Central Frontenac Council

Jeff Green | Sep 10, 2014

Hurdles cleared for Arden Court transformation

The Arden Court Group Home, which closed earlier this year, may be turned into a housing complex for seniors.

Central Frontenac Council approved an Official Plan amendment for the building and the lands adjacent to it, which make multi-residential use permissible. The rest of the large property will remain zoned as rural. This Official Plan amendment, in addition to a corresponding zoning amendment, has been requested by the property's current owner as well as a prospective new owner who is planning a new housing development in place of the group home.

“This will have the effect of dealing head on with our identified need for seniors' housing,” said Mayor Janet Gutowski in supporting the proposed amendment, “and it is being done by the private sector, which is ideal.”

The Official Plan amendment is going to the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing for approval, at which time the township will approve a zoning amendment.

Township applies for road grants in Sharbot Lake

Recently retired Central Frontenac Public Works Manager Mike Richardson came back to Council to talk about two grant applications he has agreed to spearhead for the township. The first one is for a change to the bridge on Road 38 in Sharbot Lake, just south of the high school, which goes over the former CP rail line. The bridge needs repair, which would cost $325,000. But even if that repair were done, the township is facing future maintenance costs on a bridge that is no longer necessary as the rail line is now only used as a recreational trail. The Small Communities fund, which would cover the repair, covers 90% of the cost of projects that are approved. Given that, Richardson recommended that instead of repairing the bridge, the township remove it, lower the road to highway grade, and install a large culvert to allow for crossing on the trail. That would cost between $500,000 and $900,000 depending on the mode of construction, but would result in a safer roadway for pedestrian traffic and a lower maintenance structure for future councils to maintain.

The second grant is for a long contemplated reconstruction of Elizabeth Street in Sharbot Lake. It is a $1.2 million project, which would cost $400,000 to the township if approved.

Council decided to apply for both grants, as recommended by Richardson.