Clearview Council Meeting 2026-02-23 | Part 2

Council greenlights Skydive Clearview proposal, directs staff to negotiate lease for Township-owned land

Planning · Standard

Council approved a motion directing staff to negotiate a three-year lease with Skydive Wasaga Beach for a portion of Township land at Klondike Park Road, and authorized the company to apply for a temporary zoning bylaw amendment at its own cost. The skydiving operation has been flying out of Edenvale for a decade and landing at the sports park; it now wants to consolidate at a site near the Klondike well.

Council voted unanimously to let Skydive Wasaga Beach formally relocate its landing zone to Township property near the Klondike Park well site, with a lease and zoning amendment to follow.

Melanie Case and Leslie Vargas, representing the operation, pitched the move as a rebrand and consolidation: the company has been "Skydive Clearview the whole time," they said, operating out of Edenvale aerodrome but landing elsewhere. The new site would be a 300-by-300-foot gravel landing zone on the north end of the Klondike property, well clear of the existing well infrastructure and housing.

The company claims it brings 4,000 visitors a year, each spending $120 to $180 beyond the cost of the jump—about $720,000 in annual spin-off. It promised world-class safety standards, charity support, and a full rebrand to "Skydive Clearview" within months. The operation already has a strong relationship with Transport Canada and uses solar power.

Staff confirmed the site could be leased without interfering with farming operations on the rest of the 44-acre parcel, and that the Township's engineer, Burnside, would coordinate with the operator during well construction. Director of Planning Derek .W confirmed a standard zoning bylaw amendment process will follow, including a public meeting.

Councillor MacArthur asked whether the company is incorporated (it is), and Deputy Mayor Van Staalduinen reminded the operator to connect with the Township's Economic Development officer. The only hitch: the operation will need to coordinate with Maple Reinders, the contractor building the Klondike well.

The motion passed unanimously. Council gave staff the green light to draft a lease with Township legal counsel, using a similar agreement the company had with Wasaga Beach as a template. The operator will cover all zoning application costs.

We've been doing this for a while and we do it very well. We have the highest requirements for instructors in the entire world.
— Skydive Wasaga Beach representative

We brought in over 4,000 visitors annually, each one spending an average of $120 to $180 per person while they're here. So we're looking at $720,000 a year worth of economic spin-off to the community.
— Skydive Wasaga Beach representative

I think Gord, people when the word gets out, the nice part about this, it could set an example of how we can do community projects in the future.
— Deputy Mayor

Development charges drop $8,000 for Stayner homes after $35M federal water grant

Budget · Major

Council held a statutory public meeting on updated development charges, which will see the DC for a single-detached home in Stayner fall from $46,000 to $38,000 thanks to a $35 million federal grant for the Klondike water project. The bylaw also reintroduces a charge for growth-related studies, adding $342 per unit Township-wide.

The Township's development charge consultant, Darryl Labs of Watson & Associates, presented an updated DC background study reflecting two major changes: the $35 million Housing Enabling Water Systems Fund grant for the Stayner well, and the reinstatement of charges for growth-related studies.

The Klondike water project's DC component dropped from $15,814 per single-detached unit to $7,499, cutting the total Stayner DC from just under $46,000 to $38,000. A "prepaid" rate of $6,564 is available if developers front-load project costs and avoid financing charges. Labs explained the Township had to factor in $4.2 million in bridge financing costs at 4.5 percent over 20 years, but that cost disappears if the development community steps up.

The study also reintroduced a $342-per-unit charge for growth-related studies—master plans, official plan work, and similar—after the province reversed its Bill 23 ban on such charges. Non-residential charges in Stayner dropped from $22.68 to $18.31 per square foot.

Five written questions came in from Antonio Martino of the Cortel Group, mostly about credit allocation and financial assumptions. Labs confirmed the Township is only required to combine water and wastewater credits; all other service credits remain at council's discretion. Treasurer Kelly McMillan confirmed the full $35 million grant will be received, covering 72 percent of the revised project cost.

Councillor MacArthur asked about the 18-month "rate freeze" window for approved developments; Planning Director Derek confirmed the clock starts at plan registration, not draft approval, meaning it won't speed up stalled subdivisions. Deputy Mayor Van Staalduinen noted the Township's updated charges remain mid-pack compared to neighbouring municipalities—well below Toronto's $156,000 single-detached DC.

No bylaw was passed; the study must sit on the website for 60 days before council can adopt it.

If all of the developers come to the table and finance the project and the Township doesn't need to finance it, that would be removed, and they would just pay the lower $6,400.
— Darryl Labs, Watson & Associates

I saw a report on the weekend that showed the development charges for the city of Toronto for a single family dwelling at $156,000. Is that correct?
— Deputy Mayor

Yeah, that would be correct.
— Darryl Labs, Watson & Associates

Council approves community-built bleachers project, bypassing standard procurement

Infrastructure · Standard

Council unanimously approved a plan for Creemore builder Gord Ziegel to manage construction of new bleachers at Gallon Park using community volunteers and donations, outside the Township's normal tendering process. The Township will lease a portion of the park to Ziegel's company, which will carry its own insurance and deliver engineer-stamped drawings.

Council picked option two of a staff report that allows local contractor Mountain Ridge Custom Homes to build new bleachers at Gallon Park under a management agreement, rather than through a standard municipal tender.

CAO John Ferguson explained the unusual arrangement: the Township can't allow volunteers on municipal property without direct supervision and WSIB coverage, so staff worked with legal counsel to devise a lease model. The Township will lease a small parcel of the park to Ziegel's numbered company, which will carry its own insurance, bring in volunteers, and deliver engineer-stamped drawings and a final certification.

Ziegel addressed council during public participation, pledging to deliver the project at no cost to the Township. He said he's already lined up subtrades and expects community fundraiser Zach's efforts will generate surplus funds, which he suggested could go toward a commemorative plaque recognizing donors. "I'm in it for the long haul," he said. "This is just an example of what our community can do when we get together."

The Township has already committed $10,000 for engineered designs by Burnside; Director of Parks and Recreation Terry confirmed those are underway. Ziegel will post a security deposit and manage all fundraising. One outstanding question: whether the Township can issue tax receipts for donations. CAO Ferguson said staff are still waiting for written confirmation from the Canada Revenue Agency and will send a formal query by mail.

Councillor MacArthur asked whether council was comfortable proceeding without the CRA answer; Ziegel said he's committed regardless. Deputy Mayor Van Staalduinen floated the idea of a future community tennis court project; Ziegel joked he'd have to sub that one out.

The motion passed unanimously. It's an acknowledgment that sometimes the community can build faster—and cheaper—than the municipality, as long as the liability is clear.

To work with citizens and local company that wants to make this project happen, we discussed it with our legal counsel and we would have to enter into a lease agreement.
— CAO

I'm almost 100% sure that I'm going to be able to deliver this at no cost to the community.
— Gord Ziegel

I would propose that we erect a plaque to commemorate their donations and their time to this event. This is just an example of what our community can do when we get together.
— Gord Ziegel

Resident calls for review of development fees, questions lot grading, hydro studies, and paving requirements

Delegations · Minor

Builder Gord Ziegel used public participation to call for a review of Township development rules he says add unnecessary costs, including lot grading studies, hydrological reports, and mandatory laneway paving in settlement areas. Deputy Mayor asked him to prepare a formal submission for staff review.

Creemore builder Gord Ziegel made an unscheduled pitch during public participation, urging council to cut "bleeding" costs in the development approval process. He argued that requirements like $10,000 lot grading and drainage studies, $5,000 hydrological assessments, and mandatory asphalt laneways in settlement areas are driving up housing costs and pushing families to food banks.

Ziegel said hydrological studies "won't guarantee that they have water" and should be replaced by well drillers' professional judgment. He questioned why settlement area laneways must be paved when gravel would save tens of thousands of dollars per home. "We need to set an example and be a leader in government and start cutting costs," he said.

Deputy Mayor Van Staalduinen cut him off gently, noting the presentation hadn't been scheduled and involves multiple levels of government—school boards, the county, and the Township. He asked Ziegel to prepare a written submission so staff can review the points in detail. Ziegel acknowledged he'd raised the issues with council before.

No motion followed. But the intervention puts development approval costs back on the radar, especially as the Township tries to encourage residential growth. Whether staff will recommend changes—or whether the rules are largely outside local control—remains to be seen.

Costs are too high. Things cost too much. The only place that I know to come to is our government. You guys are the only ones that can control our costs and we need to stop charging more for services.
— Gord Ziegel

We need to dedicate and commit to our people to reduce the costs in this Township. Our food bank use is way up. There's kids without food, clothing, shelter.
— Gord Ziegel

I think you're making some really good points on it but I think it would be more effective if we get the ability to work it through our departments first.
— Deputy Mayor

Council approves after-hours dog control contract, new HR assistant, and lame-duck delegation for election period

Staff · Minor

Council waved through a series of housekeeping items: a three-year after-hours animal control agreement with Interior Animal Control, a new full-time HR assistant funded from the tax stabilization reserve, and delegation of lame-duck authority to the CAO during the 2026 election period.

Three routine but necessary items landed on the consent portion of the agenda and passed unanimously.

First, council approved a three-year after-hours canine control services agreement with Interior Animal Control, effective April 1, 2026. The Clerk noted the Township used the service about seven times last year for actual dog pickups, but the contractor also handles inquiries and reunites lost dogs with owners, saving bylaw staff time. Councillor MacArthur noted the Township is getting a discount because the contractor also serves a neighbouring municipality.

Second, council added a full-time HR assistant position to the department, bringing the complement from two to three FTEs. The position will be funded from the tax stabilization reserve in 2026. No debate.

Third, council passed a bylaw delegating authority to the CAO during the "lame duck" period after nomination day (August 21) or election day (October 21) if council loses quorum or changes composition. The delegation covers hiring, firing, property sales over $50,000, and unbudgeted expenditures over the same threshold. Clerk Emma reminded council that strong mayor powers do not go into lame duck, so the mayor could still exercise those separately if they choose to reclaim them. The bylaw expires December 7, 2026, when the new term begins.

All three motions passed without opposition. Standard election-year process management, with no surprises.

Strong mayor powers do not go into lame duck. Currently, those powers have been delegated back to our CAO and our Council, but if the mayor chooses to take those powers back, they can still use strong mayor powers.
— Clerk

Drinking water systems met all provincial standards in 2025, Honey Park system on track for 2027

Infrastructure · Standard

The Township's six drinking water systems all met Safe Drinking Water Act requirements in 2025, according to the annual compliance report presented by new water compliance coordinator Warren Raymond. The Honey Park system is expected to come online in September 2027 and will be integrated into the Stayner system.

Warren Raymond, the Township's new compliance and quality management coordinator, presented his first annual drinking water report to council, covering all six municipal systems from January to December 2025.

Raymond confirmed that all systems operated in compliance with provincial regulations, meeting water quality, testing, and operational performance standards. The reports are now posted on the Township website as required under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Deputy Mayor Van Staalduinen asked about the future Honey Park system, which Raymond said is expected to be completed and operational by September 2027. He clarified that Honey Park will not be treated as a separate drinking water system; it will be tied into and managed as part of the existing Stayner system, keeping the total count at six.

Director of Public Works Dan confirmed Raymond has done a "fantastic job" in his first year in the role, taking over from retired compliance officer Stephanie Shell. Council received the report for information with no questions. No issues, no violations, no drama—exactly what a drinking water report should look like.

All of our drinking water systems continue to operate effectively, meeting regulatory requirements while providing safe and high-quality drinking water to our community.
— Warren Raymond, Compliance Coordinator