South
Frontenac Council –
July 8, 2008
By Wilma Kenny
A
Minor Variation or a "Horrible Precedent?"
Councillor
David Hahn brought up a recent Committee of Adjustment decision that
he said concerned him.
The
owners of a shoreline property on Morning Glory Lane in Portland
district had been granted a minor variance after they had constructed
a deck and an addition without building permits. Hahn noted that the
Township planner had advised the variance application be
denied,
as it did not conform to the official plan or the zoning act, and was
neither minor nor appropriate to the lot.
Hahn
recommended the Township appeal the decision to the Ontario Municipal
Board.
Deputy
Mayor Bill Robinson said the Committee of Adjustment had passed the
motion 5 to 3, and he felt their decision should not be challenged.
"I
disagree," said Councillor Del Stowe, "If we start
approving minor variances after construction without permit, we’d
be setting a horrible precedent. If we did that, I’d wash my hands
of that committee."
Councillor
John Fillion sided with Robinson, saying Council had no right to
challenge its own committee.
Mayor
Davison said the township lawyer had advised that if a committee went
against the recommendation of its own planner, they should consult
another planner before making a decision.
John
Fillion then made a comment about lawyers.
The
mayor said he found the committee’s decision unconscionable: he
said that the applicants had known to get a renovation permit for
inside work, so had no reason not to know a permit would be necessary
for the deck and addition.
"How
can we defend our official plan, if we allow this?" he asked.
Councilor
Ron Vandewal said, “This way, the people who behave legally are
the ones who are penalized: the ones who don’t get permits are
being allowed to get away with it."
Council
voted to appeal the decision: John Fillion, Bill Robinson and Larry
York were opposed.
Township
Land Acquisitions
Council
has agreed to purchase a band of land around the Storrington Centre
site for $45,000, on behalf of the Township, and approximately 40
acres adjoining the Loughborough landfill for $100,000, on behalf of
Loughborough district.
Fuel
Price Escalation Raises Township Expenses
Mileage
rates have been increased to $0.49 per kilometer effective July 1,
for councillors, staff and contractors using personal vehicles while
on township business. Council also agreed to incorporate a fuel price
adjustment for payments for the provisions of municipal services
under contractual agreement (waste collection, snow clearing, etc),
effective April 2008. The amount will be determined by the Ministry
of Transportation Fuel Price Adjustment calculations.
Library/Township
Building Expansion
Council
agreed to establish an Advisory Committee on the Sydenham Library and
Administration Building Redevelopment proposal, to be composed of: 4
council members, 3 members of the public, and staff and advisors as
required. This committee will review proposals and make
recommendations to Council. The CAO will advertise for the three
public members.
Poison
Ivy in Verona
Deputy
Mayor Robinson reported he had been receiving complaints about poison
ivy on township property in the village of Verona: Council has agreed
to engage a licensed applicator to destroy it. Poison ivy is on the
provincial list of noxious weeds, and it is the responsibility of the
landowner to get rid of it.
