| Jul 27, 2016


Good news is bad news in township fight to prevent possibility of industrial wind turbines being installed within its borders.

In its quest to rid itself of the potential for industrial wind turbine development, North Frontenac Council has enlisted the efforts of Joe Gallivan, the Frontenac County manager of Planning and Development Services, to draft an Official Plan amendment to state that large-scale industrial development is contrary to the township's long-term plan.

Gallivan responded with the following paragraph, to be added at the end of Appendix 4.18 - Energy, Air Quality and Sustainability: “The landscape character of North Frontenac is unique and unspoiled. The large tracts of Crown land, hundreds of lakes, wetlands, and the hills of the Madawaska Highlands all combine to create a sense of place. This character is a key foundation for the future economic development opportunities including accommodations, high tech remote offices, recreational outfitters, small businesses, and specialty businesses such as craft breweries and artisan foods. In order to maintain this place, it is a policy of Council to not support any large-scale renewable energy project, along with mining and large-scale manufacturing plants that will have a negative impact on the overall landscape of the township.”

After Joe Gallivan read out the new paragraph, Deputy Mayor Fred Perry asked Gallivan if the provincial government will react when, as is likely, Frontenac County Council approves the change.

“It is within our jurisdiction to do this. But the Green Energy Act over-rides the Planning Act so no matter what the Official Plan says it will not limit the government's ability to approve a renewable energy project in North Frontenac if it wants to,” said Gallivan.

“What this language does do, however,” he continued, “is make a pro-active statement about the kinds of development that the township is trying to attract and how heavy industry is not compatible with that vision. It puts the township on the leading edge of municipalities and makes the kind of statement of intent that cannot be ignored.”

Seniors' housing task force

Janette Amini, from Frontenac County, outlined how North Frontenac can work on developing a small seniors' housing complex in the township in order to fulfill its part of a county-wide goal to establish a new seniors' housing project in each of the Frontenac townships.

Mayor Higgins and Councilor Vernon (Micky) Hermer will join with county representatives Tom Dewey and John McDougall on a task force that will consult with North Frontenac Council and the public with a view towards coming up with a made-in-North Frontenac solution.

“Frontenac Islands was the first to get started and they are building a five-unit complex that will be a market rent facility,” said Amini.

South Frontenac began looking at a project in February and are focusing on a location within Sydenham, which has a public water supply. They are also looking at a market rent project.

“North Frontenac is starting just now, and I presented to Central Frontenac last week,” she said.

Joe Gallivan, who accompanied Amini, said that one of the first things that the task force will need to decide is if it wants to develop a market rent facility, or a rent-subsidized facility.

“There is more grant money available for a rent-subsidized facility,” said Gallivan. “Jeanette has all the information about the grants that are available.

Frontenac County also has seed money put aside to help each of the townships fulfill the pledge to develop a new facility. The township would not likely find a not-for-profit corporation to take ownership over any housing complex that it helped build.

A public meeting will be set up to gauge interest in a North Frontenac housing project.

Canada 150 funding application

Council authorized Cory Klatt, the manager of Community Development, to apply for an grant under the Canada 150 Infrastructure granting program to help fund the $1.375 million upgrade/renovation to the township office complex.

The grant can provide for up to 50% of the cost of a so-called shovel-ready construction project, up to $500,000. North Frontenac is seeking the maximum grant.

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