Flinton Community Jamboree comes to Council with lengthy list of requests

Craig Bakay | Feb 06, 2019

Representatives from the Flinton Community Jamboree came to Addington Highlands Council Tuesday afternoon in Flinton and to the surprise of many, they weren’t asking for money but they did have a rather lengthy list of requests.

Dave McKittrick and Gary Radford did suggest that if the Township were to wave the $100 entertainment license fee, they’d put the Township on the list of donors however.

And while it wasn’t really a request for money, they also asked that the hall rental fee be waved for their monthly meetings.

They also asked for an exemption to the noise bylaw, permission to use the canteen and if a Township water truck could be present for the canteen and food vendors.

“We should have a water truck but if you’re looking for it on Saturday, don’t expect it,” said Roads/Waste Management Supervisor Brett Reavie.

Clerk Christine Reed said the Festival committee would have to ensure that water wasn’t made available to the trailers that come as that has caused problems in the past.

“The trailers will bring their own water,” Radford said.

Lastly, Radford asked if the Township could help with volunteers as the Festival Committee needed more.

“I’ll be there but I don’t know how much help I’d be,” said Coun. Kirby Thompson.

Minor variance for dock?
Frank Smith owns property on Weslemkoon Lake. On one of his properties, he has a dock that has the foundations for a boat porch. There is no house on the seven-acre property as yet, but there is a well and septic system and he told Council he plans to build his retirement home there one day.

He also has a building permit for the dock. Addington Highlands, unlike most of its neighbours, does issue building permits for docks.

Here’s the problem. He recently received a letter from the Township telling him he’d have to remove the dock.

The position the Township took in the letter was that the building permit shouldn’t have been issued in the first place because the Zoning Bylaw states that accessory buildings can’t be built until a primary structure is built and therefore use of the property is established.

Smith doesn’t see it that way. To him, the well and septic system show that the use will be residential and besides, he has a building permit for the dock.

Further complicating the issue is that CBO Ken Buxton passed away in December so he can’t be consulted.

Planning secretary/deputy Clerk Patricia Gray said that the issue could be potentially resolved with a minor variance, assuming no further environmental impact studies were required.

Smith wasn’t having any of that either.

“I’m not paying $700 for a minor variance or anything else,” he said. “I paid for my permit and I guarantee the dock is staying there.

“I think I’m the largest employer in the Township and I know I’ve taken out more building permit than anyone.”

Coun. Kirby Thompson and others were sympathetic to Smith’s arguments.

“I’m having trouble understanding how we can turn around and tell him he can’t do that,” Thompson said.

“Let us have a bit of time to see if we can get this cleared up,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.

Council directed staff to look as a minor variance process (if necessary) to make it compliant with no cost to Smith.

Handyman for Denbigh
Dep. Mayor Tony Fritsch wants a “handyman” in the north.

“The south has one and it works out well,” he said.

Council directed staff to advertise a temporary part-time position.

Kaladar waste site
Roads and waste management supervisor Brett Reavie said they’re looking at two options for a transfer site when the Kaladar site is closed.

The first option is for the Township to buy a compactor and truck the garbage away themselves and the second is to hire a contractor to truck it away.