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191114 PBC AGD The Corporation of the Town of Tillsonburg Parks, Beautification & Cemetery Advisory Committee Meeting November 14, 2019 9:00 a.m. Corporate Office – New Annex Board Room 200 Broadway, 2nd Floor, Suite 203 AGENDA 1. Call to Order 2. Adoption of Agenda Proposed Resolution #1 THAT the Agenda as prepared for the Parks, Beautification & Cemetery Advisory Committee meeting of November 14, 2019, be adopted. 3. Disclosures of Pecuniary Interest and the General Nature Thereof 4. Adoption of Minutes of Previous Meeting Proposed Resolution #2 THAT the Parks, Beautification & Cemetery Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes of Thursday, October 3, 2019, & Friday, October 29, 2019 be approved. 5. Presentations/Deputations None 6. General Business & Reports 6.1. Cemetery Bylaw Revisions; 6.2. Scattering Gardens Options; 6.3. Keep Tillsonburg Beautiful 2020; 6.4. TCT - Tillsonburg to Norwich; 7. Correspondence None 8. Other Business 9. Next Meeting Thursday, December 5, 2019, at 9:00a.m.at the Corporate Office Annex Suite 203 meeting room. 10. Adjournment Proposed Resolution #3 Moved by: Seconded by: THAT the November 14, 2019, Parks, Beautification & Cemetery Advisory Committee meeting be adjourned at _____ a.m. Report No: PW 2019-34 PUBLIC WORKS Council Date: July 10, 2019 Page 1 of 5 To: Warden and Members of County Council From: Director of Public Works Proposed Norwich to Tillsonburg Multi-use Recreational Trail RECOMMENDATIONS 1. That County Council authorize, in principle, the development of a multi-use recreational trail along the former railway corridor that extends from Norwich to Tillsonburg as described in Report No. PW 2019-34 entitled “Proposed Norwich to Tillsonburg Multi-use Recreation Trail”; 2. And further, that County Council authorize staff to undertake public consultation for the proposed Norwich to Tillsonburg Multi-use Recreational Trail; 3. And further, that County Council authorize staff to facilitate a trail partnership and develop a land lease agreement for the proposed Norwich to Tillsonburg multi-use recreational trail for County Council approval. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS The purpose of this report is to seek County Council authorization, in principle, to lease the County-owned former railway corridor from Norwich to Tillsonburg to the Oxford County Trails Council and the Township of Norwich for development of a multi-use recreational trail. Community members from Norwich Township propose to operate and maintain a proposed Norwich to Tillsonburg multi-use recreational trail. Township of Norwich Council passed a motion supporting development of the Norwich to Tillsonburg multi-use recreational trail, subject to certain conditions. Implementation Points Following Council authorization, staff will support the Norwich community trail group and the Oxford County Trails Council (OCTC) to develop a detailed work plan and coordinate a subsequent public consultation session to advise the public of the project and to address any adjacent land owner’s concerns. Report No: PW 2019-34 PUBLIC WORKS Council Date: July 10, 2019 Page 2 of 5 The Norwich community group will work to solicit additional community volunteers and will proceed with fundraising efforts. Staff will prepare a draft land lease agreement and will seek further authorization from County and Norwich Township Councils. Financial Impact There are no financial impacts beyond what has been approved in the County’s current year’s budget associated with the recommendations contained in this report. The Treasurer has reviewed this report and agrees with the financial impact information. Risks/Implications Adjacent landowners may have some concerns with the proposed trail project. These concerns will be identified through the public consultation process. Strategic Plan (2015-2018) County Council adopted the County of Oxford Strategic Plan (2015-2018) at its regular meeting held May 27, 2015. The initiative contained within this report supports the Values and Strategic Directions as set out in the Strategic Plan as it pertains to the following Strategic Directions: 1. ii. A County that Works Together – Enhance the quality of life for all of our citizens by: - Promoting community participation and life-long involvement in recreational and cultural activities 2. i. A County that is Well Connected – Improve travel options beyond the personal vehicle by: - Creating, enhancing and promoting the use of an integrated trail and bike path system - Promoting active transportation 3. ii. A County that Thinks Ahead and Wisely Shapes the Future – Implement development policies, land uses and community planning guidelines that: - Provides a policy framework which supports community sustainability, health and well- being - Supports healthy communities within the built environment 3. iii. A County that Thinks Ahead and Wisely Shapes the Future - Demonstrated commitment to sustainability by: - Ensuring that all significant decisions are informed by assessing all options with regard to the community, economic and environmental implications including: o Supporting the community implementation of the Community Sustainability Plan Report No: PW 2019-34 PUBLIC WORKS Council Date: July 10, 2019 Page 3 of 5 DISCUSSION Background In 2018, a group of community members from Norwich Township approached the County and expressed an interest in developing a multi-use recreational trail along the former railway corridor that extends from Norwich to Tillsonburg. They proposed the establishment of a community group that would oversee trail construction, operation and maintenance through their own fundraising and volunteer efforts. This former railway corridor, shown as Attachment 1, is owned by Oxford County and is currently being utilized for municipal infrastructure including the water transmission main that extends between Norwich and Springford. Since their initial inquiry, staff has provided support to the Norwich group and facilitated discussions with the Oxford County Trails Council and Hickson Trail Committee representatives to develop a conceptual work plan and a proposed trail partnership framework. The OCTC is a local non-profit organization that advocates trail development in Oxford County, with membership consisting of community volunteers, municipal representatives and other stakeholders. OCTC is a registered charitable organization and a member of the Ontario Trails Council, serving as an umbrella organization to support community trail groups in Oxford County. The County currently leases land to the OCTC for the Thames River Trail between Beachville and Woodstock, which is operated and maintained by the OCTC Thames River Trail sub-committee. The implementation of the Hickson Trail that extends along a former railway corridor from Woodstock to Hickson demonstrates a successful trail partnership where land owned by the Province is leased to the Township of East Zorra-Tavistock (EZT). The Hickson Trail Committee is a community volunteer group that raised their own funds for trail construction and is responsible for ongoing trail operation and maintenance. The Hickson Trail Committee is supported by EZT staff through management of funds, liability insurance, procurement of materials and issuance of tax receipts for any in-kind donations. Following discussions with OCTC and Hickson Trail Committee representatives, the Norwich group decided to pursue a trail partnership with OCTC, the County and the Township of Norwich. Staff suggested a potential land lease agreement with the Oxford County Trails Council and the Township of Norwich for the development of the proposed trail. The local Norwich group would serve as a sub-committee under the OCTC and would be responsible for trail construction, operation and maintenance, with municipal support from the County and the Township of Norwich, subject to approval from the respective Councils. The Norwich group developed a conceptual work plan for the proposed Norwich to Tillsonburg trail with guidance from staff. Trail construction along the corridor section from Norwich to Springford would require minimal work since the water transmission main construction in 2012/13 included the addition of a gravel access road, fencing and gates and field access crossings along the corridor. The corridor section from Springford to Tillsonburg would require more extensive work such as brushing, trail surfacing, as well as fencing and gates. Trail signage would be required along the entire section from Norwich to Tillsonburg. Report No: PW 2019-34 PUBLIC WORKS Council Date: July 10, 2019 Page 4 of 5 County Staff and a representative from the Norwich community group attended Norwich Township Council on June 4, 2019 as a delegation. The delegation presented the conceptual work plan and proposed trail partnership framework. The delegation advised they were not seeking financial support but rather support for the project, support during public consultation and potentially assistance with on-road signage. Subsequently, Norwich Council passed a resolution (Attachment 2) supporting the project, subject to financial and lease arrangements, and public comment and input received through the public consultation process. Comments The Oxford County Trails Master Plan (TMP) was adopted by County Council in 2014 (Report No. PW 2014-51) and was developed as a 20-year plan to guide and promote trail development and connectivity throughout the County. The TMP identifies the County’s role in trail development as a facilitator of trail partnerships to promote collaboration with municipal partners, stakeholders and community members for County-wide trail development. The TMP also identifies the Norwich to Tillsonburg corridor as an off-road trail opportunity and one of several priority trail projects. The proposed Norwich to Tillsonburg trail and trail partnership framework aligns with the vision and objectives of the TMP and would provide an additional 15 km to the County’s overall trail network. The trail would also provide off-road connectivity from Norwich to Tillsonburg linking to the Trans Canada Trail and the local trail network within Tillsonburg, as well as providing further connectivity to on-road cycling routes. The proposed trail partnership consisting of community members, OCTC and municipal partners represents a collaborative effort and an opportunity to engage community members and trail advocates for trail development. Municipal support will promote success without burdening municipal financial resources. Staff will facilitate the proposed trail partnership and develop a draft land lease agreement. Staff will also provide guidance to the Norwich group and OCTC to prepare a detailed work plan and costing for trail construction and ongoing maintenance. The Norwich group will continue to solicit additional community members and commence with fundraising efforts. A public consultation session will be held and is tentatively scheduled for Q4 2019. Following public consultation, staff will report to Norwich Township and County Councils with a detailed work plan and a draft agreement for authorization by respective Councils. If authorized, the Norwich group will proceed with project implementation with a trail opening target date of July 2020. Report No: PW 2019-34 PUBLIC WORKS Council Date: July 10, 2019 Page 5 of 5 Conclusions Staff support the development of a multi-use recreational trail along the former railway corridor from Norwich to Tillsonburg. The proposed trail will enhance the utilization of the corridor without impacting current and future uses for municipal infrastructure. Moreover, trail development will enhance corridor maintenance and deter unauthorized uses. The proposed trail supports the vision of the TMP and is further supported by Oxford County’s Strategic Plan and the Future Oxford Community Sustainability Plan to improve travel options beyond the personal vehicle, promote active transportation and move away from fossil fuels by enhancing low-carbon transportation options. SIGNATURES Report Author: Original signed by: Frank Gross, C. Tech Manager of Transportation and Waste Management Services Departmental Approval: Original signed by: David Simpson, P.Eng., PMP Director of Public Works Approved for submission: Original signed by: Peter M. Crockett, P.Eng. Chief Administrative Officer ATTACHMENTS Attachment 1: Map of Proposed Norwich to Tillsonburg Trail Attachment 2: Township of Norwich Proposed Trail Council Resolution 9959995999599919991999199913991999379937993299279920992099269953995199189951991899189919992099109913NORWICHMOUNTELGINOTTERVILLESPRINGFORDBROWNSVILLEHAWTREYCORNELLZENDAMILLDALEVERSCHOYLEDEREHAMCENTREOSTRANDERDELMERCULLODENPROPOSED NORWICHTO TILLSONBURG TRAILTOWNSHIP OFSOUTH-WESTOXFORDTOWNSHIP OFNORWICHTOWN OFTILLSONBURGMUNICIPALITYOF BAYHAM´0482KilometersNORFOLKCOUNTYOxford CountyKey PlanDocument Path: X:\_PROJECTS\NORWICH TOWNSHIP\C11-2019-PW 2019-34-NORWICH TILLSONBURG TRAIL\MAPPING\PROPOSED TCT NORWICH TO TILLSONBURG.mxd¯Proposed Norwich To Tillsonburg TrailNorwich-Springford( Water Transmission Main )Trans Canada Trail (TCT)