South Frontenac Council – Apr, 19/11

Wilma Kenny | Apr 21, 2011

Motocross dust and noise a neighbourhood concern

Around 30 people attended a public meeting about a proposed zone change on the Day farm, which is located on Harrowsmith Road, just east of Harrowsmith. For many years, this farm has been the site of informal grass drag racing. Mr. Day wishes to have 47 acres of the 187-acre property rezoned to permit him to hold motocross and ATV racing as well as an annual grass drag (ATVs and snowmobiles.) Township Planner Lindsay Mills recommended the zone change, saying the property was large, isolated, buffered to the south and east by forest, vacant to the west, and 1000 feet from Harrowsmith Road to the north. His report stated “there have been no complaints or concerns from surrounding land owners.”

However six neighbours at the meeting expressed their strong concerns, particularly about dust, noise, frequency and hours of operation. Several said they were unable to sit outside on weekends because of the dust. Councilors Vandewal and Robinson both said the by-law’s wording was too vague, citing the phrases “unscheduled practice at various times’ and “motor vehicle racing on an occasional basis.”

Mr. Day said he had purchased a water truck to help lessen the dust. John McGuire, Motocross events organizer, described the races as well-supervised family events, and a healthy alternative to teenage boredom. He said there were two events planned for this year, each drawing 300-400 competitors, plus 3 or 4 supporters each. One of the neighbours noted that this amounted to a lot of traffic, and asked whether a special turn lane might be required on Harrowsmith road.

The by-law passed the first two readings, with the third being deferred to allow formalization of the race site access across the Cataraqui and K&P trails, which cross the property. As well, Mayor Davison assured the neighbours that their concerns had been heard, and would be taken into consideration.

Household Hazardous Waste Site to Open Soon

Public Works Manager, Mark Segsworth, reported that the township’s permanent household hazardous waste facility should begin operating on a weekly basis, Thursdays from 3-8 pm, beginning in late May. Tender for transportation, processing and disposal was awarded to Brendar Environmental Inc. for $35,214. A portion of this cost will be offset by subsidies from Stewardship Ontario. Further details will be available soon.

Tenders Awarded to Variety of Contractors

Township roadside mowing was awarded to Lewis Farms, a company from Ashton, Ontario, for $26,408. Mark Segsworth emphasized that this in no way reflected dissatisfaction with the work done previously, but was based on the fact this bid was lowest by $22,900, and the company’s references all were good. Several councilors expressed concern that the tender was being awarded to an outside company, but reluctantly agreed that the difference in cost left little choice.

Parks maintenance tenders went to six different contractors, again based on lowest bids. Recreation Coordinator Ashley Brown said the bids had varied widely, and she had checked all references of the recommended firms.