Feature Article November 6, 2002
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How Long Does it take to build a Gazebo?
It depends who is building it. Wayne Marsh of Shabomeka Lake north of Cloyne has been trying to build one for five years, now and he has yet to put hammer to wood.
The hold-up has not been caused by laziness or inability on Marshs part. Rather, he applied to North Frontenac Township for a permit to build in 1998, and was refused. The refusal was based on a bylaw which stipulated that no structure be built less than 100 feet from the high water mark on what are defined as Lake Trout Sensitive Lakes, as defined by the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR). Shabomeka is one of four lakes within the former township of Barrie that have such a designation.
While Mr. Marsh was not happy about this, he let the matter rest. However, things have changed.
Since 1998, there have been four structures built on this lake in direct contravention to the bylaw, Marsh says, and he has documentation about all of them. Two of the structures are screened-in porches attached to exiting cottages, and two are free-standing structures. One of them is a woodshed built early this summer.
This shed is 41 feet from the high water mark, Marsh said, as he paced the distance between the new woodshed built by a neighbour Aubrey Christie and the shoreline. Now, I have no problem with Aubrey Christie building a woodshed. Its not going to affect the lake in any way, but I dont see why he can build one and I am refused permission to build a gazebo, which will not harm the lake in any way either.
Marsh makes no secret of his sour relationship with North Frontenac Building Inspector Ken Lindy, but still on Sept. 30 he sent in a new application to build a gazebo. The application was returned with an invitation to apply for a minor variance from the township in order get approval to build. However, a minor variance costs $300. Why should I have to spend $300 when everyone else can just go ahead? Marsh wonders.
On October 28, Marsh took his concerns to North Frontenac Council meeting, asking council to review the situation in light of the information he has gathered.
Mayor Stan Johnston said council will look into the matter, and then pointed to possible relief coming from the new official plan of North Frontenac, which, according to township clerk Penny Sharman, will probably exempt gazebos from set back regulations.
Wayne Marsh has also been in contact with federal Ministry of the Environment officials, who actually make the determinations about trout sensitive lakes with input from the MNR. They told him there was some doubt about the designation of Shabomeka Lake as a trout spawning ground in the first place, and further said they didnt see a gazebo as an environmental threat, according to Marsh.
Wayne Marsh is acquainted with environmental aspects of the lake because he acts as the Lake Steward, gathering information for government departments. He is also a past president of the Shabomeka Lake Cottagers Association.
