South Frontenac Council

Wilma Kenny | Nov 20, 2024

Public Meeting

A public meeting was called to receive comments about a proposed development (severance of a 3.7 acre residential building lot) on Battersea Road, which would be less than the required 300 metre set-back from a  quarry. While the quarry is not in operation at present, it provides red granite, which is described as a “fashion statement”, and though not in demand at present, there is no intent to close the quarry. Also, there are already existing residences between the quarry and the current proposal.

Hearing no comments from the public, the meeting was closed.

Cenotaph Enhancement

Representatives of the Royal Canadian Legion appealed to Council for assistance in enhancing the Cenotaph site. Originally established on Township property in 1960, the site was refurbished with assistance from the Millennium bureau and the Township. (There is no current evidence of a red maple and two blue spruce planted at that time.)

Upgrades recommended by the Legion include adding names to the monument, and making the site safer and more accessible by: cutting back the bank, widening the walkway, and providing seating areas for veterans and handicapped ceremony participants. Estimated cost of these improvements is $100,000. 

While the Legion is prepared to invest in upgrading the monument at an estimated cost of $25,000, the land upon which it sits is Township property. Sleeth and Vandewal suggested that Director of Public Works Kyle Bolton work with the Legion to develop a proposal which could be put into to the Capital Budget. The Legion members added that in the past, local contractors have been generous with their support.

Frontenac Farmers Market Holiday Event

Council agreed to designate  the special holiday event hosted by the Frontenac Farmers Market as Municipally Significant December 7th, 2024, from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Centennial Park in Harrowsmith as required by the Alcohol & Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) for a Special Occasion Permit (SOP) for the sale and service of alcohol at the events.

Welcoming Heather Woodland

Council appointed Heather Woodland as: Deputy Clerk, Deputy Division Registrar and Municipal Law Enforcement Officer. “That’s quite a title,” quipped Mayor Vandewal; “Welcome, and good luck!”

Planning Services Report

Planning applications continue to be received at a pace similar to 2nd and 3rd quarters in previous years. The number of minor variance applications are slightly lower due to Township housekeeping amendments to the Zoning By-law which has allowed for more development to proceed without requiring a minor variance (e.g. accessory structure in front yard).

Mayor Vandewal said that the main complaint he is hearing from the public is that the Planning Services staff need to be more welcoming: they could provide better customer service by being friendlier and providing more assistance to applicants who need help understanding how to properly develop their applications. “This sort of issue always reflects badly back on Council.” He added that up until recently, Planning Services have been short-staffed, but that problem has now been resolved.

2024 Budget Survey Feedback

CAO Fragnito reported that the feedback (413 responses) to the budget survey could be considered good. Emergency services and road maintenance were listed as most important, followed by waste diversion and affordable housing. 92.46% of the respondents were full-time residential property owners.

Mayor Vandewal cautioned: “This will be a challenging year; the reasonable increase can’t stay at 2.9%; we can’t do it.”