| Aug 16, 2007


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Feature Article - August 16, 2007

Thousand IslandsConcrete coming to the Land o' Lakes:Central Frontenac Council

by JeffGreen

For the second month in a row, Central Frontenac Council heard the concerns of the same three people about a proposed zoning amendment which would permit the establishment of a portable storage facility on Highway 7 for Thousand Islands Concrete of Brockville.

David Daskie, who has been developing a property located about 1 kilometre away from the proposed site for a tourism related business, told Council that a “cement operation will undo what we’ve been doing here for the past four years, developing good quality lodgings, rehabilitating ponds and building a number of nature rails.”

He made reference to a consultant’s report commissioned by himself and his wife Linda Tremblay which questioned the appropriateness of the proposed zoning, asked for increased terms in a site plan agreement, and ultimately argues that the proposed land use is incompatible with the tourism based development that has characterized the area in question.

David Daskie said, “I’m beginning to feel that Council is not really interested in tourism.”

He then went further, implying that Council had already decided to approve the proposed zoning amendment without considering his opposition.

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“It’s like a runaway train with a few powerful people pushing it forward. My perspective is that this is being rushed through,” he said.

Gray Merriam, a resident of Kennebec Lake, said that a “precautionary principle should apply here,” arguing that the “limited benefits” the operation would bring to the township do not outweigh the potential harm.

Terry Kennedy, the President of the Kennebec Lake Association, said he has been able to observe one of Thousand Island Concretes trucks in action, and that the projects proponent, Robert Castle, has “been open and forthcoming in both his approach and actions”. Nonetheless, he recommended that Council defer any decision until the Ministry of the Environment completes “a proper environmental assessment”.

The townships planning consultant, Glenn Tunnock, said the Ministry of the Environment is only concerned about an air filtration sock the company uses, which they need to provide a certificate of approval for.

However, Cathy MacMunn of the township’s planning department apprised Council of correspondence she has received from Quinte Conservation, which said they are willing to look at drainage and leaching issues at the site as part of a site plan agreement.

Council was inclined to support the project in principle, taking the view that most of the concerns expressed can be dealt with through a site plan agreement process, and gave the zoning bylaw first and second reading. Third reading was deferred until some of the loose ends in the bylaw can be tightened up.

Other notes from Council

Organizational Review

Mayor Janet Gutowsky has been talking about the need for an organizational review of staff and council since the election campaign last fall, and this week the terms of reference for the review were presented to Council.

Broad issues such as the viability of services offered by the township, and the roles of senior staff and council are included in the review.

A request for proposals will be prepared, and Council will consider proposals in September.

Stray Cat blues - In response to correspondence from Heather O’Reilly from Arden about feral cats in the village, the township has contacted Ken Gilpin, the bylaw officer. Gilpin informed the township that cat control bylaws do not exist in Central Frontenac or in any of the other nine municipalities he also serves. Individuals have the right to use live traps to catch stray animals and the township has an agreement with the Kingston Humane Society to accept these cats when they are trapped.

Council decided to take no action at this time.

Uniting Surface and Mineral Rights Council decided to endorse a resolution from Tay Valley Township calling for the province to united surface and mineral rights so that all property owners within he township will no longer be subject to mineral staking. Public lands would remain open to staking. Councillor Bob Harvey, who has himself done some prospecting in the township in years’ gone by, said there are only a few properties in the township that are subject to staking, but it is time to make the change. “It’s the only fair way,” he said.

Parham Fair Council decided to donate $2,000 to the Parham Fair this year. Councillor Philip Smith refrained from voting on the motion.

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