South Frontenac Council

South Frontenac Council met last week, July 14 for their only July meeting this year, and dealt with a number of housekeeping planning measures affecting one or two residents on rural lots, as well as a report on how the township fights wildfires. (See Wildfire Protection Plan.)

The longest discussion of the evening centred on a proposal by planning staff to amend the new township official plan provision that requires a hydrogeological study to create a lot in the township.

But first, there was talk about a new golf course.

A pitch and putt course, actually, on a rural lot on the Yarker Road near the township's border with Loyalist township.

A statutory public meeting was held as the applicant, Mr. Mcmurter, is seeking a zoning bylaw amendment to approve a lot reduction for his house, well, and septic to a one acre parcel. This is how it was until 2008 when he purchased a 7.25 acre parcel abutting his, and merged the into a single lot. He wants to reverse that so he can establish a 9 hole pitch and putt golf course with an average hole length of only 60 yards. The golf course would be watered using a pond on the property, and would have no well and septic.

Council was amenable to the proposal, and the matter will go to Staff for consideration, and Staff will report back with recommendations. Mayor Vandewal said that one advantage of a 60 yard golf course is that he might be able to reach the green with a drive if he played it.

Committee of Adjustment Eliminated

Council agreed to eliminate the Committee of Adjustment for the new term of council beginning this fall. The matters currently dealt with by the committee will be dealt with directly by Council, meeting as a Committee of the Whole. The work of the committee of adjustment has been curtailed through a delegation of authority for routine matters to the township planning department, and cutting out a separate committee for the matters that remain will streamline the planning process.

In discussing the proposal, some members of council, led by Councillor Ron Sleeth, said they were concerned about strong mayor powers over-riding the kinds of decision made by the Committee of Adjustment or by Council itself, after the change, but Clerk James Thompson said that as far as he understands strong mayor powers, they do not extend to these kinds of matters, and he said he would confirm that for Council's benefit.

Hydrogeological Studies and New Lots

Manager of Planning Christine Woods came to Council with a proposal to initiate a process to amend the new official plan in the area of lot creation. The new plan adds a requirement that a hydrogeological study be done when new lots are created, in circumstances where a well is required.

Previously, a well drillers report was all that was required. Woods recommended that in cases where there is an existing well within 150 metres of a proposed new well, a hydrogeological study will still be required, but where the distance from existing wells is larger than that, it will no longer be needed.

Members of council argued that the 150 metre distance is still too onerous, and that risks to existing wells from new wells is based on the terrain, not the distance.

“The well drillers know which parts of the township have issues like this, and which ones don't,” said Councillor Ruttan, “when we know there is lots of water why would we ask for this study based on distance. It's just an extra cost for someone to pay.”

Christine Woods said that the 150 distance in her report is not the main issue, and it can be addressed by Council.

She said the goal is to start a process for an official plan amendment, and set up a public meeting to discuss the change.

“Until we do that, a study is required in every case,” she said.

Council was concerned that at a public meeting people may not think to challenge the 150 metre distance, but Chief Administrator Fragnito said that Staff will take Council's direction about the 150 metre distance into account, based on what was said at this meeting. Council agreed to initiate the Official Plan amendment.

Bulk Water Rates

Bulk Water has been available from the Sydenham Water Station at a cost of $2.25 a cubic metre, and Council agreed to raise that rate to $4 a cubic metre. According to Mayor Vandewal the $4 price is still well below market cost.

Support of Stocksport Juniors

Three of the four under 16 year old Storkport athletes from the South Frontenac Stocksport Juniors who have qualified for the world championships in Austria are from South Frontenac and the club requested township support for them to help cover costs for the trip.

Council agreed to provide $1,000 to help out.