Council

That Council convene to a Closed Session pursuant to Section 239 (2) (f) of the Municipal Act, 2001, as amended, to discuss advice that is subject to solicitor-client privilege, including communications necessary for that purpose.

That all directions approved during the Closed Session be ratified.

That the minutes of the Regular Meeting of Council held on September 18, 2023 be adopted.

That the minutes of the Closed Meeting of Council held on September 18, 2023 be adopted.

1. That Zoning By-law Amendment Application Z2/22 be approved and that the implementing Zoning By-law, as provided in Attachment 1 to this report, be considered for approval by Council at its meeting of October 23, 2023.

1. That Zoning By-law Amendment Application Z3/21 be approved and that the implementing Zoning By-law, as provided in Attachment 1 to this report, be considered for approval by Council at its meeting of October 23, 2023; 2. That Draft Plan of Subdivision Application S-A-2021-01 be approved subject to the conditions of draft approval, substantially provided in Attachment 2 to this report, and that staff be authorized to grant draft approval of the proposed draft plan of subdivision.

Town of Ajax Council Meeting – October 23, 2023 That the report dated October 23, 2023 containing Items of Correspondence be received for information.

That the Community Affairs & Planning Committee Report dated October 2, 2023, be adopted, save and except Item 4.2.

That the recommendation associated with Item 4.2 of the October 2nd CAP Report be amended by: 1. Replacing October 23, 2023 with November 27, 2023 and; 2. That a new be clause be added which reads “That Council approve the proposed amendments to the Pickering Village Community Improvement Plan and staff be authorized to forward the implementing by-law to the November 27, 2023 Council meeting.

That the Community Affairs & Planning Committee Report dated October 2, 2023, be adopted, as amended.

That the General Government Committee Report dated October 10, 2023 be adopted.

That the Summary of Advisory Committee Activities Report dated October 23, 2023, as attached to the meeting agenda be received for information, and that the recommendations contained therein be

1. That the Town formally discontinue its pursuit of ISO 9001 recertification as a quality management approach. 2. That the Town transition to a quality management philosophy of continuous improvement with an emphasis on improving processes, documentation and compliance.

1. That the report titled “Automated Speed Enforcement Program Update” be received for information.

1. That Council reduce the time period as set out in subsection 7(3) of O. Reg. 530/22 to pass a resolution making an amendment to the proposed budget from 30 days to 28 days; and, 2. That Council reduce the time period as set out in subsection 7(10) of O. Reg. 530/22 to override the head of council’s veto of an amendment to the proposed budget from 15 days to 5 days.

That the Regional Councillors’ Reports of October 23, 2023 be received for information.

WHEREAS all property taxes in Ontario are calculated by multiplying the assessed value of the property by the property tax rate established by the municipality; AND WHEREAS low-income seniors and persons with disabilities who are trying to age in place are facing undue pressure to meet their annual property tax payments, due to the higher cost of living resulting from increasing interest rates and higher inflation; AND WHEREAS Section 365 of the Municipal Act permits a local council to pass a by-law “to provide for the cancellation, reduction or refund of taxes levied for municipal and school purposes”; AND WHEREAS subsections (3) and (4) of Section 365 of the Municipal Act allow the cost of the amount of the taxes cancelled, reduced or refunded to be shared with the school boards in the same proportion that the municipalities and school boards share in those revenues, with the amount of the upper-tier municipality’s share to be the responsibility of the lower-tier if the upper-tier has not passed a similar by-law; AND WHEREAS several Durham Region municipalities, including Brock, Scugog, Whitby, Oshawa, and Pickering offer eligible low-income senior and disabled taxpayers an annual property tax grant, ranging from $350 (Brock) to $535 (Pickering), with eligibility requirements generally as follows: 1. Applicant and/or spouse are at least 65 years of age and receive the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS); or 2. Applicant and/or spouse are a person with a disability and receiv

WHEREAS between 2011 and 2021, Ajax experienced a population increase of 15.6% per cent to 126,666; AND WHEREAS in February 2023, Ajax Council endorsed the Ontario government’s Municipal Housing Pledge targeting 17,000 new housing units in Ajax by 2031; AND WHEREAS the Town of Ajax has a fixed urban boundary and higher density housing is necessary to create new and affordable housing units and to diversify the housing stock in Ajax; AND WHEREAS the Town of Ajax has applied for $43.5 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) to invest in community-related infrastructure, programs, and studies that support housing; AND WHEREAS the HAF grant program represents an opportunity for the Town to refine the policies, procedures and processes to encourage development in an effort to increase the supply of housing consistent with the Housing Pledge; AND WHEREAS the Town of Ajax now currently permits “as-of-right” zoning permissions for up to 3 residential units in accordance with Bill 23; AND WHEREAS the Town of Ajax would like to further promote environmental sustainability with more efficient land use and provide more affordable housing options for families by reducing barriers. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: 1. Planning and Development staff be directed to carry out the necessary work to implement “as-of-right” zoning permissions for up to four (4) residential units on a property wherever zoning permits detached, semi-detached or street townhouse dwellings. 2. A copy of thi

WHEREAS Ajax Council has prioritized fostering a safe and welcoming community as part of the 2022-2026 Strategic Plan; AND WHEREAS better lighting can boost pedestrian comfort and feelings of safety when moving around at night; AND WHEREAS solar lights are positioned as cost-effective and environmentally sustainable alternatives to traditional streetlights powered by hydro because, while installation and maintenance costs are similar, there are no associated energy costs; AND WHEREAS the Town has implemented solar lighting in Paradise Park, Hermitage leash free dog park, and the Greenwood Conservation Area parking lot; Town of Ajax Council Meeting – October 23, 2023 AND WHEREAS solar lighting systems are also being utilized by some municipalities, including Windsor, Hamilton, and Vancouver to improve visibility on pathways and in parks; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Operations and Environmental Service staff be directed to bring a report to Council or the appropriate standing committee by June 2024, reporting on the success of existing Town solar projects, and the cost and feasibility of implementing additional solar lighting infrastructure, including recommendations for lighting along one neighbourhood linking pathway per ward.

That By-law numbers 55-2023 to 60-2023 be read a first, second and third time and passed.

That By-law number 61-2023 being a by-law to confirm the proceedings of the Council of the Corporation of the Town of Ajax at its meeting held on October 23, 2023, be read a first, second and third time and passed.

That the October 23, 2023 meeting of the Council of the Town of Ajax be adjourned (9:34 p.m.)