South Frontenac Council - Jan. 17

Wilma Kenny | Jan 19, 2012

Didn’t Move to the Country to Live Beside Cows...

Richard Thompson, resident of Inverary, in Storrington district, came as a delegate to protest that his neighbour, who lives on a 3.27 acre lot which is zoned residential, has eight cows. Township planner, Lindsay Mills, read from the zoning bylaw that “urban residential permits residential and existing farm uses.” This means that as long as the cattle were kept on the property when the bylaw was approved, they are permitted to remain.

The neighbour, Mark Ritchie, has submitted receipts and letters from neighbours supporting his claim that the cows have been there for at least ten years. Thompson also has letters from neighbours, and aerial photos denying that Ritchie has kept cattle for that long.

Thompson proposed a solution: that if he were allowed to sever off a two-acre building lot from his property, it could provide a buffer zone between his home and the cows, and whoever bought the lot would know they were living next to cows.

Council said they would have to get further information, and discuss the matter.

Placement of Outdoor Furnaces

As a result of several complaints about emissions from outdoor furnaces, Planner Mills brought a list of potential regulations that could be included in a zoning change which would regulate the placement of these devices. These included allowing the furnaces only in rural or agricultural zones, establishing property line set-backs, and requiring a building permit for installation. Councillor Vandewal said he agrees with setting guidelines, but feels the proposed set-backs are too stringent, adding, “How are they different from household woodstoves: some mornings, there’s a haze over Sydenham, because of all the woodstoves.”

Commercial Vehicles and Heavy Equipment on Residential Lots

The Township has recently received three complaints about the noise and unsightliness of heavy machinery being stored and used on residential lots. It is difficult to address these issues, because there is no zoning bylaw that restricts or regulates the storing of such vehicles and equipment. Accordingly, Planner Mills brought a sample bylaw for the Committee’s consideration. McDougall protested that this was over-reacting to a particular situation: “We have people with trucks and vehicles all over the place.” Vandewal agreed: “The Mayor would have to get rid of his farm tractor!” Mayor Davison said he had already circled that part of the bylaw. There was general agreement to set this proposal aside.

Subdivision Proposal near Sydenham

Township resident Robert Bernard brought a proposal for a short road off Boundary Road near Sydenham that would enable him to create three residential lots fronting on the new road. His long-term plan would be to later extend the road through the retained portion of the land to link with Rutledge road, creating additional lots through a plan of subdivision. In order to do this, he was asking whether the Township would be willing to assume the short, initial road, as long as it was constructed to Township standards. Bernard added that he eventually would be interested in a similar proposal leading west from Boundary Road.

Vandewal said he wasn’t in favour of the Township assuming a short bit of road, for only three houses. He suggested it would be much better planning to begin with a more concrete plan of subdivision. It was noted that any development to the west would involve environmental restrictions because of a wetland and a sandpit.

This was referred back to the Development Services Committee, to ‘get a better sense of the applicant’s commitment.”

Non Union Staff Compensation

Mayor Davison reported on his recent discussion with a consultant who recommended that Council hire a consulting firm to establish “a new and easy to maintain job evaluation system that could be managed in house on a go forward basis.” This would involve evaluating all non-union jobs and developing an appropriate compensation plan. Estimated cost of the consultation would be $20,000. This proposal will be brought forward to Council.

Because of office renovations, Council will meet in the library’s community room until further notice.