South Frontenac Council

Wilma Kenny | Mar 19, 2014

Public Meeting re Portland Zone Changes

There were no public comments relating to an application to add additional commercial uses to the property in Harrowsmith where Gilmour’s Meats is located. This change would permit a prospective client to open a wood stove sales business in the plaza. Council approved the change later in the meeting.

Six neighbours expressed concerns about the expansion of a stone quarry that has been in operation on a property on the Petworth Road since the early 1970’s. This quarry is used to obtain naturally weathered limestone, and does not involve drilling, blasting or processing. All agreed that they have no complaints about the present operation, but asked, “What if the quarry were sold, and the new owner wanted to work the quarry more aggressively?” Some were not aware that the existing quarry was already approved for 20,000 tonnes, a much higher amount of rock than is actually extracted, but the basic amount permitted by the Ministry of Mines. There were concerns about noise, dust, lowered property values and increased traffic with resultant damage to roads.

Rachel Smith-Tryon, speaking on behalf of herself and her father, Don Smith, said that when she built her house she had to prove it would be outside the 150 metre ‘area of influence’ of the quarry before she could obtain a building permit. “Why,” she asked, “is it now ok for the area of influence of the extended quarry to include my home?” Planner Mills said that the rule worked only in one direction, and did not apply to a quarry extending close to private properties.

Council received the Planning Department report and its attachments, and will forward them, along with the residents’ letters and discussion from the public meeting to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for their review.

Letter re Needed Support for Seniors Housing

Following Councillor McDougall’s notice of motion, Council agreed to send a letter to Minister Jason Kenney, expressing the need for the federal government to work with the provinces and municipalities to fund long term social and affordable housing.

Sydenham Water Rates

Council passed a by-law to set the new water rates for Sydenham: as of June 1, the flat monthly rate for residences will be $45.23; industrial, commercial and institutional will go up to $65.01, and unexempted non-users will be charged $65.23. This will be increased January of each year.

Public Works Tenders

Council accepted the bid of Leonard Fuels Ltd ($542,323.) for the supply and delivery of the township’s diesel fuel and gasoline. This includes dealing with emergency situations, such as cleaning up spills, transfer from one location to another, and responding within a suitable timeframe.

Council approved, but not unanimously, the purchase of a municipal tractor with snowblower, power angling sweeper, and bloom flail for $146,247. Mayor Davison questioned whether the roads department had sufficient staff to provide someone to operate the machine to its full potential year round.

Exemption to Trailer By-law

Chief Building Official Brian Gass asked for an exemption to the trailer by-law which would permit a time-limited rental of two trailers to house a burned-out family of six until their home could be rebuilt. This had been requested by the owners' insurance company, so the family could continue to live in their children's school district. Council agreed: the insurance company will post the required $5,000 surety that the trailers will be removed once the house is completed.