Council will honour a youth boxing champion and discuss issues including our sign by-law, our 2025 Tar and Chip program, golf carts in Lakewood and the Heritage Conservation District at our meeting on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
Youth Boxing Champ to be Recognized
Council will recognize Curtis Realba of Fighting Island Boxing Club for recently winning a Canadian championship!
The 14-year-old boxer traveled to Quebec City and took home gold in the U17 48 kg category!
Congratulations, Curtis!
Sign By-Law Back Before Council
Council will discuss a report on its Sign By-Law that it asked Administration to prepare after receiving complaints from multiple businesses, who felt the by-law was overly restrictive and affected customer traffic. Five delegations have signed up to speak on this issue.
The by-law, passed by Council in January, was meant, in part, to ensure that signs placed on public sidewalks are compliant with standards set out in the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). Those standards stipulate that sidewalks must be at least 1.5 metres wide and be free of obstacles.
The report outlines potential revisions to the by-law that could allow for signs to be placed on public sidewalks while maintaining compliance.
The report also examines the possibility of revising the by-law to allow mobile signs to be temporarily located on public property in front of businesses.
The report says that: “Any approval for signage on public property must prioritize accessibility and safety. The AODA requires:
- A minimum clear path of 1.5 metres on sidewalks for pedestrian access.
- Signs must not pose tripping hazards, obscure visibility, or create obstructions near intersections, ramps, or driveways.
- Signs must be securely placed and weather-resistant to prevent tipping or shifting.
The report recommends against allowing mobile signs to remain year-round and points out that Amherstburg’s by-law allows them to be out for 200 days, which is the longest period for temporary signs among local municipalities.
2025 Tar and Chip Program
Council is being asked to award a $532,860 plus HST tender to lone bidder Shepley Road Maintenance Ltd. for the 2025 Tar and Chip Program.
Works to be completed this year include:
- Lowes Sideroad – Meloche Road to Fryer Street – $175,700
- South Sideroad – Concession 6 South to Concession 7 South – $124,650
- Concession 5 South – County Road 18 to Alma Street – $114,680
- Concession 7 South – County Road 18 to Alma Street – $117,830
Golf Cart Prohibition Signage Discussion on Tap
Council asked for a report on the potential for installing signage reminding residents of Lakewood that golf carts and dirt bikes are prohibited on roadways.
The report says that “the placement of signage in this are does not serve a meaningful risk management purpose and could actually be counter-productive.”
The report points out that off-road vehicles are already prohibited on Town roads in Amherstburg and recommends that any signage program encompass all areas impacted by the use of off-road vehicles and the matter discussed come Budget deliberations.
This could be an interesting debate. Council has received several emails from residents on opposite sides of this issue.
Heritage Conservation District Plan Up for Adoption
Council is being asked to approve the Amherstburg Heritage Conservation District Plan and to direct Administration to prepare a report outlining options for financial incentive programs for property owners under the Ontario Heritage Act.
Back in June of 2024, Council agreed with a recommendation from the Heritage Committee and designated a study area for the Heritage Conservation District Study and, in July of 2024, passed an interim control by-law while the study progressed.
In May, the Heritage Committee endorsed the Amherstburg Heritage Conservation Plan and also endorsed the draft Heritage Conservation Plan by-law Council will be discussing Monday night.
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