North Frontenac Council

Craig Bakay | Sep 27, 2017

North Frontenac Council decided at its regular meeting Friday in Ompah that it was sometimes OK to have two cottages on a property temporarily, as long as the original one is slated for demolition. In 2011, Sarah Whittaker bought a property with and old cottage on it which she wanted to demolish once a new cottage was built. Whittaker currently teaches in Dubai and wanted to get started on the new cottage but was told recently that she couldn’t get a building permit until the old cottage came down. Charlene Cottle represented Whittaker (who is in Dubai) and told Council this presented several hardships for Whittaker. “She’s already hired a contractor and they want to lay the foundation this fall,” Cottle said. “They’d also like to house the workers in the current cottage to keep costs lower and Whittaker would like to live in it next spring while the new cottage is being built. “She has nowhere else to live in Canada.”

Cottle said it was her understanding that this isn’t the first time this sort of arrangement has been done in the Township. “The contractors said there has been no problems with doing this in the past,” she said. “I know in the past it’s been common practice,” said Coun. Vernon Hermer. “I think it’s a difference of opinion between building inspectors,” said Mayor Ron Higgins. “The current inspector was following the letter of the law.” CAO Cheryl Robson said such things are due to be covered when the Zoning Bylaw is updated but for now a temporary use agreement would be issued. “That should cover us for now,” she said. Furniture to be debated on its own A fair amount of debate at Friday’s meeting was devoted to furniture for the new Council Chambers at the renovated Township Hall. CAO Cheryl Robson said she was hopeful the Council Chambers would be ready for the first meeting in January 2018. But first they need to decide on furniture. “I’m in favour of modular,” said Mayor Ron Higgins. “It’s versatile.” “I’d like something more permanent,” said Coun. Denis Bedard. “Something we can be proud of for 20 years.” “To me, it stands with function,” said Coun. John Inglis. “I don’t even know how long the room is.”

Council decided they needed a special meeting to discuss furniture and set the date of Sept. 29 at 1 p.m. in the Plevna firehal Hedgerow and home for telescope at Vewing pad In a brief interview before the meeting, Mayor Ron Higgins acknowledged that plans for a hedgerow or similar structure to block out headlights at the Star Gazing Pad on 506 hadn’t been brought to fruition but added “nothing’s been brought to Council for approval.” However, Higgins also acknowledged the Pad is “getting more popular and people are coming in from outside the Township.” He said he hoped the issue would be addressed when they decide on a building to house the telescope that’s been donated to the site. “We have an agreement with the building inspector,” he said.