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Home Stratford Meetings March 23, 2026

Council · Regular

March 23, 2026

Stratford City Council

2 sittings (recessed)
Sittings — this meeting was recessed and reconvened
Day 1 March 23, 2026 7:00 P.M. – 8:25 P.M.
Day 2 March 23, 2026 8:28 P.M. – 9:06 P.M.
9 present · 2 absent
Martin Ritsma Mayor — Biehn Councillor — Bonnie Henderson Councillor Regrets Brad Beatty Councillor — Briscoe Councillor Regrets Hunter Councillor — Jo-Dee Burbach Councillor — Larry McCabe Councillor — Nijjar Councillor — Sebben Councillor — Wordofa Councillor —
Staff & officers present
Adam Betteridge Director of Building and Planning Services — Alexander Burnett Intermediate Planner — André Morin Chief Administrative Officer — Audrey Pascual Deputy Clerk — Kim McElroy Director of Social Services — Marc Bancroft Manager of Planning — Michael Koktan Manager of Financial Services — Neil Anderson Director of Emergency Services/Fire Chief — Nick Sheldon Project Manager — Sean Beech Manager of Environmental Services — Tatiana Dafoe City Clerk — Taylor Crinklaw Director of Infrastructure Services — Tim Wolfe Director of Community Services —

Revisions

  1. First published Substantive fetched Jun 22, 2026
    • · Motion 1 added: THAT the Minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council of The Corporation of the City of Stratford dated March 9, 2026 be adopted as printed.
    • · Motion 2 added: THAT the Addendum to the Regular Agenda of Council and Standing Committees dated March 23, 2026 be added to the Agenda as printed.
    • · Motion 3 added: THAT Michael Bannerman, Patricia Smith and Deepika Mishra representing the Avon Maitland District School Board be heard.
    • · Motion 4 added: THAT Rowan Lubke and Tara Bissett be heard.
    • · Motion 5 added: THAT the Zoning By-law Amendment, as recommended by staff as per Report COU24-152 for application Z07-22 to rezone the subject lands municipally known as 3980 Road 111 to Residential Fourth Density Zone with site specific regulations (R4),…
    • · Motion 6 added: THAT Council APPROVE Part Lot Control Applications PLC01-26 and PLC02-26 to exempt Blocks 90 and 91 respectively, on Registered Plan 44M-101 from Part Lot Control for one year from the date of the passing of the By-law to permit the creati…
    • · Motion 7 added: THAT City Planning-initiated Housekeeping Zoning By-law Amendment to the City of Stratford Comprehensive Zoning By-law 2022-22, be subject to the following amendments: a) That the definition for “converted dwelling” be retained including r…
    • · Motion 8 added: THAT City Council issue a notice of intention, consistent with Heritage Stratford’s recommendation, to designate 87 Nile Street under Part IV, Section 29 of the Ontario Heritage Act, specifically the: a. Red brick house with symmetrical fa…
    • · Motion 9 added: THAT the 2025 Water Summary Report be received for information to keep within the compliance standards set out in Ontario Regulation 170/03.
    • · Motion 10 added: THAT direction be given to staff to maintain status quo for the 2026 Outdoor Patio Boardwalk season; AND THAT direction be given to staff to investigate a full replacement of the Outdoor Patio Boardwalks for the 2027 season.
    • · Motion 11 added: THAT the report titled, “Treasurer’s 2025 Statement of Council Remuneration and Expenses” (COU26-035), be received for information.
    • · Motion 12 added: THAT City Council hereby designates the Ontario Pork Congress trade show to be held June 17-18, 2026, at the Stratford Rotary Complex as having municipal significance for the purpose of obtaining liquor licenses from the AGCO, subject to n…
    • · Motion 13 added: THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims March 2026 as Harriet Tubman Month to honour the legacy of Harriet Tubman, the black woman born into slavery in Maryland, United States, in or around 1820, who had the courage to escape slavery …
    • · Motion 14 added: THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims April 9, 2026, as a day to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of the Retired Women Teacher's of Ontario Stratford Branch and to honour the contributions they have made in our community.
    • · Motion 15 added: THAT Stratford City Council hereby proclaims May 12, 2026, as "Fibromyalgia Awareness Day" in the City of Stratford in support of those living with Fibromyalgia and their families.
    • · Motion 16 added: THAT the Report of the Infrastructure, Transportation and Safety Committee dated March 23, 2026 be adopted as printed, excluding 9.1.3 and 9.1.5.
    • · Motion 17 added: THAT Council receive the design summary for the Queen Street Reconstruction Project for information; THAT Council approve the design as outlined in report ITS26-007 and as presented at the Public Open House and on Engage Stratford; AND THA…
    • · Motion 18 added: THAT Option 2, to permit the existing stairs, walkway, fence, and retaining wall to encroach onto the Nile Street road allowance be approved; THAT the encroachment application to expand the existing driveway be denied; THAT the annual fee …
    • · Motion 19 added: THAT the Report of the Planning and Heritage Committee dated March 23, 2026 be adopted as printed.
    • · Motion 20 added: THAT By-laws 38-2026 to 43-2026 be taken collectively.
    • · Motion 21 added: THAT By-laws 38-2026 to 43-2026 be read a First and Second Time.
    • · Motion 22 added: THAT By-laws 38-2026 to 43-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.
    • · Motion 23 added: THAT By-law 44-2026 be read a First and Second Time.
    • · Motion 24 added: THAT By-law 44-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.
    • · Motion 25 added: THAT CA-2026-032, being a letter from the Avon Maitland District School Board regarding a Request for Provincial Consultation and Transparency Regarding Potential Changes to English Public School Board Governance, be supported; AND THAT Co…
    • · Motion 26 added: THAT CA-2026-033, being a resolution from The Regional Municipality of York regarding Circular Materials Ontario, be endorsed.
    • · Motion 27 added: THAT the Council meeting adjourn to convene into Standing Committees as follows: • Social Services Committee [7:05 or thereafter following the Regular Council meeting]; and to Committee of the Whole if necessary, and to reconvene into Coun…
    • · Motion 28 added: THAT By-law 45-2026 be read a First and Second Time.
    • · Motion 29 added: THAT By-law 45-2026 be read a Third Time and Finally Passed.
    • · Motion 30 added: THAT the March 23, 2026 Regular Council meeting adjourn to convene into the Committee of the Whole In-camera Session for the following items and reconvene into Open Session after the closed session:
    • · Motion 31 added: THAT the March 23, 2026 Regular Council meeting adjourn.
    • · Attendance added: Jo-Dee Burbach (present)
    • · Attendance added: Bonnie Henderson (regrets)
    • · Attendance added: Larry McCabe (present)
    • · Attendance added: Martin Ritsma (present)
    • · Attendance added: André Morin (present)
    • · Attendance added: Tatiana Dafoe (present)
    • · Attendance added: Audrey Pascual (present)
    • · Attendance added: Kim McElroy (present)
    • · Attendance added: Tim Wolfe (present)
    • · Attendance added: Taylor Crinklaw (present)
    • · Attendance added: Adam Betteridge (present)
    • · Attendance added: Neil Anderson (present)
    • · Attendance added: Michael Koktan (present)
    • · Attendance added: Nick Sheldon (present)
    • · Attendance added: Marc Bancroft (present)
    • · Attendance added: Sean Beech (present)
    • · Attendance added: Alexander Burnett (present)
    • · Attendance added: Brad Beatty (present)
    • · Attendance added: Biehn (present)
    • · Attendance added: Hunter (present)
    • · Attendance added: Nijjar (present)
    • · Attendance added: Sebben (present)
    • · Attendance added: Wordofa (present)
    • · Attendance added: Briscoe (regrets)
    • · Participation added: Larry McCabe recuse