South Frontenac Council - Sept. 4

Wilma Kenny | Sep 06, 2012

Harrowsmith Area Housing Proposal

A public meeting was called to review an application for an Official Plan amendment that would permit multiple dwellings (eight units in four buildings) on a 3.9 acre property on Road 38, just south of the Harrowsmith settlement area.

Councillor Allan McPhail said he felt development of this sort should occur only within a hamlet. Councillor Ron Vandewal questioned permitting eight residences on a lot that would normally support only one, without a plan of subdivision. Mayor Davison said that having more than five units drawing from a shared well was “a whole different ball game.” There were no comments from the public.

The report and discussion will be forwarded to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs & Housing for their review.

Severance Application Denied

Council turned down an application to sever and rezone (to Special Commercial) a lot from the hundred-acre Asselstine property, which runs between Petworth and Boyce Roads in Hartington. The property has already had its maximum number of severances: three on Petworth Road, and through special consideration, a further three on Boyce Road. The last three were permitted because they are a kilometer away from the first three, and are located within the Hartington settlement area.

The current request was for a fourth severance on Boyce Road, to allow the owner to retain the proposed lot, which has a solar panel on it, and to sell the rest of the property. Council said there was no way they could support what amounted to a fourth severance on Boyce Road, even though it would have a non-residential zoning.

5% Parkland Fee Policy Set

Council agreed to a recommendation from the Corporate Services Committee, that “the parkland fee shall be apportioned at five percent for all non commercial or industrial purposes, and that delegation requests to alter this percent not be scheduled before Council.” Councillor Vandewal noted that by changing the wording, which had been “up to 5%”, they would be removing a grey area. Applicants will still have the option of contesting the assessment value upon which the 5% is calculated.

Verona Finds its New Doctor

Mayor Davison galvanized a snoozing press gallery at the end of a long meeting when he congratulated Deputy Mayor McDougall on Verona’s new doctor. McDougall said the doctor’s identity cannot be revealed until some details of the contract are finalized. He expects a formal announcement will be made on September 20.

Harrowsmith Mail Boxes: Councillor Robinson said many Harrowsmith residents had complained about the closure of the village post office, and the location of the mail pick-up boxes in the park uphill from the village. Public Works Manager Segsworth explained that the post office had given him rather short notice, and the only public site that offered adequate parking, full accessibility, snow clearance, and good lighting had been at the ball park.