Council Meeting Summary: October 5, 2026
The following is a brief summary of the matters that Council covered at the Regular Council Meeting held on October 5, 2026.
These highlights are not official minutes of the meeting and are meant solely for the purpose of general communications. The approved minutes provide the only official record of Council Proceedings and decisions.
Highlights
Public Presentations
Essex County OPP Detachment Board Annual Report
- A public presentation was made by Paul Sweet, Chair, Essex County OPP Detachment Board - North; Dave Kigar, Vice Chair, Essex County OPP Detachment Board - North; and Inspector, Jamie Smith, Essex County OPP to provide an overview of the 2025 Essex County OPP Detachment Board Annual Report.
- Updates were provided for the following areas of work undertaken in 2025:
- Violent Crime and Victimization
- Property Crime
- Traffic Safety
- Community Patrols and Visibility
- Technology Integration
- Policing Partnerships and Border Safety
- Roadways, Waterways, and Marine Safety
- Community Well-Being and Mental Health Response
- Community Engagement
- Member Development
- View the 2025 Essex County OPP Detachment Board Annual Report for full details.
Reports from Administration
Site Specific Zoning By-Law Amendment (ZBA-03-26) – 6289 County Road 11
- Council received 2026-05 entitled Site Specific Zoning By-Law Amendment (ZBA-03-26) – 6289 County Road 11 (Colchester South, Ward 3)
- By-Law Number 2567, being a By-Law to Amend By-Law 1037, the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law for the Town of Essex to prohibit dwellings on the lands comprising PT E1/2 LT 3, CON 6 COLCHESTER AS IN R896870; ESSEX, SAVE AND EXCEPT PART 1 ON PLAN 12R30526 was read for three readings and finally passed.
ZBA(H)-02-26 – Removal of Holding Provision for 765 Sydenham Street (Colchester South, Ward 3)
- Council received planning report 2026-01 entitled ZBA(H)-02-26 – Removal of Holding Provision for 765 Sydenham Street (Colchester South, Ward 3).
- Council approved removing a Holding (H) Provision from the vacant residential property at 765 Sydenham Street in Colchester to allow for the construction of a single-unit dwelling and future accessory uses. Administration has confirmed that all conditions required to remove the Holding Provision have been satisfied.
- By-law Number 2568, being a By-law to Amend By-Law 1037, the Comprehensive Zoning By-Law for the Town of Essex was read for three readings and finally passed.
Essex Centre Storm Sewers – Rush Drain Catchment
- Council received Capital Works and Asset Management Report 2026-11 entitled Essex Centre Storm Sewers Rush Drain Catchment.
- Council appointed Stantec Consulting Ltd. to provide engineering services to design the second phase of the sewers of the Rush Catchment Area Improvements. The work will improve drainage in areas prone to flooding and includes new storm sewers and a multi-use pathway along Maidstone Avenue between Bell Avenue and Allen Avenue. The project will be coordinated with planned Bell Avenue improvements, with construction anticipated to be tendered in early 2027.
- The design cost is within the $150,000 already approved in the 2026 Capital Budget.\
- View the Essex Town Centre Storm Drainage System Study.
Sidewalk at Grondin Avenue & Arquette Street
- Council received Capital Works and Asset Management Report 2026-10 entitled Sidewalk at Grondin Avenue & Arquette Street for information.
- Council previously directed Administration to investigate the cost of installing a sidewalk along Grondin Avenue/Arquette Street in McGregor, from Sainte-Ursule Elementary School to the 11th Concession.
- Administration determined the project was not financially feasible due to the narrow road allowance, which would require significant property acquisition and major modifications to existing municipal and roadside drainage infrastructure.
Santa’s Village Committee – End of Term
- Council received Legal and Legislative Services Report 2026-30 entitled Santa’s Village Committee – End of Term.
- Council delegated authority to the Deputy CAO/Director, Community Services to authorize funding decisions, in consultation with the Committee Chair, for the Santa’s Village Committee event, to be held on December 12, 2026, within the approved operating budget, for a period of November 15, 2026, until the re-establishment by Council of the Santa’s Village Committee and appointment of members following the 2026 Municipal Election.
Special Event Resource Team (SERT) Update – October 2026
- Council received Parks and Facilities Report 2026-11 entitled Special Event Resources Team (SERT) Update – October 2026 for information.
- View the event listing for October 2026.
Notable Correspondence
- Notice of Intent to Apply for a Cannabis Cultivation Licence under the Cannabis Act at 3272 North Malden Road
- RE: Sustainable and Predictable Operating Funding for Ontario's Public Libraries
- Windsor-Essex County Health Unit Board of Health correspondence
Ontario Municipal Water Association
- Council proclaimed October 23, 2026, as Water, Wastewater and Stormwater Operators Appreciation Day in the Town of Essex, recognizing the essential role operators play in providing safe drinking water, wastewater treatment and reliable stormwater services.
Santa's Village Committee
- Council appointed Jenny Drouillard to the Santa's Village Committee.
Notice of Motion
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Whereas the Town of Essex has recently experienced significant rainfall events;
Whereas these significant rainfall events lead to potential flooding in the Town; and
Whereas Council has recently resolved to prepare a flooding road map for the Town of Essex.
Now therefore be it resolved that Council direct Administration to include in such flooding roadmap the consideration of whether or not it is advisable to implement measures such as an Interim Control By-Law, especially in Harrow, limiting construction until research can be done into flooding mitigation strategies.
- Whereas if an Ontario municipality wishes to govern the use of e-bikes and e-scooters within the municipality, the municipality must establish By-Laws governing such use; and
- Whereas neighbouring municipalities are currently reviewing and revising their By-Laws to explore potential rules regarding the use of e-bikes and e-scooters.
- Now Therefore, Be It Resolved That Council direct Administration to work with the OPP and neighbouring municipalities and return with a report determining whether or not the Town requires any new By-Laws or amendments to current Town By-Laws in order to govern the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in the Town of Essex.
By-Laws
By-Laws that require a third and final reading:
- By-Law 2563 being a By-Law to confirm the proceedings of the September 21, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex was read a third time and finally passed on October 5, 2026.
By-Laws that require a first and second reading
- By-Law 2569 being a By-Law to confirm the proceedings of the October 5, 2026, Regular Meeting of Council of the Corporation of the Town of Essex was read a first time and a second time and provisionally adopted on October 5, 2026.