South Frontenac Council resists staff call for tax increases above the 2% target

Wilma Kenny | Sep 12, 2019

At Council’s request, Treasurer Fragnito prepared and presented a 10-year forecast of operating and capital costs, based on existing or anticipated service pressures or demands. This largely reflected inflationary increases, without incorporating much in the way of new or enhanced service needs or demands. Fragnito’s recommendation was, if the township were to maintain healthy reserve, they should consider a modest tax increase.

This led to a scrum, with Treasurer Fragnito and CAO Carbone advocating an increase of somewhere between 2.25% and 3.25%, and the majority of Council, led by Mayor Vandewal, insisting the line should be held at 2.0%. It had been a very long day: CAO Carbone had led Council in a Strategic Planning exercise for several hours, beginning at 9 am that morning.

Bill 108: More Homes, More Choice Act

Claire Dodds, Director of Development Services, gave a brief overview of Bill 108 which was introduced May 2 and given assent June 6, with the majority of its changes to the Planning Act taking effect September 3rd. It makes major amendments to the Planning Act, the  Development Charges Act, the Ontario Heritage Act and the  Local Planning Appeals Tribunal (LPAT).

Planning Act changes include shorter timelines to approve applications: Official Plans: 201 to 120 days (90 day reduction); Zoning By-laws; 150 t0 90 days (60 day reduction and Plans of Subdivision 180 days to 120 days (60 day reduction). These will present challenges to staff and Councils although the Township’s new pre-application consultation may help save some time. It permits additional residential units to be added to both residences and accessory buildings, which may work in urban areas, but could be a problem in rural areas without water and sewage. Of even greater concern is the fact that the average citizen will be not be allowed to appeal decisions on draft plans of subdivision if they have made any prior oral or written submission. Councillor Sutherland asked whether a community committee would have any standing with LPAT; Dodds said “So far, that’s unclear.”

Community Benefit Charges address a blend of parkland and ‘soft services’ such as libraries, recreation, etc, and are intended to make costs of development more predictable: Dodds said this may make sense in the city, but ‘less so, here.” The specific strategy for setting Community Benefit Charges remains to be finalized, and may present an additional layer of challenges: the Township will need to appoint a land value appraiser.

Payment of development charges, which are set at the time of application, can be deferred over many years, thus presenting tracking challenges. Sutherland asked “What can the Township do if these are not paid?” “This is not addressed (in the legislation), answered Dodds; “Sunset clauses will become very important.”

Councillor Sutherland said he saw these changes as more expensive for  the township, and likely to lead to more conflicts. “All three of the last condo developments are better for having had public input.” Dodds said it will help to put provisions into the new Official Plan for notifying the public more quickly of pending developments. “Perhaps every side needs to be better prepared right from the start”, said Mayor Vandewal, “to prevent negotiations from becoming so dragged-out.”

Request for Same Day Garbage & Recycling Pickup

Ron Hipfner came as a delegate to ask Council to consider providing same-day pickup for both household garbage and recycling, particularly for homes located on private lanes where residents frequently have to use a vehicle to deliver and pick up waste containers. Hipfner pointed out that this would cut driving times in half, a definite advantage in terms of time, environment, costs and wear and tear on both vehicle and laneway. Mayor Vandewal replied that while he could not promise a change, one-day pickup will definitely be looked at in the next contract for waste collection.

Applewood Condos

As a matter of overdue housekeeping, Council agreed the holding symbol should be removed from the Applewood Plan of Condominium.

Frontenac Arena Skating Begins

Councillor Norm Roberts reminded Council that on Friday September 13, beginning at 5:30 at the Arena there will be a celebration to open the new ice, which will include speeches, cake, coffee, free skating and the unveiling of the new electric “ice resurfacer”. (‘Zamboni’ is a trade name, not a generic name, in case you’re wondering…)