Dispute centred on whether Harry Seeley Drive lands should be preserved for future parkland or remain available for other uses
An hour-long council debate over democracy, community parkland and Strong Mayor Powers ended with Mayor Arie Hoogenboom’s veto intact Monday after councillors failed to secure the six votes needed to overturn it.
It all happened Monday, June 22 during a special committee of the whole meeting.
Coun. Paula Banks’ motion to override the veto of By-law 2026-59 received five votes in favour, one short of the threshold required under provincial legislation. The result leaves the mayor’s veto in place and halts council’s plan to begin rezoning township-owned lands on Harry Seeley Drive in Elgin from Rural to Open Space.
The lands have become the focus of a debate over whether they should be preserved for future parkland and recreational use or remain available for other potential uses, including housing.
Banks said the issue was about respecting a decision previously made by council after hearing from the Elgin Community Enhancement Committee (CEC) and local residents.
“To me, this just boils down to democracy,” Banks said. “The majority of council made a decision on this property, and we followed the request of the Elgin CEC and the community.”
Supporters of the rezoning argued the Open Space designation would allow the community to begin planning for future recreational uses and would not predetermine exactly what would be built on the property.
Coun. Sue Dunfield said residents have repeatedly asked for dedicated parkland in Elgin.
“I would like this council to go along with the people in Elgin who are asking that a park be provided to them,” she said.
Deputy Mayor Jeff Banks questioned the need to preserve future housing options on the property, noting previous efforts to market the lands had not attracted buyers.
“We did try to offer it up before,” he said. “I don’t see a big rush of people trying to build in Elgin.”
Before voting on the override motion, council agreed to suspend part of its procedural bylaw to hear an unscheduled delegation from Elgin CEC member Jordan DeLong.
DeLong said the request for parkland originated with residents, including seniors living near the property, and not solely from the committee.
“We’re one of the last areas in the township with no recreational space other than our rink,” he said.
DeLong said community discussions have already begun around possible future uses, including playground equipment, a multi-purpose court, picnic areas, walking trails and other amenities.
Not all councillors were convinced the Open Space designation was the best path forward.
Coun. Dustin Bulloch said he supports creating additional recreational opportunities in Elgin but questioned whether rezoning the lands could unnecessarily limit future options.
“I think there’s a broader conversation that needs to be had,” Bulloch said.
Coun. Marcia Maxwell also urged caution, suggesting a future council should have an opportunity to review the property’s history and long-term potential before making a permanent zoning change.
Part of the debate centred on claims that the property had originally been intended for recreation purposes. Staff presented documents showing the former Township of South Crosby purchased the lands in 1992 for $30,000.
Clerk Mary Ellen Truelove told council staff found no provision in the purchase documents restricting the future use of the property to recreation purposes.
“We’re not seeing any reference to recreational purposes,” Truelove said, and welcomed any additional documentation, if available, that supported it.
Hoogenboom defended his use of the veto, noting the authority is granted under provincial legislation.
“The veto is a legal process, and I am allowed to make those decisions,” he said. “If I feel that there’s been a bad decision made by council, then I’m allowed to implement my veto, and I’ve done so.”
The mayor said he supports additional recreation opportunities in Elgin but believes there are better alternatives than rezoning the Harry Seeley Drive lands to Open Space.
The motion to override the veto received support from Paula Banks, Linda Carr, Sue Dunfield, Debbie Hutchings and Jeff Banks. Hoogenboom and councillors Bulloch, Maxwell and Ron Pollard voted against.
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