South Frontenac Council - June 28/11

Wilma Kenny | Jun 30, 2011

One-year Site Plan Proposal for Day Farm

Harrowsmith resident Bill Day came as a delegate in relation to his application for a zoning by-law amendment which would allow recreational dirt bike motocross racing on his property east of the village. Day requested that two clauses be dropped from the proposed site plan agreement: 1) permission for once a week open practicing on Wednesdays, and 2) reference to ATV and snowmobile drags. Day said he felt

limiting practice would be preventing him and his friends from enjoying the use of his property, and the snowmobile and ATV drags were already a legal non-conforming use, because they had been going on for years.

Planner Lindsey Mills responded that now that Day was asking for a change in the use of his property, one of the requirements of being allowed to add motocross racing would be the reduction of practicing and snow drags.

Councillor Vandewal said he might agree to a one-year trial on three conditions: that Council members would make an effort to be present at the races, that the sound levels be monitored, and that that the Sunday races not start until 11 or 12 o’clock, so neighbours could enjoy a quiet Sunday morning. Day said the reduced Sunday hours would not allow time for the planned race schedule, which required full days both Saturday and Sunday.

Lindsey Mills, whose introduction of a possible site plan agreement had included the statement: “Planning Department is opposed to any by-law that would permit the proposed use -- temporary or otherwise,” reminded Council that this was not just about racing, but also would allow accessory camping on the property.

CAO Orr pointed out that a one-year temporary site plan agreement permitting one motocross and one ATV race per calendar year, if passed this August and reviewed next August, would cover parts of two calendar years, and thus allow two of each kind of race both this fall and next spring.

Vandewal reminded Council of the initial strong reaction against allowing ATVs on township roads, a reaction which disappeared after a year’s trial.

There will be a public meeting at the August 5th council meeting, and a vote on the temporary use by-law.

Small Drinking Water Systems

Public Work manager Mark Segsworth reported that the rules concerning water “available for public use” in the Township facilities have changed: it is no longer acceptable to post a warning that the water is not fit to drink. The water systems in twelve facilities throughout the township must be tested regularly, treated as necessary to be safe to drink, or shut off. Assessment of some of the facilities has been complicated by difficulty obtaining current keys to the various sites. After a somewhat reluctant agreement that all township facilities should have access to water, Council directed Segsworth to bring his report to Council for formal acceptance.