Feature Article - June 29, 2006

Development after...and before

by Jeff Green

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One of the conundrums of waterfront development was aptly demonstrated last week at a North Frontenac Council meeting.

Development After
First Mickie Mackie, a full time resident living on Sunday Lake , made a presentation concerning wear and tear on the Sunday Lake road, a private road maintained by the Sunday Lake Property Owners’ Association.

Mackie pointed out that the township established a public boat launch in 1997 at the end of the road, bringing more traffic to the road, even though the township does not pay for road maintenance or repair. The boat launch is also very steep, and residents around the lake, particularly Mackie himself, are often called upon to help people get their vehicles out after launching their boats. The Association also pays to maintain a dam for the Ministry of Natural Resources on Sunday Lake .

“Twenty-six residents on Sunday Lake Drive paid $49,313 in taxes last year, as well as a $200 road maintenance fee to the association, yet we receive few, if any services,” Mackie told Council. “The association is thus asking for a grant from the township in lieu of road maintenance.”

Council did not make any immediate response to the request from the Sunday Lake Association, although several councillors pointed out that there are a great many private roads on lakes throughout the township, and giving a grant to Sunday Lake for maintenance could lead others to come forward.

Development before
The second delegation was led by planning consultant Peter Josephs, who is promoting a fledgling waterfront development on Ardoch Lake . Josephs expressed a full understanding of the various environmental and planning hoops that the development will have to jump through in order to be accepted by council. Josephs was accompanied by Colin Scott, who is in the process of purchasing the property. Scott told council that he is prepared to make improvements to the road if the development is approved, and pointed out that most, if not all of the residences on the lake will be seasonal, since there is no hydro available.

A chart that accompanied the presentation included 40 waterfront lots, but Josephs assured council that the chart was in error, and the proposal that will eventually come forward will include a much smaller number of lots.

The proponents were making only a preliminary courtesy call to council as they embark on the involved subdivision process.

“You heard the first delegation,” said Councillor Dave Smith, referring to the Sunday Lake Association petitioning the Council for support, “so you can understand our concerns about developments on private roads.”

The developers will work with the township’s staff and planning consultant in pursuing their development.

Reaction to the Ardoch Algonquins – At council’s previous meeting, a delegation from the Ardoch Algonquin First Nation discussed plans to build a band office on Crown Land . Mayor Maguire volunteered to be the contact point between the Ardoch First Nation and the council. Councillor Fred Perry asked that Maguire be formally appointed to the role and that whenever Maguire meets with the First Nation, minutes be taken by someone from the township. This was agreed to.

Donations to the Fire Hall – Construction of the new Clarendon and Miller fire hall is complete, and the fire department will be working through the summer to get the hall painted and fully operational.
The official opening is slated for September. The Ompah Community Centre Committee has donated 40 folding chairs for the new hall. As well, Lookout Building Centre has made a cash donation to the project.

Building boom – May was a good month for building permits in North Frontenac, with 31 permits being issued, 13 of which were for new seasonal residences. The total value of construction for these permits is $1,342,450. This compares to 17 permits with a construction value of $826,400 in May of 2005. The cumulative totals for the first quarter of the year were also up from 2005 by over 20%.

Budget ready – A special meeting is scheduled for today, June 29^th, at the Clar/Mill Hall at 7:00 pm to pass the 2006 township budget.

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