Council Meeting Highlights - June 2, 2025

Southern Ontario Live Steamers (formerly Strathroy Railroad Engineers) are set for their Grand Opening on June 14th, 2025

Now in their sixth season operating the Sleepy Hollow Railway at the Strathroy Fair Grounds, the newly renamed Southern Ontario Live Steamers presented their latest updates to Council on Monday evening.

The railway continues to grow each year, with rising ridership, expanded tracks, and increased volunteer support — now 15 active members. Special events like Ribfest, Rail Safety Day, and Spooky Saturday each draw around 1,000 riders. Spooky Saturday, run in partnership with municipal staff, has become a cherished family tradition offering a safe, inclusive Halloween experience.

This year’s grand opening is set for Saturday, June 14.

311 Ellor Street – Temporary Zoning By-law Extension

Council considered a request to extend a temporary zoning by-law for 311 Ellor Street, originally approved in 2023 to allow continued industrial operations while the operator transitioned to a new location. Although the company  (Burnbrae Farms) has since purchased a new property, delays in the building permit process have slowed the move.

To allow time for construction and relocation, an extension of the temporary by-law until 2026 was requested. Some neighbouring residents voiced concerns about the extended timeline and traffic impacts; however, Council acknowledged that progress toward relocation is ongoing.

The extension was approved, with the added condition that the by-law will terminate upon the sale of either property. Staff have been directed to bring forward the updated by-law amendment. The full report is available as part of the June 2nd Council agenda on the municipal website.

Caradoc Closed Landfill Update

Council received a report on the closed Caradoc Landfill site. Groundwater testing showed signs of leachate, prompting discussion around monitoring and environmental responsibility. While some residents raised concerns about long-term impacts, BM Ross has proposed two monitoring plans — one for municipal property, and a second that could include neighbouring private lands, pending consent. Council requested the ‘Closure Plan’ in order to make further decisions on this moving forward.

The full report and recorded discussion is available via the June 2nd Council agenda webpage.

Land Needs Analysis for Mount Brydges Municipal Complex

Mayor Colin Grantham brought a motion that staff be directed to complete a land needs analysis for a Municipal Complex in Mount Brydges, such a complex to include but not limited to a future arena and firehall. 

While a new firehall is already identified in the Municipality’s Strategic Plan, determining the land requirements is a key next step in advancing the broader vision for these two potential facilities. The motion aims to initiate a discussion on land availability and explore options for securing appropriate future site(s).

The motion was carried.

450 Head Street Development

An application proposes rezoning from Low Density Residential (R1) to a site-specific Medium Density Residential (R2-32) zone to allow construction of 8 townhouse units, exceeding the current limit of 6 units. The report addresses background information and community feedback from the public meeting. Concerns raised include access via Abagail Street, increased density, neighbourhood character, servicing, and impact on the streetscape.

Fire Station Locations

Interim Fire Chief Brad Bigrigg recommended to Council that two stations are planned for the future in both Mount Brydges and Melbourne settlement area. It was briefly discussed that these stations should be placed in strategic areas that would benefit other communities and Municipalities that are in the nearby settlement areas and allow for faster response times in relation to time and distance.

Beech Street Reconstruction Update

On September 16, 2024, Council awarded the Beech Street Engineering Services contract to BM Ross and Associates Limited. Design work commenced immediately, with an anticipated construction start in Q2 or Q3 2025. During the November 12, 2024 Finance Committee meeting, the Engineering and Public Works Department included the Beech Street Reconstruction project in the "2025 Proposed Draft Capital – Final" budget, requesting $1,500,000 for construction. This project was subsequently removed from the 2025 Capital Plan through the budget deliberation process. Following changes to the 2025 Capital Plan, the Municipality informed its Engineering Consultant, BM Ross, that construction would be deferred to 2026. BM Ross was instructed to continue design work to ensure the project is tender-ready for 2026 and hold off on supporting hydrogeological works until later in the project. 

Based on this timeframe, it would likely be recommended to defer the start of construction until late Q1 or Q2 2026 in order to allow time for approvals and to avoid winter work.

HAF Accelerator Fund Update

Council received report ED 2025-05 – HAF Accelerator Fund Update (May 2025) for information. Council was asked to approve two parcels of land for consideration for Affordable Housing projects with one located at Bella and Francis and the other located at 480 Saulsbury Street in Strathroy , (the park/play structure is proposed to remain in place and would not be deemed surplus as part of this initiative.)

(Correction 6/11: Council approved the one parcel of land for consideration for Affordable Housing project located at Bella and Francis Street in Strathroy. They did not approve the 480 Saulsbury Street location.

Once the lands are deemed surplus, the next steps would be to develop a program to market and sell the lands for affordable housing projects.

For complete and detailed information, we encourage you to review the official meeting minutes, reports and watch the recorded meeting video.

Click Here to View the full June 2nd Meeting Agenda & Recorded Video 

Upcoming Regular Council Meetings

• Council Meeting - Monday, June 16, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. - Council Chamber/Hybrid

• Council Meeting - Monday, July 7, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. - Council Chamber/Hybrid

• Council Meeting - Monday, July 21, 2025 @ 6:00 p.m. - Council Chamber/Hybrid

Review all upcoming Council & Committee Meeting dates at www.strathroy-caradoc.ca/meetings. Upcoming agendas are posted five days in advance of the meeting date.