Co-Op Proposal Leads To Marathon Meeting In North Frontenac

Craig Bakay | Jan 18, 2023

A proposal to create a family-based cottage cooperative on Palmerston Lake at Ompah (Lafolia Lane) led to a two-hour-plus public meeting before North Frontenac Council’s regular meeting Jan. 13 in Plevna.

Speaking for the proponents, planner Tracy Zander said the property in question (owned by Craig and Amber Hall) is 34-35 acres with about 1,200 metres of lake frontage.

There is currently one cottage there and the plan would feature the addition of seven additional cottages plus outbuildings over several years.

The plan would require rezoning to site-specific Rural Cooperative Exception zone from Limited Service Waterfront.

“Cooperative is existing policy,” Zander said. “It’s nothing new.

“It’s a single entity piece of property with no severances or subdivision (and) no lake or environmental impacts are expected.”

She said eight cabins on 35 acres with this frontage is “very low density” and there could be 10-12 lots if it were a subdivision.

The Halls own Equator Coffee Roasters in Almonte and said they want a place they can enjoy with their four kids, friends and family.

“It’s not a commercial development,” Craig said. “Just a place where we can be with our family.

“It may take several years.”

“We may not do all seven cabins,” Amber said. “We’ve been there three years.

“And we’ll be avoiding the wetlands area.”

Liz Jackson, representing the Palmerston Lake Association, said they hadn’t had a chance to study the proposal thoroughly yet.

“We’re neither pro nor con at this time,” said. “We’re wondering about the carrying capacity of our lake and comments from the Mississippi Valley Conservation Authority.

Palmerston Lake is a lake trout sensitive lake that is not yet at capacity for development.

However, other residents of Lafolia Lane have made up their minds. They don’t want it.

David and Peter Roberts own property on which they harvest some wood.

“We have deeded access on Lafolia Lane which we pay year-round maintenance for,” said David. “We will not be consenting to them using it.

“The tip of Gravel Point supports trout spawing beds and there is no winter trout fishing allowed on the lake.

“We’re also concerned about shoreline erosion.”

Planning consultant Kevin Duguay, who was retained by the Roberts, said: “I am of the opinion the proposal is inconsistent with policy statements and directives.

“There is no permission for access through existing right-of-way (and) this is a significant development on an environmentally sensitive property.”

Cottage owner Doug Humphries said he was concerned about septic, habitat, and possibly noise.

“This could be nothing more than skirting around severances and one of the biggest air bnb’s aournd.”

County planner Jenny Kapusta said that while there are several commercial uses permitted with this zoning, they could be limited if the zoning change is granted.

OPP Report

SSgt Marty McConnell, Frontenac Detachment Commander of the OPP, told Council they’re working on a new strategic plan for 2023. He said violent crimes and theft are down but 911 calls are up (“possibly weather related”) as are ATV fatalities.

“I’ve worked hard to increase our traffic stops but covid reduced that,” he said. “We’re seeing an increase in motor vehicle collisions with more people returning to work.”

He showed Council the new body cameras officers started wearing in late summer.

He said they will be out on the lakes this summer and reminded everyone about the importance of life jackets.

“We stopped one boat and the only one wearing a life jacket was the dog,” he said. “There wasn’t another life jacket in the boat.”

He said they visit various lakes on a complaint-driven basis or if an officer is familiar with a lake and its issues.

He said that they do look for tracks in the snow into properties while on patrol.

Rural Frontenac Community Services

Rural Frontenac Community Services Youth Program Coordinator Sarah McCullough was at Council asking for the Township’s annual contribution. This year’s ask is $6,000. The matter was deferred to budget deliberations.

Library Internet

Council approved an internet wifi hub for the Ompah Community Hall/Library.

Seniors Housing

Council approved having Mayor Gerry Lichty, Coun. Roy Heutl and Stephanie Regent work on a business case proposal to take to County Council outlining how Rural Frontenac Community Services and Land O’Lakes Community Services could create a program for seniors using the $337,500 the County originally allocated towards a seniors housing project in North Frontenac. Council also approved $10,000 for each agency to create a pilot project.

“I think this is important,” said Dep. Mayor John Ingles. “It tells the County we’re going to do what we want — now give us the money.”