landowners and the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSFIN) and the Williams Treaties First Nations and how that has shaped the Landowners approach; • whether the Northeast Pickering Landowners Group stood to benefit financially from future developments and whether their intent was to sell the property; • whether approval of the Secondary Plan would increase the value of the land;• whether the Secondary Plan proposal was market driven rather than by the needs of the community; • whether delaying approval of the Secondary Plan would result in any specific harm; and, • what data was available pertaining to whether housing targets were being met.• Resolution #1001/26 Moved By Councillor Cook Seconded By Councillor Butt That Council take a short recess. Carried Council recessed at 8:27 p.m. and reconvened at 8:32 p.m. Matters for Consideration 4. Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 8 Director, City Development & CBO, Report PLN 08-26 Official Plan Amendment OPA 25-003P City-initiated Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Updated Staff Report: Responses and Revisions to Report PLN 04-26 Discussion and a question and answer period ensued between Members of Council and City staff regarding: clarification of how the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan, (the Plan), would protect residents in ensuring completion of all required studies prior to development; • concerns raised by the Greenwood community regarding language related to groundwater protections; • clarification of the potential cost impacts to taxpayers;• whether the Sportsplex facility was proposed to be relocated or removed from the Plan; • whether the Plan followed standard processes consistent with other planning exercises for communities and subdivisions, and clarification of the stage the process had reached; • whether staff could commit to working with the Greenwood community to address their seven points of concern earlier in the process than typically required; • clarification on the status of achieving a Memorandum of Understanding with the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation (MSIFN); • clarification of the implications for the City should Council postpone a decision on the Plan pending completion of the MOU; • why the recreation facility designation required a Mayoral direction to be removed, and whether the removal of community park designations was also being considered; • clarification of whether the Seaton development concluded with a surplus or a deficit; • whether, if a Fiscal Impact Study identified a deficit that could not be covered by development charges, the City would approach landowners to fund the difference; • whether the current procedure for advancing the Plan represented a standard process for developments of this nature; • what harm, if any, would result from deferring the Plan for six months;• whether the MSIFN were opposed to the development;• whether the Plan was needs-driven or market-driven;• 4.1 Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 9 whether the proposed Northeast Pickering development was necessary to meet housing targets given that significant portions of Seaton remain unbuilt; • whether the Plan complied with the Durham Official Plan and whether private landowners were permitted to bring forward secondary plan applications outside a comprehensive review; • what studies and reports would be required following approval of the Plan;• whether the Northeast Pickering initiative was developer-driven or City-driven;• the approximate cost of work completed to date for the Northeast Pickering project; • whether a Fiscal Impact Study could be undertaken in the absence of detailed development plans; • how many condominium proposals were currently before Council city-wide and how many were anticipated for Northeast Pickering; • how concerns regarding potential flooding impacts on private wells and community safety were being addressed, and whether the Plan was required prior to further studies being conducted; • what would occur should Council decide not to proceed with the Plan;• clarification that approval of the Plan was required to advance subsequent studies; • clarification that the Envision Durham Official Plan outlined and provided a map of the elements that must be satisfied and that the Plan did not confirm a specific framework; • the importance of prioritizing residents’ interests over those of developers;• concerns that required studies were incomplete and would be funded by developers; • clarification that the decision to develop the lands had already been made and that the current focus was on how development would proceed, including continuing efforts to secure a Memorandum of Understanding with the MSIFN; and, • the City’s responsibility to plan for the future and, by supporting the Plan, the City maintaining control over growth through a conceptual land use framework. • Resolution #1002/26 Moved By Councillor Nagy Seconded By Councillor Cook That due to the remaining items of business on the Agenda, the meeting be extended to allow Council to continue to meet beyond 11:00 p.m. Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 10 Carried Resolution #1003/26 Moved By Councillor Butt Seconded By Councillor Pickles That Report PLN 08-26 regarding the recommended Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan be received; 1. That Official Plan Amendment Application OPA 25-003P, initiated by the City of Pickering, to add new policies and designations to the Pickering Official Plan regarding the recommended Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan, as set out in Attachment 1 to Report PLN 08-26, be approved; 2. That the Draft By-law to adopt Official Plan Amendment 54 to the Pickering Official Plan, to add new policies and designations to the Pickering Official Plan regarding the recommended Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan, as set out in Exhibit “A” to Attachment 1 of Report PLN 08-26, be approved; 3. That staff be directed to negotiate the terms of the following agreements with the North East Pickering Landowners Group Inc. (the “Landowners Group”) for the purpose of implementing the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan (the “Secondary Plan”) in the City’s best interests, and that these agreements be brought to Council for approval: an agreement respecting the funding and preparation of one or more Master Environmental Servicing Plans (the "MESP(s)”) for the Secondary Plan area, which the Agreement shall include: Terms of Reference for the completion of the MESP(s) to the satisfaction of the City, and the Region of Durham, in consultation with the respective conservation authorities, as set out in section 11.B.71 a) of the Secondary Plan; and, i. details of funding arrangements requiring the Landowners Group to either fully fund in advance the City’s preparation of the MESP(s) or to prepare the MESP(s) at its cost while fully funding in advance the City’s peer review and oversight function; ii. a. an agreement respecting the funding and preparation of Neighbourhood Plans for the Secondary Plan area, which Agreement shall include: Terms of Reference for the completion of the Neighbourhood Plans to the satisfaction of the City, as set out in section 11.B.72 of the Secondary Plan; i. the process to complete the Neighbourhood Plans either one at a time or concurrently; and, ii. details of funding arrangements requiring the Landowners Group to either fully fund in advance the City’s preparation of the Neighbourhood Plans or to prepare the Neighbourhood Plans at its cost while fully funding in advance the City’s peer review and iii. b. 4. Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 11 oversight function; an agreement respecting the funding and preparation of a Fiscal Impact Study (the ”FIS”), which agreement shall include: Terms of Reference for the completion of the FIS satisfactory to the City as set out in section 11.B.70 b) v. of the Secondary Plan, and section 4.14 of Report PLN 03-26, which includes but is not limited to: Growth Forecast; Capital Forecast; Development Charges/Community Benefits Charges; Operating Expenditure Requirements; Property Tax Yield; Operating, and Capital Fund Impacts; and Municipal Land Needs; and, i. details of funding arrangements requiring the Landowners Group to fully fund in advance the City’s cost to prepare the FIS; ii. c. if an area-specific development charge, and community benefit charge, is determined to be required to implement the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan, Council authorizes staff to prepare an agreement with the Landowners Group to fully fund in advance the background studies and work required to support and implement such policy; d. an agreement (referred to as a Master Parks and Community Lands Agreement or “MPCLA”) respecting the size, general location and timing of the transfer to the City of lands required for parks, essential community facilities, cultural heritage, road widenings and affordable housing (including compensation where appropriate), which shall be completed and executed in sufficient time to be inputted into the FIS; e. an agreement respecting the funding and preparation of an Infrastructure Staging and Phasing Plan (the "ISPP”), which agreement shall include: Terms of Reference for the completion of the ISPP to the satisfaction of the City as set out in section 11.B.68 of the Secondary Plan; and, i. details of funding arrangements requiring the Landowners Group to either fully fund in advance the City’s preparation of the ISPP, or to prepare the ISPP at its cost while fully funding in advance the City’s peer review and oversight function; ii. f. consistent with the requirements of the Secondary Plan, an agreement that a Landowner shall not receive any development approval until: all required environmental assessments for sanitary sewer and water infrastructure are completed to the satisfaction of the Region of Durham, as set out in section 11.B.70 b) iii. of the Secondary Plan, and the costs for completing the environmental assessment are fully funded in advance by the Landowners Group; i. all required environmental assessments for transportation infrastructure are completed to the satisfaction of the Region of ii. g. Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 12 Durham and the City of Pickering, as set out in section 11.B.70 b) iv. of the Secondary Plan, and the costs for completing the environmental assessment are fully funded in advance by the Landowners Group; all the agreements referred to in Recommendations 4 a., b., c., d., e. and f. of this report have been finalized and executed by the City and the Landowners Group; and, iii. the MESP(s), the Neighbourhood Plans, the FIS, the ISPP, and an area-specific development charge by-law and community benefit by-law if applicable are approved or accepted by the City as the case may be; iv. That staff be directed to include expenditures for studies and related items for the implementation of the Secondary Plan in future current budget submissions; 5. That staff be directed to continue their negotiations with MSIFN to prepare a memorandum of understanding (MOU), with respect to the development of a Consultation Protocol regarding Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan Area, to be returned for Council’s consideration; 6. That staff continue to engage and collaborate with First Nations rights holders in the preparation of the MESP(s), the Neighbourhood Plans, Phase 3 Scoped Subwatershed Study, the required Environmental Assessments, and all other documents and studies as may be necessary to complete the planning processes for the Secondary Plan area; 7. That staff continue to engage with existing property owners in the Northeast Pickering area, residents of Greenwood, relevant stakeholders, and the broader public at each milestone in the ongoing planning process; 8. That the City Clerk advise the Williams Treaties First Nations, all statutory commenting agencies, the Landowners Group, the Region of Durham, delegates to the November 10, 2025 Statutory Public Meeting and respective Council meeting, delegates to the March 2, 2026 Planning & Development Committee and respective Council meeting, delegates to the March 30, 2026 Special Council meeting and interested parties, of Council’s decision on Pickering Official Plan Amendment 54, which adds policies and designations regarding the Secondary Plan and other general policies to the Pickering Official Plan; 9. That appropriate mitigation is taken to prevent impacts from development in Northeast Pickering on local wells, specifically in Greenwood, Staxton Glen, and the former hamlet of Kinsale; 10. That staff continue to work with the residents of Greenwood to preserve the rural character of the hamlet; 11. That, through the forthcoming Neighbourhood Plan process, the block pattern 12. Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 13 and layout respect the existing homes and businesses in the former hamlet of Kinsale while also providing them with the opportunity to redevelop in accordance with the Northeast Pickering Secondary Plan; and, That appropriate City of Pickering officials be authorized to take the actions necessary to implement the recommendations in this report. 13. Voters Yes No Abstain Conflict Absent Mayor Ashe X Councillor Brenner X Councillor Butt X Councillor Cook X Councillor Nagy X Councillor Pickles X Councillor Robinson X Results 5 2 0 0 0 Carried on a Recorded Vote (5 to 2) By-laws Resolution #1004/26 Moved By Councillor Cook Seconded By Councillor Butt That By-law Numbers 8262/26 be approved. Carried By-law 8262/26 Being a By-law to adopt Amendment 54 to the Official Plan for the City of Pickering (OPA 25-003P) Confirmatory By-law Moved By Councillor Butt Seconded By Councillor Nagy That By-law 8263/26, to confirm the proceedings of the May 20, 2026 Special Council Meeting be approved. 5. 5.1 6. Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 14 Carried Adjournment Moved By Councillor Butt Seconded By Councillor Pickles That the meeting be adjourned. Carried The meeting adjourned at 11:07 p.m. ______________________________ Kevin Ashe, Mayor ______________________________ Susan Cassel, City Clerk 7. Special Council Meeting Minutes May 20, 2026 15