“It went well,” said Luc Lalonde, township chief administrator, during an interview following a public meeting for a review of revisions to the municipal zoning bylaw guidelines.

The January virtual meeting was by invitation only for individuals or groups who had any concerns or questions about the proposed revisions to the bylaw. The municipality promoted the event through its website. Anyone who wanted to take part in the virtual meeting phoned in advance of the date with their request and were given the online link needed to attend.

There were three participants from the public for the event, which Lalonde noted was a good turnout. “That’s more than we usually get in the council room for meetings,” he said.

Questions from the public gallery during the January 25 event concerned the definition of a hobby farm and whether the revised zoning bylaw guidelines would allow dog kennel operations in the township. Comments about the virtual meeting setup were positive, Lalonde noted, and a second review meeting of the revised zoning guidelines will take place later in February.

Lalonde is optimistic about the new virtual meeting setup for use in allowing township residents to watch council meetings in future. He indicated that a link will be available on the municipal website on the date of council meetings so that anyone can watch the proceedings live without having to ask for an invitation. The virtual meeting will also be available for later viewing for anyone unable to watch the session on the date when it is scheduled.