King Township Council Meeting - June 17, 2025
- JA
- 1 day ago
- 15 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
Last Tuesday's meeting covered a lot of important and interesting topics including Salt in Lake Simcoe, the new Asset Management Plan, updates to the Growth Plan, 326 Main St, a new pub at the Nobleton Community Hall and much more.
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Mayor's Comments
King has received two major awards for Artificial Intelligence. The E.A. Danby Award, presented by the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario, for outstanding performance and innovative practices in municipal administration. King also earned the 2025 MISA Ontario Excellence in Municipal Systems Award and is drawing attention from municipalities across the province seeking to replicate its success.
King has a variety of facilities available for rent. For a great outdoor event, there are a variety of shelters available at Cold Creek, Memorial Park, Nobleton Sports Park, and Pottageville Pavillion. You can book ice and rooms at Zancor. More info here.
To support the needs of an ageing population (and ageing in place) King Township is developing an Age-Friendly Action Plan. This will ensure that programs and services in King Township are flexible and responsive to the needs of the aging population, and that older adults ages 55+ have access to programs, facilities and infrastructure they require
to stay active, healthy and engaged in the local community. Click here to take the survey.
Indigenous People Day is June 27th - join us at 10:00am for a free Oil Infusion Online Workshop with Indigenous knowledge keeper and founder of Roots & Raven, Tanya Gluvakov. Learn about how to make your own infusions at home; and, participate in a Meet & Greet with Tanya Gluvakov to answer any of your harvesting, plant medicine, or oil infusion questions. Click here for more.
Canada Day in King will feature live musical performances from local bands, including Nobleton Victoria Day Battle of the Bands winner The Hellyaz, kicking off the show, and Eddie Currents who will open for headliner From the Hip; delicious food from diverse vendors; and, the “pièce de résistance”: a drone show! Tuesday, July 1 from 5pm to Dusk Memorial Park, 25 Doctor's Lane, King City
Summer camp is just around the corner. Choose from over 40 unique camps for ages 4 to 13 in the categories of arts and culture, culinary, sports, science and technology, the outdoors, special themes and swimming lessons.
Salt in the Lake Simcoe Watershed
In the 1970s, salt concentrations in Lake Simcoe were within natural levels. Since then, however, there has been a steady increase in salt levels across this large freshwater body—and if this trend continues, as current data suggests, we are on track to exceed critical ecological thresholds.
The red line on the graph above represents the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) guideline for chronic chloride exposure which is the point at which some sensitive species begin to experience negative impacts to their life cycles, including reproductive and developmental issues. This decline in species health has cascading effects throughout the lake’s food web. Rising salinity also contributes to increased lake stratification, making it harder for oxygen to reach bottom waters—a serious concern for bottom-dwelling species. Additionally, research shows that higher salt concentrations raise the risk of harmful algal blooms.
The acute exposure threshold is 640 mg/L, which can cause lethal effects to aquatic life in as little as 24 hours.
The chart below shows the percentage of water samples at the various Lake Simcoe monitoring stations that have exceeded both chronic (top number) and acute (bottom number) chloride guidelines.
You can see that the northeast quadrant - where this is a lower road density and smaller urban areas - has few samples exceeding the guidelines. In contrast, the areas in the red boxes representing Aurora, Newmarket, and Barrie have a high percentage of samples exceeding both chronic and acute thresholds.
The two monitoring stations in King Township are located at Schomberg and Kettleby Creek and shown as yellow circles on the map. Both stations report average chloride levels around 65 mg/L. The highest concentration recorded in Schomberg was approximately 208 mg/L, likely due to urban runoff from the village upstream, while Kettleby Creek peaked at 108 mg/L.
The most concerning site in the watershed is Western Creek in Newmarket, with average chloride levels of 94 mg/L and peaks up to 646 mg/L - well over the acute guideline. This area is highly urbanized (approximately 97%), including the major commercial zone around Yonge and Davis Drive with Upper Canada Mall and numerous large parking lots contributing to runoff.
To better track the situation, the LSRCA installed continuous monitoring probes at Western Creek, providing half-hourly data. The graph below shows chloride levels from January to April 2025. The yellow and red dotted lines indicate the chronic and acute guidelines, respectively.
During this period, typical of a Canadian winter with frequent storms, Western Creek’s water became saltier than the ocean. Alarmingly, in a review of 2024 data, chloride levels never dropped below the chronic guideline. More than 70% of the winter season exceeded the acute level, leading to the worst biological indicators recorded—including significant impacts on fish and macroinvertebrates, the foundation of the aquatic food web. This underscores the direct link between excessive salt use and ecological damage.
Less Salt, Same Safety
The LSRCA acknowledges that salt is necessary for winter safety in Ontario but emphasizes that better practices can reduce salt use without compromising safety. Understandably, contractors are concerned about liability, the cost of increased oversight, and whether lower salt use meets public expectations.
A persistent misconception is that a thick layer of crunchy salt underfoot equates to safety. In reality, tests conducted by the LSRCA show that excessive salting does not improve safety. Friction testing of walkways (where a score over 0.5 MU is considered safe) found that overly salted surfaces performed no better than properly shoveled ones. Interestingly, many indoor surfaces do not meet the 0.5 MU threshold either, yet they are commonly travelled without incident.
This raises an important question: Are we placing unrealistic expectations on winter maintenance contractors, inadvertently encouraging excessive salt use?
The LSRCA identified an ideal study site in an industrial park within the watershed, served by two different contractors. One used standard, high salt application rates regardless of conditions. The other followed best practices, including site monitoring and condition-specific application. Neither site experienced slip-and-fall incidents, but the contractor using best practices reduced material use by $40,000 annually.
Despite these successes, many contractors hesitate to adopt best practices, fearing lawsuits and increased insurance premiums. The LSRCA points to New Hampshire as a successful model, where contractors who complete state-recognized training and demonstrate adherence to best practices receive limited liability protection, are deemed to have met their duty of care.
Ontario can adopt a similar approach by ensuring contractors are properly trained, certified, and empowered to make sound decisions on salt use. Programs like Smart About Salt, already used in New Hampshire, exist here but lack formal recognition by the Provincial government despite there being a broad agreement among conservation authorities, municipalities, contractors, and clients that this is the right path forward.
To advance this, Councillor Asselstine introduced a motion that I proudly seconded. The motion calls on the Province of Ontario to:
Develop limited liability legislation for contractors who complete certified training and follow enforceable best management practices;
Establish a single, province-wide set of best management practices for snow and ice control;
Create and fund an advisory committee to guide the Province and municipalities on protecting freshwater resources.
The motion - which was passed by council - also commits King Township to obtaining Smart About Salt certification and continuing to improve its winter maintenance practices. Encouragingly, King’s Manager of Transportation already sits on the LSRCA Salt Working Group and is working to advance responsible salt management locally.
Together, these measures represent a critical step toward safeguarding Lake Simcoe and the health of our freshwater ecosystems for future generations.
Asset Management
In 2018, the Province introduced new regulations requiring all municipalities to develop an Asset Management Plan by July 1, 2025. The Plan must define levels of service and outline a long-term financial strategy to maintain and replace infrastructure.
While King Township has been building reserves, current savings are insufficient to cover the full replacement value of the Town’s infrastructure, which is estimated at $1.36 billion. In the 2025 approved budget, Council allocated $13.2 million towards tax-funded capital needs. However, a recent review identified that sustainable lifecycle funding requires $17.3 million annually, leaving an infrastructure funding gap of approximately $4.1 million per year.
Saving for future infrastructure needs promotes intergenerational equity by ensuring today’s residents contribute adequately to replacing the assets they use, rather than leaving the next generation with an unfair financial burden. To address this, Council approved a 1.99% tax increase to close the capital funding gap over a 15-year period. For a residential property assessed at $1 million, this translates to a $71.04 increase to the capital portion of the property tax bill.
A portion of this increase reflects a new level of service for Facilities, specifically the need for a Joint Operations Centre. Currently, King operates one Parks Depot and one Works Yard, housing equipment for mowing, ditching, grading, plowing, and materials such as salt, sand, and gravel. These facilities have been undersized for some time, and a larger, modern space is urgently needed to properly and safely accommodate staff and equipment. The updated Asset Management Plan includes the estimated $30 million replacement cost for this facility, which increases King’s operational floor area from 181 to 271 sq.ft/km—a standard staff report is consistent with comparable municipalities.
The Asset Management Plan also includes the ongoing conversion of 57.7 km of gravel roads to paved roads which would cost $25.8 million to replace. Formalizing this level of service into the Plan solidifies King's commitment to funding the ongoing conversion of gravel road network. This commitment represents 0.13% of the 1.99% tax increase—equivalent to $4 per year for a $1 million assessed property.
The good news is that King’s relatively new water and wastewater infrastructure is fully funded, so no tax increases are necessary to fund the replacement of these assets. Staff continue to work on completing the stormwater asset inventory—including ponds, culverts, ditches, and pipes—and will present a full report to Council in 2027, along with an updated funding strategy to address long-term stormwater management needs.
To help mitigate the tax impact, staff have recommended reducing the Pavement Condition Index target from 83.5 to 75, which remains acceptable for road quality but helps lower capital funding needs.
While Council is never eager to report a tax increase, it’s important to recognize that every municipality is facing similar challenges due to this provincial requirement. King’s approach remains consistent with neighbouring communities: Stouffville and Newmarket have both implemented a 2% dedicated capital levy, while Aurora has adopted a 1.9% increase. Other municipalities are still finalizing their figures and have yet to announce their rates.
Growth Management
This report is an updated version of the one presented to Council in February (see details here) and includes two significant changes: revised population distribution data and an updated assessment of Nobleton’s Designated Growth Area based on a new density target.
Since February, updated custom data from Statistics Canada has become available, prompting a revision to the population distribution. The most significant change affects Nobleton, where the population within the Nobleton Village Reserve (the broader boundary) was previously misclassified as rural rather than part of the Village itself. Correcting this increased Nobleton’s current population by approximately 530 people (a 7% increase). Smaller adjustments were also made to other areas, resulting in a slightly different population distribution, though the overall 2051 population forecast remains unchanged.
The second major change addresses the shortfall in Nobleton’s Designated Growth Area. The February report identified a need for 8 hectares of additional land, based on a proposed density of 50 people and jobs per hectare. However, Council did not support such a significant density increase and instead endorsed a more moderate target of 35 people and jobs per hectare. For context, King’s overall density is approximately 30 people and jobs per hectare, while recent developments such as King City East and Roselena Phase 2 in Schomberg are achieving 35.
The latest report reflects this revised density direction. However, the lower density means Nobleton now requires 30 hectares of additional Community Area land—nearly four times the amount initially projected.
Three options were presented to accommodate this shortfall:
Option 1 and 2 combined, with an extension of Option 1 westward to the Village boundary, providing approximately 33 hectares;
Options 1, 2, and 3 combined, for a total of approximately 31 hectares;
An expanded Option 3, utilizing the full 38-hectare parcel, with 30 hectares designated as Community Area land.
During the discussion, the Mayor indicated he does not support Option 1 and expressed a preference for Options 2 and 3. I commented that I favour Option 3, as it offers a logical way to integrate the existing neighbourhoods along Oliver Emmerson Avenue to the north and Diana Drive to the south.
The report, along with Council's feedback, has been referred back to staff for further review.
326 Main Street
Council Chambers were packed, largely due to the public interest in the Zoning By-law Amendment application for 326 Main Street. Staff recommended approval of the application, which proposed amendments to facilitate the development of a six-storey residential apartment building.
Council heard numerous well-reasoned, passionate objections from residents, and ultimately did not approve the application. Community concerns included the proposed building height, insufficient parking, potential impacts on the Dufferin Marsh, and broader disruptions to the character of the neighbourhood. While the proposal may have met technical planning requirements, it did not align with the expectations and standards of the community that Council is elected to represent.
A more modest development, such as the previously requested three-storey building, would likely address several of these concerns and better reflect the scale and character of the area.
By referring the application back to staff, Council has provided the applicant with an opportunity to revise the proposal. The applicant heard the community’s concerns and understands the work required to develop a plan that could earn the support of both Council and residents.
Nobleton Community Hall
I was pleased to hear that someone was interested in leasing the Hall—and absolutely delighted by the concept presented to Council. A group of three Nobleton residents—Rick Minicucci, Grand Knight of the Knights of Columbus Nobleton, along with Robert Forletta and Tom Dovgala—plan to convert the space into a new pub. In their words:
“Our motivation for opening this pub stems from the observation that many of our neighbours travel out of town for a meal or a drink. We want to provide an alternative that is closer to home. Our intention for the building is to preserve the historic charm while making the necessary improvements to insure it meets modern standards. This includes upgrading the electrical service, HVAC system, the structural integrity of the building, the handicap accessibility, and overall appearance. We have decided to name our establishment The Lion’s Den Sports Bar to honour the history of the Lion’s Hall. We plan to bring the township of King’s sports spirit to life in the pub, showcasing pictures, banners and any memorabilia we can acquire to represent our community’s teams. To give back to the community, The Lion’s Den Sports Bar will be sponsoring local hockey teams, baseball and soccer. In conclusion, we aim to enhance the old community hall with the Lion’s Den Sports Bar and be part of the first steps in developing a new town center.”
This proposal offers an exciting, community-focused use for an existing heritage building that is currently underutilized but remains a key landmark in the planned future core area of the Village of Nobleton. The applicants also confirmed their commitment to preserving the building’s heritage attributes listed on Ontario’s Heritage Registry, as well as retaining as much of the original interior character as possible during renovations.
Council approved the staff recommendation to negotiate a unique long-term lease agreement, allowing the Town to offset a portion of the rent in exchange for the substantial financial and physical investment being made—estimated to exceed $1.1 million.
15 Charles Street Severance Application
Council approved the Official Plan amendment for 15 Charles St. in King City to facilitate a severance to create one additional lot for infill residential development (totaling 2 residential lots).
The property is designated “Established Neighborhood” which is meant to recognize, maintain, and protect the character of existing low density residential neighbourhoods including new development and redevelopment. The Applicant was asking to amend the Official Plan as it applies to their lands to include site specific policies that provide a more specific and detailed definition of the “neighbourhood” in the context of the “Lot Creation in the Established Neighbourhood Designation” policies of the Plan.
"The Established Neighbourhood is a designation which is fundamentally for our older well-established neighbourhoods,” explained Gaspare Ritacca, Manager, Planning and Development, Township of King about the need for the Official Plan amendment. “But there are unique circumstances like a property that is at the fringe of that established neighbourhood fronting onto King Rd across the street from a four-story condominium building. There are circumstances where it might make sense to look at the uniqueness where the policies might not fit like a glove, where they may have if you went a bit further north into the neighbourhood. This is a fairly unique property despite the fact that it is also within the established neighbourhood. It's right on the fringe and it’s one that merits some unique consideration of the Official Plan policies.”
Mr. Ritacca also commented that this situation doesn’t introduce a precedent that could be used again. “There is no precedent element to this. We would look at everything on its own merit individually and we don't really point one to the other. That's just not the way the exercise works.”
Heritage Permit for Hambly House
The owner of the Hambly House, located at 6012 King Road, intends to undertake conservation works, requiring a heritage permit for approval. The current designation by-law (By-law 82-144) is outdated, lacking a statement of cultural heritage value, and a list of heritage attributes, which are required under the Ontario Heritage Act as per the 2005 amendments to the Ontario Heritage Act. Council approved updating the designation by-law to include the required statement of cultural heritage value and list of heritage attributes to provide clarity, and ensure that Planning Staff, the Heritage Advisory Committee, and Council can properly review and assess the proposed works to be undertaken.
Read the full Statement of Cultural Heritage Value here:
Farm 911 – Emily Project Access Point Program
The Farm 911 – Emily Project is an initiative aimed at improving emergency response in rural communities. By assigning civic addresses to farm fields and vacant rural properties, the program helps close a critical gap in emergency services—specifically, the challenge first responders face locating incidents in expansive rural areas, where properties are large and often have multiple entrances.
The Township of King was proud to be the first municipality to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with York Region in support of this program, including cost-sharing provisions for signage. A comprehensive implementation strategy has since been developed, which includes an online application process, interdepartmental coordination, a public communications campaign, and the introduction of a forthcoming address sign by-law.
The program operates through a cost-recovery model in partnership with York Region. The Township will initially cover the costs of signage and administration, with reimbursement provided through the Region’s $50-per-sign subsidy. Thanks to this subsidy, Farm 911 address signs will be offered to applicants at no cost.
All signs will be installed by Public Works staff to ensure they are properly located within the Township’s right of way. The Township will also cover the associated staffing costs for installation as an in-kind contribution to the program.
Fire Services Cost Recovery Enhancement
Council approved the single source contract be awarded to Fire Marque Inc. for a cost recovery program for firefighting costs on behalf of King Fire and Emergency Services. Most commercial and home insurance policies provide coverage for Fire Department charges under the insured peril clauses of the owner’s policy. The provisions for Fire Department expense coverage can range from $500 to $25,000.
Municipalities do not typically have the expertise to initiate claims for cost recovery from insurance companies related to fire incidents, however, there are external companies that provide this service on behalf of municipalities. In discussions with other York Region municipalities who have undertaken a similar review, and a subsequent procurement process, it was reported that Fire Marque Inc. was the successful proponent. Other municipalities using Fire Marque Inc. include Central York, Kitchener, Barrie, North Bay, Port Hope and Bradford, plus several smaller municipalities and Fire Departments in other provinces.
Fire Marque has developed “Indemnification Technology”, a trademarked program, to assist in accessing monies available through insurance companies by initiating claims on behalf of the municipality. Indemnification Technology maximizes the billing opportunities by invoicing insurance companies directly for costs of Fire Department attendance with respect to insured perils using pre-existing clauses within insurance policies. The Indemnification Technology program was created by Fire Marque Inc. and there are no comparable services offered in the marketplace.
Fire Marque Inc. provides this service based on a 70/30 division of the recoverable amount (70% to the municipality; 30% to Fire Marque Inc.). No expenses are incurred by the municipality if Fire Marque Inc. is not successful in their attempts to collect against an insurance policy. Under this program, no attempt will be made to collect any costs from any property owner who is not insured, and only if insurance coverage is available under the program. There is no impact to the owners of the policies, either through fees, claim limits, or policy cost adjustments. The 30% has been established as their standard and the same rate is paid by all municipalities that are part of the program. In consultation with other Fire Departments, KFES is unaware of any municipalities who have successfully undertaken this function in house. KFES is not equipped with the proper expertise to execute cost recoveries through the insurance industry.
The historical data below illustrating the potential billable incidents under this program over the past 3 years:
2024 – 4
2023 – 16
2022 – 25
Prebrick Draft Plan of Subdivision (Boynton Lands)
Council approved the applications for Regional and Township Official Plan Amendments together with applications for Zoning By-law Amendment and Draft Plan of Subdivision for the lands municipally known as 12805 Highway 27 (the old Boynton Brothers Sod Farm).
The application proposes to develop the property for a 416-lot residential plan of subdivision, which would also include parks, stormwater management blocks and natural heritage features and buffers. The Applications also provide for Mixed Use blocks which consider future commercial, office and medium density residential uses together with a secondary school site. Amendments to the Township Official Plan include providing for Light Industrial Uses and a Secondary School Site in the Mixed-Use Designation and reducing environmental buffers from non-significant features to 10 metres.
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