South Frontenac Council – Mar 20/12

Wilma Kenny | Mar 22, 2012

A Severance is a Severance

In an uncommon move, Council turned down a recommendation from its Committee of Adjustment. The C of A had recommended a reduction of the fee in lieu of parkland in the case of a severance application by Kim Ondaatje, in Portland district, on the grounds that the 72 acres are to be sold to the KFL&A Land Conservancy, and would therefore “be available to some extent to the public.”

Ms Ondaatje’s representative argued that the entire parcel of land could be considered a park. The C of A had recommended that Council charge $100, rather than the usual 5% of the land value. They confirmed that the land conservancy paid property taxes, though they would be at the much lower agricultural rate for any portion classified as ‘managed forest.’

Councilor McPhail noted that the landowner was selling, not donating, the land, and suggested it should be treated as any other severance. The full parkland fee will be charged.

Bellrock Road Pavement Rehabilitation:

Public Works Manager Mark Segsworth recommended that Council accept Cruickshank Construction’s bid of $1,100,564 for ditching and resurfacing two portions of Bellrock Road. Originally, only one section had been slated for rebuilding, but Segsworth said another 860 m of road had been found to be in even greater need of repair. He added that it would be most cost effective to do both sections at the same time. In order to do this, $450,000 budgeted in 2012 for rehabilitation of a section of Perth Road would have to be transferred to Bellrock.

Segsworth said that since Perth Road Crescent is scheduled for rehabilitation next year, those two adjacent projects could be both included in the 2013 budget. Councilor Vandewal said that although he was not opposed to the change in plans, he would have liked more concrete figures demonstrating the cost savings achieved. Several others said they wanted to be sure the Perth Road work would all get done next year, and not be further postponed.

Nonetheless, Council approved Segsworth’s recommendation.

Local Roadside Mowing Program:

Council approved the $34,698 bid provided by Steven Lewis Farms for roadside mowing in Bedford, Storrington and Portland districts, on all roads not maintained directly by township staff. This was the lowest of four bids.

Blasting Concerns:

Councilor Robinson said he had just received a complaint that recent blasting near Star’s Corners had shaken houses along County Road 38. The township will investigate.

Playground Equipment Policy:

A policy proposed for the purchase and maintenance of playground equipment for township parks has been deferred until changes in wording recommended by the South Frontenac Recreation Committee have been incorporated.