South Frontenac Council - Feb. 1/22

Wilma Kenny | Feb 08, 2022

Everett Lane Zone Change Draws Comments

Council began with several public meetings set up by the Planning Department to hear comments from the public on proposed zone changes. Only one member of the public spoke, and that was to a zone change on Everett Lane, near Knowlton Lake. The report noted that staff had already received and discussed a number of questions from the public, in regard to this 32 acre property, which is a ‘lot of record’. The proposal is to change the zone from Rural (RU) to Limited Services Residential (RLS) to permit the construction of a single detached dwelling.

This rezoning would not facilitate further subdivision of the property.

Several Councillors asked about setbacks from wetlands, accessory buildings and environmental concerns. Planner Christine Woods said she would ask Cataraqui Conservation Authority whether they would recommend an environmental impact study. Mayor Vandewal suggested that anything of that nature should not be done until spring.

Knowlton Lake is an at-capacity lake trout lake; as a marl-bottom lake, it is alkaline and highly sensitive to external nutrient and sediment loads. Lot creation is not permitted within 300 metres of the lake, and approximately half of the property is located within 300 metres of Knowlton Lake. The planning report also made it clear that any future division of the property would need to be done through a plan of subdivision or a plan of vacant land condominium, as severances for non-waterfront lots on private lanes are not permitted. A plan of subdivision or plan of condominium would require numerous studies including a hydrogeological assessment, terrain analysis, environmental impact assessment, species at risk assessment and traffic impact study.

The proximity to the lake, in addition to the size and orientation of the wetlands on the property make any future development of the property unlikely.

Rogers Telecommunication Tower Proposal

Rogers is proposing four new telecommunications towers: Opinicon Rd & Maple Leaf Rd; Dewitt Road & Timmerman's Island; Devil Lake Rd at Little Wolfe Lake, and Westport Rd & White Lake Rd. Council lost no time supporting these projects. Sutherland asked whether Rogers could be asked to provide a parking lot to improve access near Perth Road to the Cataraqui trail, because the current parking space is too small. “It would be a community building opportunity,” said Mayor Vandewal. Mr Bellchambers, the Rogers representative, said they did not usually do that, and the tower would be on private property. Sutherland said the Township could be responsible for the site’s maintenance; Staff members Claire Dodds and Louise Fragnito said it would be fair to express an interest to Rogers.

CAO Recruitment Contract

Council awarded the contract for the recruitment of a Chief Administrative Officer to Waterhouse Executive Search in the amount of $23,250.00 plus HST, in accordance with the terms and conditions outlined in a proposal reviewed by Council in Closed Session on January 25th, 2022.

Council Appointments to Committee of Adjustment for 2022

• Bedford: Alan Revill
• Loughborough: Randy Ruttan
• Portland: Doug Morey
• Storrington: Norm Roberts

2021 Final Building Reports

The total value of construction in South Frontenac for 2021 was just over $41 million dollars, which exceeds total construction values in each of the last three (3) years. The number of building permits issued in 2021 has also exceeded the annual totals in each of the last three (3) years.