Committees of Council

Chemtura Public Advisory Committee (CPAC)

Council formed the Chemtura Public Advisory Committee (CPAC) to address past, current, and potential environmental concerns with the operations of Chemtura Co. in Elmira. Council dissolved CPAC in 2016 and replaced it with the Remediation Advisory Committee (RAC) and the Technical Advisory Group (TAG). The Clerk's Department will provide copies of past agendas and minutes of CPAC on request. You can find more information about RAC and TAG below.

Committee of Adjustment

The Committee of Adjustment makes decisions on all minor variance and consent applications (severances, easements, right-of-ways). The committee meets monthly in accordance with the meeting and submission calendar unless there are no applications.

You can download the committee's Terms of Reference to learn more about how they run. You can access minutes and agendas for this committee by visiting the Committees of Council meeting calendar.

If you would like more information about the Committee of Adjustment or past meetings, please see the contact information listed below. 

Minor Variance Applications

A minor variance is an application to amend the zoning by-law when a proposed used does not conform to the zoning but follows its general intent. Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff prior to submitting an application for consideration by the Committee of Adjustment. Township planning staff will decide if a minor variance is the best way to proceed. If you need more details about the minor variance process, download the minor variance brochure.

Consent (severance) Applications

Property owners can submit a consent application to do any of the following:

• divide their land for the purposes of selling it;
• make a lot line adjustment between properties;
• create an easement or right of way, or
• lease land for 21 years or more;

Property owners are advised to consult with Planning staff prior to submitting a consent (severance) application for consideration by the Committee of Adjustment. If you need more details about consent applications, download the consent application brochure.

Sign Variances

The Committee of Adjustment also acts as the Sign Variance Committee to regulate signs on private property. If you have a sign that does not meet the standards of the Sign By-law, you will need to submit a sign variance application to the committee.

Dog Designation Appeal Committee

The purpose of the committee is to hear a dog owner's appeals to the designation of a dog as potentially dangerous or dangerous by a Municipal Law Enforcement Officer or agent in accordance to the Township's Animal Control By-law 31-2013. You can download the committee's Terms of Reference to learn more about how they run.

The committee may uphold or rescind the Municipal Law Enforcement Officer's designation of the dog or substitute its own designation of the dog or requirements, restrictions or conditions of the dog owner.

Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee (GRAAC) 

GRAAC is a committee designed to address the needs of local Ontarians with disabilities. People with disabilities make up 50% of the membership of this committee along with representatives from the following municipalities:

• Woolwich
• Wellesley
• North Dumfries
• Kitchener
• Waterloo

The committee is currently recruiting new members for a four-year term beginning January 2021. For more information and to apply, please view the Application Form. The application deadline has been extended to October 30, 2020.

You can visit the Grand River Accessibility Advisory Committee website for more information.

Property Standards Committee

The Property Standards Committee hears appeals of Orders to Comply issued to bring a property into compliance with the Property Standards By-law. The committee can quash, uphold, or modify an order. We call meetings of the Property Standards Committee on an as-needed basis. You can download the committee's Terms of Reference to learn more about how they run.

Remediation Advisory Committee (RAC) and Technical Advisory Group (TAG)

The Remediation Advisory Committee (RAC) and Technical Advisory Group (TAG) replaced CPAC in 2015 and comment on the remediation process at LANXESS in Elmira.

TAG is a citizen body formed to review technical advice from qualified persons and provide advice and recommendations to RAC. RAC is an advisory body that includes interested groups such as the Ministry of Environment and Climate Control (MoECC) and Chemtura and reports to Council. For more information about how these committees run, download the RAC and TAG Terms of Reference and the Township of Woolwich Procedural By-law.

Written Submissions (TAG)

Members of the public are welcome to give written submissions to TAG. They must be:

• technically sound,
• no more than one page long, and
• apply to issues not addressed or fully addressed in TAG meetings or work plans.

Written submissions should be sent to the TAG Support Specialist or dropped-off to their attention at the Township Office in Elmira. Submissions must be received a minimum of eight (8) business days prior to the meeting for inclusion on the agenda.

Resources and Correspondence Received

• Elmira Municipal Aquifer Conceptual Site Model Document -GHD
• Tiffany Svensson's conflict of interest statement
• Correspondence received in 2023
• Correspondence received in 2022
• Correspondence received in 2021
• Correspondence received 2020
• Correspondence received 2019
• Correspondence received 2018
• Correspondence received 2017
• Correspondence received 2016
• East side surficial soil and groundwater investigation report - GHD
• Canadian sediment quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life - DDT, DDE and DDD
• Protocol for the derivation of Canadian sediment quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life - CCME EPC-98E
• Canadian sediment quality guidelines for the protection of aquatic life - Polychlorinated dioxins and furans
• Remedial action plan design review - GHD

Agendas and Minutes

You can view RAC and TAG agendas and minutes by visiting the Committees of Council calendar. If you would like information from past CPAC, RAC, and TAG meetings, please see the contact information listed below.

Woolwich Environmental Advisory Committee (WEAC)

The Woolwich Environmental Advisory Committee was established in 2022 with the purpose of expert members providing both Council and Township staff with comments, advice, and guidance on how to protect, maintain, and enhance the natural environment. WEAC also meets to ensure climate protection and sustainability is achieved in Woolwich Township.

The Committee is comprised of 4-6 expert members and meets every other month. For more information about the Committee please download the Terms of Reference.

Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Committee (TWEEC)

Learn more about TWEEC and the amazing work this group does by viewing the 33,000 Trees and Counting video! 

The goal of TWEEC is to improve the environment in Woolwich through the Council-approved Township of Woolwich Environmental Enhancement Plan. TWEEC has run many green activities and programs since it began in 2004, such as:

• tree planting through the Trees for Woolwich program
• community clean up days
• yellow fish road program
• phragmites pilot program
• pesticide alternative workshop
• developed Woolwich CARES green business award. Complete the online Woolwich CARES nomination form to nominate a local business
• Elmira Green Infrastructure Report was prepared for TWEEC by Natural Resource Solutions Inc.

If you would like to register the trees you have planted towards the total count in Woolwich visit the Trees for Woolwich count survey. 

Looking to donate? Donations can be done online at Trees for Woolwich Donation for tree planting. 

You can find more information about this committee by downloading the TWEEC's Terms of Reference. TWEEC posts news and events on the Woolwich Healthy Communities Website or on the News and Events Calendar. You can access minutes and agendas for this committee by visiting the Committees of Council meeting calendar.

If you would like information about TWEEC or past meetings, please email Ann Roberts or call 519-514-7027. 

Woolwich Heritage Committee

The Woolwich Heritage Committee was formed in 2015 to perform these tasks:

• Advise Council on cultural heritage matters;
• Advise Council on designation matters under the Ontario Heritage Act and listing new properties on the Township's Register of Heritage Properties;
• Promote cultural heritage awareness, education and conservation; and
• Recognize excellence in cultural heritage in the Township.

If you are interested in applying to become a member of this Committee please contact the Council and Committee Facilitator to obtain an application form, you can find more information about the Woolwich Heritage Committee by downloading the Heritage Committee's Terms of Reference.

Visit our Heritage Page  

Woolwich 2SLGBTQ+ Ad-hoc Working Group

The Woolwich 2SLGBTQ+ Ad-hoc Working Group was established in 2023 with the purpose of providing advice to Council on next-steps to make the Township more inclusive from the 2SLGBTQ+ perspective. The Group will consider specific initiatives such as a rainbow crosswalk and community events.

The Ad-hoc Working Group operates by recognizing the Township's commitment to create a safe, welcoming, and inclusive community for all residents and rejects all discrimination and hate directed toward any person or group of people guaranteed protection under the Ontario Human Rights Code. 

The Group is comprised of 4-12 members, meeting as needed to fulfill their mandate with two to four meetings expected. For more information on the Woolwich 2SLGBTQ+ Ad-hoc Working Group, please see their Terms of Reference.