South Frontenac Council - Oct 12/10

Wilma Kenny | Oct 14, 2010

“A ludicrous impractical way to indicate a setback” -  Sydenham Subdivision Application

Planner Lindsay Mills introduced council to a proposed list of 20 conditions for draft plan approval of a plan of subdivision on the former Goslin farm, in the village of Sydenham. These conditions were based on information and reports submitted in support of the application, and responded to a number of concerns raised by neighbouring residents at a public meeting September 7.

The proposed subdivision would be accessed by a new road to be constructed off Rutledge and paved by the developer to township specifications. It would eventually be taken over by the township. The development proposes 20 estate residential lots, plus a block of land to accommodate eight units of housing for seniors, and another for a storm water management pond.

Eight of the new lots would back on the flood plain of Millhaven Creek, thus leading to an unusual requirement from the Cataraqui Region Conservation Authority. They have specified that these lots should have a continuous fence along the line of the 30-meter setback from the high water line. This is described by the CRCA as a compromise, for the customary setback from a “significant wetland’ is 120 meters.

Lindsay Mills suggested that a black chain link fence would be the least visible option, and said perhaps each property could have a gate.

Considerable discussion followed: Councilor Allan McPhail called the fence “a ludicrous, impractical way to indicate a setback”, and Councilor Bill Robinson called it “dumb”.

Councilor David Hahn said that from his reading of the conservation authority’s letter, “They want the 30 meters protected, and are unlikely to back down.”

Lindsay Mills will seek further clarification from the conservation authority before the next council meeting.

The subdivision is to be fully hooked into municipal water, and all utility service wires are to be underground. There was also some discussion as to whether storm water should be drained via open ditches or storm sewers.

Council Committee Members

CAO Wayne Orr reported that the terms of all committees of council would end November 30. The new council then appoints committees for the next four years. He recommended that council advertise soon for interested community members, so the new council would have names to draw from. It will be up to the new council to decide what committees they want, and how many members there should be on each of them.

Township vehicles sighted outside township

Councilor Jim Hicks asked why a township fire truck had been seen in Kingston recently. Mayor Davison said the truck was being used for driver training: every two years, all 155 volunteer fire fighters have to update their special licenses for driving fire trucks. The Ministry of Transportation requires that some of the driving be done in a metropolitan area, and sets the course. Orr added that the vehicles used for this purpose are temporarily drawn from service, leaving all fire stations fully covered in case of emergency.

Councilor Robinson asked if councilors could be notified whenever a vehicle was out of the township. Wayne Orr replied that this would be a full-time job: “Township vehicles are outside the township on numerous occasions. Council needs to trust they have legitimate reasons.”

Future Meeting Dates

At present, the only scheduled council meetings will be the regular meetings on Oct 19 and November 2. The other November meeting times may be used for orientation of the new council, unless new agenda items arise. The inaugural meeting of the new council will be December 7.