South Frontenac Council

Wilma Kenny | May 11, 2016

More dust is raised by a little housekeeping

Once again Council chambers were crammed full of lakeshore residents responding to Planner Lindsay Mills’ proposal to make ‘housekeeping ‘ changes to the Official Plan. These changes: 1) would not permit buildings within the 30-metre setback to be taken down and reconstructed; 2) define a property as vacant once more than 50% of the load-bearing walls have been removed from a building within the setback (and therefore the structure would not be replaceable); and 3) remove section 5.11 which permits replacement of waterfront structures which have been destroyed by natural disasters. (Thus requiring a minor variance from the Committee of Adjustment, which has the power to deny applications.)

Thirteen delegates made spoken presentations and nineteen others filed letters, only one of which was in any way supportive of the proposed changes.

Mills’ presentation showed a picture of a seriously derelict building as an example of a structure the owner may have deliberately neglected in order to be able to rebuild, with the implication that this was a recurring problem. Jeff Canton noted that this situation was already addressed under the Township’s “safe properties’ bylaw (2007-13). “I find it curious that…(the planner) would use the Township’s inaction in the enforcement of a current bylaw to justify amending a different bylaw.”

Some were strongly critical of Council and its staff: “This is an abuse of power,” “The power of this Township is spiralling out of control,” were two such comments. Another speaker said someone had warned him “that the Township would make things difficult for me if I speak out tonight.” Another: “This is more about aesthetics than it is about lessening our impact on the lakes.” “Trying to correct history on the backs of present property owners is not reasonable.”

In reference to Mills’ interpretation of the intent of the Official Plan“…that someday all buildings will be well set back from waterbodies to ensure protection of our lakes…” many said these proposed changes would lower values of lakeshore properties with nonconforming structures, possibly even make them unsaleable. This in turn could result in less taxation income for the Township in the future. One said he would definitely not have bought his home two years ago, if these bylaw changes had been in place then.

Following the delegations, Mayor Vandewal brought a notice of motion that “If a property is destroyed by fire or other act of God the owner need only go to the building department and apply to rebuild on that footprint.”

Council’s decision on Mills’ proposed ‘housekeeping amendments’ has been postponed until the June 7 Council meeting at Councillor Roberts’ request: he will be away on vacation until then.