City Council overview package for September 28, 2026

• A by-law to implement vehicle load restrictions on a portion of Television Road;
• A presentation by the City's external auditors, Baker Tilly KDN LLP, on the Verbal Audit Findings Report and a recommendation to receive the report for information;
• A presentation by Ernst & Young LLP on the Effectiveness and Efficiency Review and a recommendation that the Effectiveness and Efficiency Review report be received for information;
• Receiving the Audit Report Letter for the Audit of the 2025 Consolidated Financial Statements of the City of Peterborough;
• Receiving the 2026 Audit Planning Report;
• Receiving the 2025 Consolidated Financial Report and associated recommendations;
• Receiving the June 30, 2026 Quarterly Financial Update Report (Unaudited) and associated recommendations;
• A recommendation by Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee to designate 51 London St. under the Ontario Heritage Act;
• A recommendation by Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee to designate 235 Aylmer St. N. under the Ontario Heritage Act;
• A recommendation by Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee to designate 1211 Monaghan Rd., the Prince of Wales Public School, under the Ontario Heritage Act;
• A recommendation by Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee to designate 725 Armour Rd., the Peterborough Rugby Club clubhouse, under the Ontario Heritage Act;
• Approving the concept plan for the Otonabee River Trail and Shoreline Improvement Project, and authorizing the City to complete detailed design and prepare tender-ready contract documents for the project;
• A Motion related to an Interim Control By-law to prohibit the use of land, buildings or structures for the use of new data centres and similar facilities;
• A Motion to direct staff to report back to Council with options to further support and implement the Sidewalk Market Zone objectives within the City's Central Area Urban Design Guidelines, including options for a simplified permitting or approval process for low-impact cafe seating located immediately adjacent to a storefront;
• A Motion to direct staff to report back on appropriate opportunities for the City of Peterborough to recognize and honour the life, work, and legacy of Robert Winslow, founder of 4th Line Theatre, in consultation with his family, 4th Line Theatre, and members of the local arts and cultural community;
• Report of Closed Session - That report of closed session from the Chief Administrative Officer on the Effectiveness and Efficiency Review, Labour Relations, be deferred;
• Report of Closed Session - That staff be authorized to proceed as outlined in closed session report of the Acting Commissioner of Community Services regarding a plan;
• Report of Closed Session - That staff be directed to proceed as outlined in closed session of the Commissioner, Legislative Services, respecting a proposed land acquisition;
• Report of Closed Session - Be it resolved that the update be received and the updated direction be approved, regarding verbal report, legal advice;
• Report of Closed Session - That staff be directed to proceed as outlined in closed session report of the Commissioner, Legislative Services, respecting Ontario Land Tribunal litigation; and
• Report of Closed Session - That Council receives a verbal update report on provincial land and development facilitator discussions for information purposes.

At the beginning of the Council meeting, Council made a ceremonial presentation to Dr. Keith Knott for his extensive contributions to his community, Curve Lake First Nation, as well as to neighboring municipalities, including the City of Peterborough. Knott, who was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada in 2019, was first elected to Curve Lake First Nation Council in 1972. He served as Chief from 1992-1996 and from 2000-2012. Knott has been an advocate for education and youth. He has supported, mentored, and inspired generations of people.

Council also presented Corporate Awards for Excellence in several categories to recognize the work of outstanding City of Peterborough employees.

Effectiveness and Efficiency Review

Council approved receiving for information an Effectiveness and Efficiency Review report.

Ernst & Young LLP (EY) reviewed City-provided data and documentation, assessed comparator municipalities, conducted consultations, assessed service demand and organizational structure, and identified efficiency opportunities as part of the process.

The Effectiveness and Efficiency Review identifies opportunities with a total estimated cumulative cost savings or cost avoidance ranging from $20.6M to $30.2M over a four-year period. Council decisions on the various identified opportunities would be needed to realize the estimated cost savings or cost avoidance. 

EY identified opportunities in various areas, such as Peterborough Regional Airport, the Art Gallery of Peterborough, Riverview Park and Zoo, Peterborough Fire Services false alarm responses, sidewalk snow clearing, and organizational structure and staffing.

It is anticipated that the Effectiveness and Efficiency Review report will be presented to Council as part of the Draft 2027 Budget for Council’s consideration.

Treasurer's Report

Council approved receiving the 2025 Consolidated Financial Report and associated recommendations.

The Treasurer’s Report and Five-Year Review are supplementary to the financial statements. They are used to summarize, highlight, and evaluate the financial health of the City and confirm its ability to meet future obligations. Although there is no separate audit report attached to these reports, they are generated from the same information used to compile the year-end financial statements.

Documents included with the report:

• Treasurer's Report on the 2025 Financial Statements for the Corporation of the City of Peterborough
• City of Peterborough - Five-Year Review
• Draft Consolidated Financial Statements, December 31, 2025

Quarterly Financial Update

Council approved receiving the June 30, 2026 Quarterly Financial Update Report (Unaudited) and associated recommendations.

A few highlights from the quarterly financial update include:

• The Tax Levy revenues at 99.6% of budget
• The Municipal Property Assessment Corporation (MPAC) has indicated that there will be two monthly supplementary assessment rolls issued from July through November.
• Transit fare revenues are forecast to be approximately $400,000 lower than budget for the year. Revenue was impacted by heavy snowfall, cold temperatures and ice in the period between January and March.
• Revenue from parking is projected to be approximately $286,000 higher than the budget of $1,930,932. The budget for 2026 was set at a more conservative level than in prior years driven by the continued trend of more people working remotely and a corresponding reduction in demand for on-street and facility parking in the downtown core.
• Landfill revenue is lower than expected. The main driver is reduced construction activity in the region, which results in less material being brought to the landfill. The landfill tipping revenue year-end estimate is $4.4 million, below the $4.8 million budget by approximately $400,000, of which $200,000 is expected to impact the City due to the 50% shared costs agreement with the County of Peterborough.
• In May 2025, the Province introduced O. Reg. 73/25, which amended O.Reg 282/98 to create Affordable Rental Housing Subclasses for multi-residential and new multi-residential properties. This regulation requires municipalities to adopt a By-Law by September 30, 2026, if the municipality wishes to make use of the new subclasses for the 2027 taxation year.
• Rezoning application fees are not expected to reach budgeted expectations. Fees have consistently been lower than budget and staff has made the decision to systematically lower the budget for subsequent years. Application volume has been below expectations.
• The 2026 budget for vehicle fuel was predicated on a weighted average cost per litre of $1.30. The actual weighted-average cost per litre to date in 2026 is $1.50, that variance is attributable to the on-going geo political factors in the middle east. Because of the higher than budgeted cost of fuel, it’s estimated fuel expenses will exceed budget by $411,000.

The Quarterly Financial Report includes the summary of net operating revenue and expenditures, departmental operating expenses schedule, and a report on capital works in progress.

Heritage designation: 51 London St.

Council approved a recommendation by Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee to designate 51 London St., the London Street Generating Station, under the Ontario Heritage Act.

51 London Street has cultural heritage value as a representative early twentieth century example of a hydroelectric generating station. The station combines Victorian and Edwardian architectural features with an innovative use of concrete and housed what were then state of the art turbine generator and electrical technology. The station was originally built to meet the production needs of the American Cereal Company (later the Quaker Oats Company). The station reflects the work of noted civil engineer Charles Keefer and respected contractor John O’Toole. Contextually, it is one of a number of early twentieth century landmark generating stations along the Otonabee River, contributing to Peterborough’s reputation as ‘the Electric City’.

Heritage designation: 235 Aylmer St. N.

Council approved a recommendation by Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee to designate 235 Aylmer St. N. under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Constructed in 1923, 235 Aylmer Street North has cultural heritage value as a landmark and a representative example of industrial design with Neoclassical influences. It is directly associated with Peterborough’s electrical expansion and contributes to the city’s reputation as the “Electric City” through its connection to Homer O. Fisk. Fisk held several key positions in the electrical field, including manager of the Peterborough Light and Power Company and the first Managing Director of Electricity for the Peterborough Utilities Commission.

Heritage designation: 1211 Monaghan Rd.

Council approved a recommendation by Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee to designate 1211 Monaghan Rd., the Prince of Wales Public School, under the Ontario Heritage Act.

Prince of Wales Public School at 1211 Monaghan Road had strong cultural heritage value as an excellent example of a Beaux-Arts civic building reflecting City Beautiful ideals through its formal design, landscaped setting, and refined architectural detailing. Completed in 1919 as a modern facility, it represents advances in early twentieth century school design. The school has served the surrounding community continuously since its opening and is associated with notable figures such as first principal Keith Wightman, later a superintendent of schools, and Kate Morris, the first woman elected to the local board of education and its first female chair. It also reflects the work of prominent local architect Walter R. L. Blackwell of Blackwell & Blackwell and builder R. Sheehy and Sons, a respected regional firm. Contextually, the school is a key landmark in Peterborough’s south-west end, helping define the character of the surrounding residential neighbourhood, maintaining strong historical and visual ties to nearby institutions such as Queen Mary Public School, and standing prominently along Monaghan Road as one of the city’s early twentieth century ‘royal’ schools.

Heritage designation: 725 Armour Rd.

Council approved a recommendation by Peterborough Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee to designate 725 Armour Rd., the Peterborough Rugby Club clubhouse, under the Ontario Heritage Act.

The Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club/Peterborough Rugby Club is an excellent example of Arts and Crafts style recreational architecture in Peterborough. Constructed in 1929-30, the clubhouse has significant historical and associative value as it yields significant information on the history of sport and recreation in Peterborough. It has strong associations with the history and legacy of two prominent sporting institutions, the Peterborough Lawn Bowling Club and the Peterborough Union Rugby Club. Built in Peterborough’s west end and later moved to Nicholls Oval, its construction using the ideals of the Arts and Crafts movement allow it to blend in seamlessly with the park landscape and other rustic built features. Though not built to function as the rugby clubhouse, it now stands on the historical home of rugby in Peterborough.

Otonabee River Trail and Shoreline Improvement Project

Council approved approving the concept plan for the Otonabee River Trail and Shoreline Improvement Project, and authorizing the City to complete detailed design and prepare tender-ready contract documents for the project.

The proposed project will reconstruct the Crescent Street corridor into a multimodal waterfront destination and complete an important link in the Little Lake Loop.

The new cross-section will include a south and eastbound one-way lane from Lake Street to Haggart Street, a two-way cycle-track, new sidewalks, dedicated parking zones, an area for gathering at the T-Warf, and enhance public space and shoreline features.

The Project is currently estimated at $7 million. This is a preliminary figure that will be refined through detailed design. Staff have pursued grant funding through and Active Transportation Fund as part of Canada’s National Active Transportation Strategy that could contribute up to 60% of eligible Active Transportation construction costs for these works. The 2025 Budget pre-committed in 2026 $2.66 million towards this project can be used as the City’s 40% contribution of the project.

Interim Control By-law - Data Centres

Whereas Section 38 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13, as amended, authorizes the Council of a municipality to pass an Interim Control By-law where the Council has directed that a review or study be undertaken in respect of land use planning policies in the municipality, or in any defined area or areas thereof;

Whereas Councils across Canada are receiving proposals for hyper-scale data centres before there have been adequate governance and regulatory measures established by municipalities based on evidence from local studies and environmental assessments about this class of facilities,

Whereas hyper-scale data centres have impacts that are not effectively contemplated in existing municipal land use and zoning regulations, including concerns related to noise, vibrations, climate emissions, land use compatibility, and water use;

Whereas Councils in Canada have passed (Oakville, Cumberland, Miramichi, Wellington, Sault Ste. Marie, and Rocky View) or are considering (Mississauga and Saskatoon) motions that studies be conducted by city staff to review Official Plan policies and Zoning By-law regulations, and analyze such regulations appropriate to mitigate the potential adverse effects of development relating to this class of infrastructure development,

Whereas Council deems it necessary for the City to anticipate hyper-scale data centre development and to establish appropriate land use planning policies and regulations in advance of such development;

Therefore be it resolved that:

City staff undertake a comprehensive review of the City's planning policies, land use regulations and development approval framework for major digital infrastructure facilities, including data centres (artificial intelligence, hyperscale, enterprise, cloud computing, and comparable uses).

The review include Official Plan policies and designations, Zoning By-law and/or Community Planning Permit By-law permissions as applicable, site plan standards, infrastructure, servicing, environmental, economic, employment, taxation, public health, climate, and national security considerations.

City staff evaluate legislative tools to regulate operational impacts including noise, water, energy, emissions, heat generation and administrative penalties where appropriate.

City staff report on opportunities for public reporting respecting energy, water, environmental performance where legally permissible.

City staff undertake comprehensive public engagement as part of the review.  

City staff provide an interim report setting out the proposed study scope and consultation strategy, based on current data and existing processes, and presenting Council with options to refine or adjust the scope of the study.

City staff return to Council with recommendations for implementation, such as Official Plan and land use regulation amendments, site plan guidelines, etc.

Should an application for a planning approval or building permit for a 50MW or larger data centre be received prior to completion of above-noted review, City staff is directed to schedule a special meeting of Council within seven days of the application’s receipt to consider an Interim Control By-law pursuant to section 38 of the Planning Act taking the following form:

Being an Interim Control By-law to prohibit the use of land, buildings or structures for the purpose of new data centres and similar facilities, of The Corporation of the City of Peterborough under Section 38 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. P. 13, as amended

Whereas Section 38 of the Planning Act, R.S.O. 1990, c.P.13, as amended, authorizes the Council of a municipality to pass an Interim Control By-law where the Council has directed that a review or study be undertaken in respect of land use planning policies in the municipality, or in any defined area or areas thereof;

And Whereas Councils across Canada are receiving proposals for hyper-scale data centres before there have been adequate governance and regulatory measures established by municipalities based on evidence from local studies and environmental assessments about this class of facilities,

And Whereas hyper-scale data centres have impacts that are not effectively contemplated in existing municipal land use and zoning regulations, including concerns related to noise, vibrations, climate emissions, land use compatibility, and water use;

And Whereas on 28 September 2026, Council passed a resolution directing that a study be undertaken for major digital infrastructure facilities, including data centres (artificial intelligence, hyperscale, enterprise, cloud computing, and comparable uses) within;

And Whereas Council has deemed it necessary and expedient to pass this Interim Control By-law to provide the City with time to undertake the study referenced above;

Now Therefore, The Corporation of the City of Peterborough by the Council thereof hereby enacts as follows:

For the purposes of this By-law:

“Council” means the Council of The Corporation of the City of Peterborough

“Data Centre” means a hyper-scale facility primarily used for the remote storage, processing and distribution of data with more than 50 MW of load.

“Interim Control Area” shall mean those lands, designated as General Employment, Prestige Employment and Major Institution in the City of Peterborough Official Plan, and,

“City” shall mean The Corporation of the City of Peterborough;

The provisions of this By-law shall only apply to the Interim Control Area.

Notwithstanding any other By-law to the contrary, no person shall, within the Interim Control Area use any land, building or structure including any expansion or addition to an existing use, building, or structure, for the purpose of a Data Centre, except for a Data Centre use that lawfully existed on the date of the passage of this By-law as long as it continues to be used for such purpose.

If any provision or requirement of this By-law or the application thereof to any person shall to any extent be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this By-law or the application of such provision or requirement to all persons other than those to which it is held to be invalid or unenforceable, shall not be affected thereby, and each provision and requirement of this By-law shall be separately valid and enforceable to the fullest extent permitted by law.

This By-law shall come into force and take effect immediately upon its passing by Council and shall be in effect until 11:59 p.m. local time on one year from the date of passage, unless otherwise extended in accordance with the provisions of the Planning Act, R.S.O., 1990, c.P.13, as amended.

Television Road load restriction by-law

Council approved a by-law to implement load restrictions on a portion of Television Road within the City of Peterborough until repairs have been completed.

The Television Road Bridge over Meade Creek is planned for replacement, with construction scheduled to commence in 2027. During construction of the new bridge, the intent is to keep the existing bridge open for regular traffic and construction vehicles.

An assessment of the existing bridge and identified deterioration of the bridge support beams. Based on this assessment, temporary vehicle load restrictions were identified for the bridge, with the following maximum permitted gross vehicle weights:

• Single Vehicle Unit: 9 tonnes
• Two Vehicle Unit: 17 tonnes
• Three Vehicle Unit: 23 tonnes

The temporary vehicle load restriction was implemented on August 4, 2026 and is currently in effect along with accompanying advisory signage. The by-law approved by Council formalizes the temporary vehicle load restriction until the short-term repairs are completed.

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