South Frontenac Council - June 06/23

Wilma Kenny | Jun 14, 2023

Bulk Water Sales

A bulk water filling station is currently being installed at the Sydenham water tower on Sydenham Road. Having locally-offered potable water sales will provide residents, businesses, and farmers with new options to purchase bulk drinking water, for a nominal fee during periods of extended drought or rural water shortages. Township Staff are recommending that a rate of $2.25 per cubic meter be applied. This rate is reflective of local market conditions.

Mayor Vandewal asked how this compared to the current household cost: Kyle Bolton, Director of Public Services, said the residential rate of $85.65 covered up to 54 cu meters of water, (just under $1.60/meter) plus asset depreciation and repairs. He added that it is hoped the sales of bulk water will increase water usage. This was approved.

Short Term Rental Issues: “A lot of worms in a bucket.”

Two delegates spoke to Council concerning Short Term Rentals (STRs): Alan Revill spoke in general terms about some of the challenges and possible responses. Mayor Vandewal noted that South Frontenac’s noise bylaw (section 3f) prohibits amplified noise audible at any time, day or night, on neighbouring properties, and the Township has already strengthened bylaws to make owners responsible for any fines levied against residents of their property.

Otter Lake resident John Kemp presented a “victim impact statement’ of his experience living beside a property which was sold seven months ago to someone living either in Toronto or the UK.

This 3-bedroom home is currently listed on Airbnb as accommodating 12 people, and the accompanying photos show the neighbouring docks, houses and boats and boathouses (according to Kemp, there is now a 4th bedroom with two bunk beds in a windowless basement room). In the past 7 months, there have been large campfires during total fire bans, guests using and damaging his dock, parking in his driveway, noise, stolen firewood, lewd behaviour, and hooded people with flashlights wandering around outside his house at night. Kemp’s wife does not feel safe staying alone in their house at night. Kemp said that in November 2021, there had been 240 Airbnb listings in South Frontenac: as of this May 31, the count has risen to more than 1,000.

“This was all during the ‘off’ season: I dread the summer. What can Council do to protect the quality of life of the people who… live year-round in the community and support the community?”

Councillor Pegrum asked whether enforcement action had been taken by the OPP or the bylaw officer; Kemp replied “We’re still learning our rights: we did not realize the police should be called at once, no matter what time of day or night.”

Councillor Ruttan said that he thought often people were afraid of retaliation, or did not want to “rat out” a neighbour.

Mayor Vandewal said the bylaw officer could be called 24-7, and it was essential to report problems immediately.

Councillor Sleeth asked whether it was considered a change of use, if a residential property was sold to an absentee landlord to be used for ST Rentals.

Councillor Morey asked what provisions the Township had for dealing with potential overuse of a 3-bedroom lakeside home’s septic tank.

“We can’t answer all these questions tonight, but they’re all recorded, and the year is not over yet. We’ll work out what’s achievable,” said Mayor Vandewal; “we may not have all the necessary resources yet: it’s a lot of worms in a bucket.”

2023 Private Lane Upgrades: Grant Subsidies

Staff got Council approval for a total of $135,885 in grant subsidies for 32 recipients. This annual program provides grant incentives to a maximum of $7,000 for private lane associations that carry out construction improvements which improve access for emergency service vehicles. Priority is always given to first-time applicants.

The 2023 Budget allowance for the overall project is $100,000, and an additional $30,094 has been carried forward from last year’s program, making the total available budget for the 2023 program $130,094. Although this leaves a shortfall of $5,791, it is probable that a small percentage of applicants will cancel projects mid-year or reduce spending as a result of inability to collect funding commitments from participating landowners. This situation occurs every year, so the shortfall is very likely to reduce or disappear by the time the program is closed out.

Unregulated Floating Homes

Councillor Ruttan asked that the issue of unregulated floating homes come to Council as soon as possible; Mayor Vandewal assured him the issue would come back to Council with full information.

Summer Kick-off Music Festival

Deputy Mayor Leonard congratulated the Township staff, especially the Recreation Department and Amanda Pantrey, for the great success of the recent event at Harrowsmith Centennial Park: a crowd of approximately 1800 people of all ages partied with no negative comments received.