Grand River Conservation Authority update
Matt Ninomiya, one of our board of directors met with GRCA
- The Board approved the Conestoga River floodplain mapping.
Regular Updates
Permits and Planning
- Fewer permits were issued this year (635) compared to last year (800+).
- There are more site development applications coming in.
- The Pre-Consultation Checklist has been in use for over two months and is working well.
Customer Service and Making Things Easier
- Engineering is creating simple checklists for required reports, including:
- Stormwater reports
- Coastal work
- Bridge and culvert replacements
- Floodplain studies
- These will match the Pre-Consultation Checklist so applicants know exactly what is required upfront.
- Once an application is complete, no major new studies will be requested.
- Draft checklists should be ready by the end of January or early February.
Conservation Authority Consolidation Update
- GRCA is not against consolidation, but the current proposal would create an authority that is too large going all the way to Windsor
- Conservation Authorities already share knowledge, but do not share staff.
- All Conservation Authority offices would stay open.
- Any consolidation would happen after the next municipal election.
Development Charges Credit Agreement with the City of Brantford
This agreement basically says that if a landowner builds or pays for certain municipal infrastructure needed for their development (like roads, water, sewers, or stormwater systems), the City of Brantford will give them a credit to reduce the development charges they would normally have to pay; the owner is responsible for designing, building, paying for, and maintaining the work to city standards, carrying insurance, providing security, and fixing any problems until the city formally takes it over, and the credit is limited to approved costs and can only be used for development charges on the specified lands, with strict timelines, conditions, and the ability for the city to cancel the agreement if requirements aren’t met.
BHBA headed up by Bob Stewart and Corrado Russo are coordinating comments and have hired Helen Mihilidi at Brattys LPP and Daryl Keleher from KR Planning Group Inc. to review the document and have submitted comments to the city on January 30th.
As the year comes to a close and planning for 2026 begins, The County of Brant Development Services is advancing a number of key initiatives. Policy Planning is focused on finalizing several major projects, including the Cainsville Secondary Plan and updated zoning for downtown Paris. Early work is underway on the Community Planning Permit System, with community engagement expected in early 2026 and the bylaw targeted for completion by mid-year. Updates to the Official Plan Omnibus are also continuing, with a goal of finalization by mid-2026. In addition, an Indigenous Protocol is anticipated to be introduced in early 2026.
Looking ahead, new initiatives planned for 2026 include the launch of an Archaeological Master Plan and the start of a secondary plan for Paris East, covering the Dundas Street and Paris Road area. Development Planning activity remains steady, with several industrial and commercial sites progressing and overall application volumes holding consistent.
Welcome new members
Enersure Home Comfort a division of Grandbridge Group https://enersure.ca/
Green Think Inc. https://greenthinkinc.com/
Trans Power Utility Contractors Inc. https://transpower.ca/
Sarab Khaira law Professional Corporation https://sarabkhairalaw.ca/
Greybrook Realty Partners Inc https://greybrook.com/
