Agenda items to watch across Huron County
The Huron Chamber of Commerce is introducing a weekly scan of municipal council agendas across Huron County to help members and local businesses keep an eye on items that may affect business, development, infrastructure, downtowns, tourism, workforce, and community services. Each Friday, we will share selected items of interest from council agendas for the week ahead.
This is not intended to be a full analysis of every agenda item, nor a statement of Chamber positions. It is a practical “things to watch” list, highlighting items that may be worth following, attending, or reviewing in more detail as they move through local council processes. Some municipal agendas may not be included in a given week if they do not contain items that appear to have a clear connection to the Chamber community. If there is something you think we missed, let us know.
Special Note: Bill 98 Planning Reform
Several municipal agendas this week include reports on Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026. These reports appear to be part of a coordinated review by Huron County planning staff, with local councils being asked to receive information and, in some cases, authorize comments through the Environmental Registry of Ontario.
For the Chamber network, the item is worth watching because the proposed changes could affect how municipalities manage official plans, development approvals, employment lands, site plan control, infrastructure requirements, and local planning processes. The direct effect may vary by municipality, but the broader issue touches housing, commercial and industrial development, municipal capacity, and the rules that shape future growth across Huron County.
Township of Ashfield-Colborne-Wawanosh
Meeting: May 5, 2026, 9:00 a.m.
Item 7.1: Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, Planning Changes
Council will receive a planning report on proposed provincial planning changes under Bill 98. The report outlines changes affecting Ontario’s planning framework, including standardized official plan requirements, development approvals, employment land planning, site plan control, and related municipal planning processes. Similar reports are appearing across several Huron County municipal agendas.
Municipality of Bluewater
Meeting: May 4, 2026, 6:30 p.m.
Item 6.1.3: Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, Proposed Planning Changes
Council will receive a planning report on Bill 98 and related provincial planning changes. The item is part of a broader set of municipal responses to proposed changes affecting official plans, development approvals, employment land planning, site plan control, and municipal planning authority. Similar reports are before several Huron County councils.
Municipality of Central Huron
Meeting: May 4, 2026, 5:00 p.m.
Item 6.3.3: Bluewater Recycling Association 2025 Annual Report
Council will receive the Bluewater Recycling Association’s 2025 Annual Report. The report includes a regulatory update on the transition to a dedicated Industrial, Commercial and Institutional recycling service, following the Province’s confirmation that ICI recycling is no longer included in the residential Blue Box system under Extended Producer Responsibility.
Item 9.2.1: Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, Proposed Planning Changes
Council will receive a planning report on Bill 98 and is being asked to provide written comments to the noted Environmental Registry of Ontario postings. The report covers proposed provincial planning changes that could affect municipal official plans, development approvals, employment land planning, site plan control, and other local planning processes.
Item 9.2.2: Staff Report in Response to April 7, 2026 C. Boucher Delegation
Council will receive a planning report responding to a previous delegation from C. Boucher. The issue appears to involve the interpretation of agricultural and horticultural uses on lands zoned General Agriculture, including questions about permitted uses, lot size, legal non-conforming status, and whether zoning amendments or other studies would be required for continued agricultural use.
Town of Goderich
Meeting: May 4, 2026, 4:00 p.m.
Item 5.3: Goderich Port Management Corporation Annual Plan
Council is scheduled to receive the annual plan from Frank Hurkmans, President of the Goderich Port Management Corporation. The item places the port’s current plans and priorities before Council, with the port continuing to be a significant local and regional asset tied to marine shipping, industrial activity, transportation infrastructure, and broader harbour development.
Item 7.1: Surplus Land and Building Community Improvement Plan
Council will consider a proposed Surplus Land and Building Community Improvement Plan. The plan is intended as a planning and economic development tool to help facilitate the redevelopment of underutilized or vacant public properties by the private sector. A public meeting is scheduled for May 25, with potential adoption by by-law expected at a later meeting if there are no objections.
Item 7.12: Public Washrooms
Council will receive a report on public washroom availability and seasonal service levels. The report recommends reopening the Kingston Street washrooms on weekends from Victoria Day to the end of the Farmers’ Market season, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and making them available for the BIA Thursday night concert series if the BIA secures and closes the facility after each event.
Item 10.8: Signage around the Square
Council will consider correspondence from John Rutledge Architecture regarding signage around the Square. The staff recommendation is to refer the matter to the Rebuilding Downtown Infrastructure Task Force, where it may be considered as part of broader downtown design, wayfinding, and infrastructure discussions.
Municipality of Morris-Turnberry
Meeting: May 5, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Item 7.1.1: Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, Proposed Planning Changes
Council will receive a planning report on proposed provincial planning changes under Bill 98. The report is being provided for information and forms part of the broader review of how the proposed legislation may affect local planning processes, development approvals, employment land policies, and municipal implementation requirements.
Township of North Huron
Meeting: May 4, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Item 4.2.2: New Business Welcome Guide for the Township of North Huron
Council will receive a report on a new business welcome guide developed by the Township’s Economic Development Officer. The guide is intended to provide centralized information for new and prospective businesses, including processes, municipal and regional contacts, programs, and supports for establishing, operating, and growing a business in North Huron.
Item 4.2.4: Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, Proposed Planning Changes
Council will receive a planning report on Bill 98 and related provincial planning changes. The item is part of a broader series of municipal reports across Huron County dealing with proposed changes to Ontario’s planning framework, including official plans, development approvals, employment land planning, and site plan control.
Item 4.2.5: Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Recycling Update
Council will receive an update on how Industrial, Commercial and Institutional recycling producers are managing recyclable materials following changes to the provincial Blue Box system. The report notes that IC&I producers are no longer eligible for curbside collection under the new system, and that the Wingham BIA has arranged a bin for BIA members while most Blyth businesses already had arrangements in place.
Item 5.1: ERTH / Westario, A Partnership for the Future
Council will receive a presentation from Chris White, President and CEO of ERTH Corporation, regarding ERTH and Westario. The presentation appears to address local electricity distribution, corporate structure, governance, service area, and the proposed partnership framework involving ERTH and Westario.
Item 6.6.1: Direct Grant for Structural Work Application, 292 Josephine Street, Wingham, Great China House Restaurant
Council will consider an $8,000 Direct Grant for Structural Work application for Great China House Restaurant at 292 Josephine Street in Wingham. The funding would come through North Huron’s Community Improvement Plan, which provides incentives for building improvements, structural work, accessibility upgrades, energy efficiency, and reinvestment in commercial and downtown properties.
Items 4.1.3 and 4.1.4: Blyth BIA and Wingham BIA Board Meeting Minutes
Council will receive the March 19, 2026 minutes from both the Blyth BIA Board and the Wingham BIA Board. These minutes may be useful to monitor local business-district priorities, downtown issues, beautification, events, member concerns, and any emerging matters that could affect businesses in Blyth or Wingham.
Municipality of South Huron
Meeting: May 4, 2026, 6:00 p.m.
Item 5.1: United Way Perth Huron, Memorandum of Understanding
Council will receive a delegation from United Way Perth Huron regarding its Memorandum of Understanding with South Huron. The agenda package includes the existing agreement, which provides an annual municipal contribution of $30,000, along with information on United Way Perth-Huron programs including the Southern Huron Connection Centre, Huron Turning Point, 211, free tax clinics, the Urgent Needs Fund, Social Research and Planning Council, United Housing, Artemis Huron, Huron Safe Homes for Youth, and the Huron County Food Distribution Centre.
Item 5.2: Exeter Business Improvement Area, OBIAA Construction Mitigation Toolkit
Council will receive a delegation from the Exeter BIA regarding the Ontario Business Improvement Area Association Construction Mitigation Toolkit. The toolkit provides guidance for municipalities, BIAs, and community partners to support main street businesses through construction projects, including planning, stakeholder engagement, construction task forces, communications, signage, parking, access, business continuity supports, public realm activation, recovery planning, and post-construction business support.
Item 8.1: Bluewater Recycling Association 2025 Annual Report
Council will receive the Bluewater Recycling Association’s 2025 Annual Report. The report includes a regulatory update on the transition to a dedicated Industrial, Commercial and Institutional recycling collection program. The change followed the Province’s confirmation that ICI recycling is no longer included in the residential Blue Box system under Extended Producer Responsibility, requiring BRA to create a separate program for affected businesses across member municipalities.
Item 8.4: Exeter Business Improvement Area Minutes, March 24, 2026
Council will receive the March 24 minutes from the Exeter BIA. The minutes include the Councillor’s report noting South Huron’s April 1 open house on Main Street road construction, with members encouraged to attend and ask questions. The minutes also note BIA office closure items, including remaining furniture and utilities, and the need for communication to members and the public.
Item 9.1.2: Bill 98, Building Homes and Improving Transportation Infrastructure Act, 2026, Proposed Planning Changes
Council will receive a planning report on Bill 98 and is being asked to direct and authorize staff to provide comments through the Environmental Registry of Ontario. The report addresses proposed provincial planning changes affecting municipal planning processes, official plans, development approvals, employment land planning, and related implementation requirements.
Item 9.1.3: Building and Planning First Quarter Report
Council will receive the Building and Planning First Quarter Report. The report states that 20 permits were issued under the Building Code Act in the first quarter, with a total construction value of $7,923,800. It also notes eight planning applications received during the quarter, with total municipal planning fees of $12,850.
Item 9.3.2: Highway 21 and County Road 83 Intersection Improvements
Council will consider a report on Highway 21 and County Road 83 intersection improvements. The Ministry of Transportation is planning intersection work in 2027 and is seeking South Huron’s agreement to close the existing Gore Road connection to County Road 83, assume a new cul-de-sac at the west end of the closed section, and assume the realigned Gore Road connection once the project is complete.
Item 9.4.1: 2025 Annual Development Charges
Council will receive the 2025 Annual Development Charges report. The report provides the Treasurer’s annual statement required under the Development Charges Act, outlining information related to development charge by-laws and reserve funds. The report is being presented for information and is tied to infrastructure investment and asset management planning.
Item 14.13: Dan Marchioni Correspondence, Downtown Exeter Cross Walk
Council will receive correspondence from Dan Marchioni of Huron Apothecary requesting a crosswalk near the Downtown Exeter Parkette between John Street and James Street. The letter notes that the municipal parking lot is on the west side of Main Street while the pharmacy is on the east side, creating crossing challenges for patients, including those with mobility issues.