New: Facebook has blocked all Canadian news. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

New: Facebook has blocked all Canadian news. Join our mailing list to stay in the loop.

Are_Trailers_legal_in_South_Frontenac

Feature Article April 29

Feature Article September 16, 2004

LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb Home

Contact Us

Are Trailers Legal in South Frontenac? by Wilma Kenny

No, and that issue is not on the table. "No person shall use or keep a trailer on any property within the Township, except in an established trailer park, where the use is permitted and conforms to the Township of South Frontenac Comprehensive zoning by-law." All four districts came into amalgamation with by-laws prohibiting trailers. The dates they were prohibited are: Portland 1978, Loughborough 1982, Bedford 1983, and Storrington 1986.

Trailers that have been illegal will remain illegal under the Official Plan and the Comprehensive Zoning by-law, which supercedes other by-laws. However, if a trailer has been situated and occupied continuously since before the date the former Township prohibited their use the trailer may be legal non-conforming and could be taxable or required to pay a license fee. On Tuesday Sept 14, South Frontenac Township Council met as a committee of the whole to discuss a proposed by-law to license trailers which are lawfully located in the township. CEO Gord Burns introduced the discussion by reminding those present that the by-law has nothing to do with making trailers legal or illegal.

By-law Officer Ken Gilpin, in reference to vacation trailers which are parked at peoples houses for a few days to a couple of weeks, said: "Ninety-nine percent of the time that a trailer is parked illegally we never hear about it. It is only if there is a complaint, because of greywater disposal or a noise complaint, that we ever react." He spoke of by-law enforcement as "reactive, not pro-active."

However, as part of the process of licensing legal non-conforming trailers, the township intend to require the removal of trailers moved in after the district by-laws outlawed them.

Jack Barr expressed concern that the trailer licensing by-law, in drawing attention to the existing and largely unenforced rules about trailers, would be a hindrance to tourism. He asked that something be added allowing trailers to stay in the township for two weeks.

Del Stowe pointed out that in order to change the present ruling, the comprehensive zoning by-law would have to be changed, a long and expensive process. Don Smith agreed, adding "We still have people in trailers sitting next to cottages that are paying huge tax loads and the trailer owners cost us as much money and pay nothing in return."

Bill Robinson asked about the trailer resident that may have been in an illegal trailer for as long as 12 years: "They came in illegally but we never told them anything. And now were going to tell them to leave. Whose fault is that, theirs or ours?" Gilpin said that if we enforce the rules, trailer owners could build or sell to someone else who would build, leaving the township better off either way. Jack Barr repeated that he could not support the trailer by-law, even though he thinks it is necessary, until the vacation trailer issue is addressed.

Mayor Lake said that the by-law will be brought to Council for a vote the meeting after next:, October 5, in Sydenham. This would allow Councillors Hahn and Vandewal, who had not been present, to be briefed about the discussion. Don Smith said he thought it should be brought to the next council meeting.

With the participation of the Government of Canada