South Frontenac Council - Oct. 5/10

Wilma Kenny | Oct 07, 2010

To Berm or Not to Berm?

Councillor Bill Robinson again asked that Council overturn their requirement that a buffer in the form of a treed berm should be erected on the north and west sides of the carwash on Road 38, just south of Hartington.

Planner Lindsay Mills said that at the last meeting, he had provided Council with copies of the original, legally binding site plan agreement. Robinson and Councillor Jim Hicks said the agreement was almost four years old: why should it be enforced now?

Councillor David Hahn said that at the time Council was asked to approve the car wash, area residents “took us at our word, when we agreed to draw up a site plan to address their concerns.” He reminded Council that recently, Inverary residents have also been promised that there would be a buffer along the commercial subdivision planned in that area.

Councillor Del Stowe asked if a contract could be negated just because it had not been fulfilled, warning that Council risked losing the trust of people who look to Council for protection.

Councillor Ron Vandewal asked whether the planner could meet with both parties in Hartington, to see whether a compromise could be worked out.

Mayor Gary Davison said he would be in favour of a compromise, but asked the CAO for his interpretation of the situation.

CAO Wayne Orr said that Council needed to consider the legal implications of stepping away from a legal contract, as this could set a precedent that could call into question every contract the Township has made.

In the end, staff was directed to meet with the parties concerned, to see whether a compromise could be reached.

Future of private lanes

John Fuller, a Storrington resident who lives on a private lane, made a presentation to Council on behalf of fellow lane residents.

“I am asking for thought, not action, at this time,” he said. He noted that while forty years ago most lanes had only cottages and hunting camps, now the township’s more than 500 lanes house a high proportion of full-time waterfront residents who pay high taxes for minimal services.

Councillor Del Stowe replied that the Township was beginning to make some progress, citing the funding available to assist residents’ associations with lane upgrades.