North Frontenac Council February 24

Jeff Green | Mar 05, 2014

Community Improvement Plan coming to NF

Anne Marie Young and Peter Young (no relation) are the Frontenac County Community Improvement Plan team. They appeared before a meeting of North Frontenac Council on Monday to talk about setting up a Community Improvement Plan in North Frontenac.

While plans are in place in specific communities in the other three Frontenac townships (Sharbot Lake in Central Frontenac, Verona in South, and Marysville in Frontenac Islands) Anne Marie Young suggested that as it lacks a centre of significant size, North Frontenac may consider putting a plan in place for the entire township.

“The population and business community of Plevna is relatively small compared to other places in Frontenac County, so it may make sense to have a township-wide CIP for North Frontenac,” said an Economic Development report for the County that was prepared in 2010.

Community improvement plans have been successfully implemented as downtown revitalization projects in large and small cities and towns in Eastern Ontario. They provide matching funding for facade improvement and other projects that are designed to spruce up main streets. In addition to small grants and loans (in the range of $2,500 to $5,000) municipalities can also discount or write off development and planning charges. It is also designed to encourage new and existing businesses to invest in upgrades.

In North Frontenac's scattered business community, it can be used to help tourist-related businesses see their way clear to upgrade their facilities.

Peter Young described how the program was rolled out in other Frontenac townships, and Anne Marie Young pointed out that the specific character of the North Frontenac plan will be determined by North Frontenac Council after a number of public consultations are carried out. The County has $70,000 available for North Frontenac. Council may wish to set aside funds to top up that money, or they may focus on foregoing revenue from building fees as an incentive for local business.

“What's the first step?” asked Deputy Mayor Fred Perry.

“Probably public meetings in the late spring or early summer,” said Peter Young.

Council passed a resolution to initiate the planning for a CIP in North Frontenac.

Unease over re-inspection

Councilor Gerry Martin expressed concerns about a proposal for mandatory inspections of septic systems over ten years old. The Kingston Frontenac Public Health, on the invitation of the township, made a proposal to carry out such a program at a meeting of council earlier this month.

“I want it to be clear in the minutes that we heard the presentation but have made no commitment to a mandatory program,” Martin said.

Council later decided to continue with the voluntary program that they have financed for several years, at least for 2014. That program is done by the Mississippi Rideau Septic Office. It targets 100 inspections per summer, but for at least the last two years only about half that number has been reached as many residents have ignored requests to participate in the program and have their systems analysed.

Fees waived – Hall rental fees at the Barrie Hall have been waived for the Land O'Lakes Community Services Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser on March 29.