Good Afternoon WORA Members,
We hope this note finds you well and Happy Thanksgiving!
We are pleased to share the latest erom newsletter with a lot of important local Community information. Of particular and more immediate importance, is the very first article on an upcoming Hybrid Special Council Meeting/Education Session of the enforcement and prosecution related to Short Term Rentals in OM. Please see details below or visit the OM website for details on this upcoming event this Wednesday, October 16th at 4:30 pm and lend your support and voice on where you stand on this issue.
Sincerely,
The WORA Executive
Oro-Medonte, Ontario
L0L 2E0
———- Forwarded message ———
From: erom <erom.info4U@176739350.mailchimpapp.com>
Date: Sun, Oct 13, 2024 at 12:42 PM
Subject: Important Information Session (STRs)
To: <woraratepayers@gmail.com>
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The objective of erom is to promote a healthy and sustainable community by informing and engaging residents on matters important to all of us in Oro-MedonteWe encourage everyone to read the Notice below and attend this important session either in person or virtually. The public will be able to ask questions and make comments. If you are planning to attend virtually please register at Request for Public Participation Form
PUBLIC NOTICE RE: SHORT TERM RENTALS
By Township of Oro-Medonte
Oro-Medonte Council will be holding a hybrid Special Council Meeting/Education Session pertaining to enforcement/prosecution matters relating to Short Term Rental Accommodations (STRs) under the Township of Oro-Medonte Comprehensive Zoning By-law 97-95, on October 16, 2024 commencing at 4:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend in person or virtually.
The purpose of the meeting is to inform Council on the challenges of prosecuting STRs using Zoning By-law provisions. Although this is an education session for members of Council, the public are welcome to attend in person or virtually, and ask questions with advanced registration either on-line or in person at the meeting.
If you wish to ask questions by participating virtually, please visit Public Participation | Township of Oro-Medonte to access the Request for Public Participation Form. A meeting link will be provided to you in advance. If your preference is to ask questions/participate in the meeting in person, registration will be accommodated in the Council Chamber prior to commencement of the meeting. Please note in person attendance is subject to capacity limitations within the Council Chamber.
The Township will livestream this Special Council Meeting/Education Session over the internet for public viewing through the Township’s YouTube Channel. This will give you the opportunity to observe the proceedings of the meeting. The meeting will be available on the Township’s YouTube Channel following conclusion for viewing at a later time.
It has been the Township’s position that STRs are only permitted in certain zone categories. The Township’s Zoning By-law No. 97-95 permits STRs in Village Resort Commercial within the Village (V1) and Residential Two, exception 123 (RS-123) Zones. They are not permitted in other residential zones. Ontario Land Tribunal (OLT) Decision OLT-22-002196, supported by Divisional Court Decision DC-23-00001394 rescinded By-law No. 2020-073, which attempted to introduce a definition of Commercial Accommodation to the Zoning By-law to supplement the current language in the By-law.
In rescinding the By-law amendment, the OLT suggested that the existing language in the Zoning By-law was sufficient to prosecute commercial short term rentals operating in residential zones. The intent of the education session is to provide experiential accounts by two subject matter experts regarding the use of Zoning By-laws as an enforcement tool along with other regulatory considerations.
Paul Dray, a prosecutor with more than 35 years of experience in prosecuting Provincial offense matters before the Courts on behalf of municipalities, will speak to Council on his experiences with STR prosecutions. Paul Demelo, a lawyer in private practice with expertise in municipal planning law will speak on the City of Niagara Falls approach to addressing STRs.
(Copied from the Township of Oro-Medonte’s web site)
Have you seen these signs in Oro-Medonte?
The Township is taking proactive steps to establish Community Safety Zones (CSZ’s) throughout identified areas in Oro-Medonte, with the goal of changing driver behaviour, including speed reduction. The Highway Traffic Act defines a CSZ as “a section of roadway where public safety is of special concern.” Through dedicated signage, these zones make drivers aware they are within an area where traffic safety violations can result in doubling of fines, and demerit points associated with speeding or sign violations.
CSZ’s will be established in areas throughout the community which are of high priority and obvious to drivers and pedestrians. The Township considered a number of factors when determining appropriate locations for the establishment of CSZ’s in Oro-Medonte including areas:
- adjacent to elementary or secondary schools;
- adjacent to senior’s centres and institutions;
- adjacent to hospitals or medical centres; and
- adjacent to township-wide/regional parks and community parks as defined in the Township’s Parks and Recreation Master Plan.
To review the By-Law and the a list of the locations please go to Community Safety Zone By-Law
(Copied from the Township of Oro-Medonte’s web site)
ORO-MEDONTE TOWNSHIP NEWS AND EVENTS
2024 Public Skating Schedule for the Oro-Medonte Community Arena.Cleaning out your closets? Bring your gently used winter coats to our office or the Arena for our Annual Winter Coat Drive!
Coats will be accepted until November 8th and delivered to the Orillia Learning Centre. All coats will be cleaned by Laundry Lounge.If you have a concern related to short-term accommodations in the Township, please e-mail staconcerns@oro-medonte.ca.
All concerns associated with noise disruptions outside of regular business hours should be directed to the after-hours service by calling (705) 487-2171 and following the automated prompts.
It is important to leave a voicemail for the on-call Municipal Law Enforcement Officer – your call will be returned promptly and handled accordingly.
DID YOU KNOW
For the majority of the year, Town Council has 2 Council meetings per month. Normally these meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month. Development Services Committee meet on the first Wednesday of the month.
We encourage everyone to subscribe to receive the Agendas for Council and Development Services Meetings Click Here to subscribe to the Agendas.
These meetings can be viewed on the Township’s YouTube channel during or following each meeting. You can also obtain a video copy of a Council Meeting by completing and submitting a request form. Please note due to the size of video files and for security and privacy purposes, the Township requires you provide a new, unused USB stick a minimum of 8 GB in size.
SPEAK UP AND LET COUNCIL KNOW WHAT YOU THINKYou can have your say about any item on the Council meeting agenda by sending your comments, in advance of the meeting, through an email containing your name, address and your comments on the matter to agendacomment@oro-medonte.ca or by participating in Open Forum (either virtually or in person). To participate in Open Forum fill out this Participation Form
HOW TO STAY INFORMED ABOUT YOUR TOWNSHIP
We encourage everyone to subscribe to receive the Agenda for Council and Development Services meeting agendas
Click here to subscribe to the agendas
You can also sign up for our Council Highlights & Township Updates Newsletter. Stay up-to-date with Council meetings, important topics of discussion, and relevant information by subscribing to the Council Highlights & Township Updates e-newsletter.Click Here to subscribe to the e-newsletters
If you have a community not-for-profit event you like to promote in our e-news or on our Facebook page please send the details to erom.info4u@gmail.com
An evening with Hawkins Johnston and Friends
Saturday November 16 2024“It is hard to believe that it has been almost 5 years since I performed a solo concert. In the meantime, I have been playing with other people and writing more songs. This evening is about performing my original songs written over the last two decades. I have invited some friends to help me put on a show for you.
We are at the historic Oro Medonte Community Hall, 31 Ridge Road East, Oro Medonte. Doors open at 7:00 pm and the concert is 7:30 to 9:30 pm.
Admission is $20.00 payable at the door. Kids are free. All proceeds will be donated to Barrie Hospice and The Sharing Place Food Centre in Orillia. Please RSVP to johnston@rogers.com . This is important for setting up this intimate venue. See you November.”
HAWKESTONE HALL
The YMCA of Simcoe/Muskoka is offering an outdoor education program at the Hawkestone Hall – Escape in the Landscape. October 19th to December 7th from 10am to 12pm.
During this program, your child will:
Learn about the land and how to be environmental caretakers
Connect with nature and build self-confidence
Improve their mental and physical health
Be curious, resilient, and motivated to make a difference
For more information and to register, please visit: https://ow.ly/Apqz50TuGno
WORA 