Addington Highlands Looks To Help Ashby Lake Residents After Marina Closure

Craig Bakay | Oct 12, 2022

Deputy Clerk/Planning Secretary Patricia Gray told Council the marina on Ashby Lake is closing and at least 17 property owners are requesting assistance in obtaining docking facilities for their water-access properties.

“Staff contacted the Ministry of Natural Resources regarding the possibility of obtaining a Land Use Permit on which they could install docking facilities,” Gray said. “MNR has confirmed that a Land Use Permit is not an option.

“Staff then inquired about the boat houses at the South end of Ashby Lake which are located within an area under a Licence of Occupation (LO) with the Crown. This LO is issued to the Township.”

She said there may be room within the area of the LO that would permit the installation of some boat slips.

“MNR will consider an application to install boat slips within the area of the LO provided there is room,” Gray said. “The MNR would require verification that there is space available and suggest that an Ontario Land Surveyor determine if there is room.”

She said staff have been corresponding with a representative of the property owners and have explained the MNR’s position.

She said they also advised them that when a group of individuals request a specific service from the Township, if approved those receiving the service are accountable for the costs incurred.

Staff recommends having a surveyor look at the site to see if there would be room for about 20 boat slips and the costs incurred from the surveying be borne by those making the request.

“It’s a start anyway,” said Reeve Henty Hogg.

New Signs

Staff presented examples of what new municipal signage might look like, complete with the Township logo and wordage. The signs would indicate points of interest and be about 96 inches by 40 inches.

Beatty's Curve Road

Roads and Waste Supervisor Brett Reavie told Council he had received an email from S. A. Gardner asking for repairs to a washout on Beatty’s Curve Road.

“I didn’t take my truck down there but I did take my wife’s SUV and got down it,” Reavie said. “It’s not a Township maintained road and if we start doing work on non-maintained roads, it could have an impact.

“But, we could do cost sharing.”

“Is it fixable?” said Coun. David Miles.

“It depends on if you want a long-term fix or a short term one,” Reavie said.

“To fix it properly would be a big job,” said Reeve Henry Hogg.

“Gravel should fix it for now,” said Reavie.

“We do have a spot maintenance program in the budget,” said Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch. “I move we offer a 50-50 split up to a maximum of $5,000.”

Ahead Committee

Council approved new draft terms of reference for the AHEAD committee.

“Before, we only had a mission statement,” said Dep. Reeve Tony Fritsch, who is also the committee chair. “This is the economic development committee for the Township and this brings it all together.”

Grader Repair

Roads and Waste Supervisor Brett Reavie told Council the grader in Northbrook has been repaired.

“It wasn’t another transmission,” he said. “It was an electrical issue.”

Waste Sites

Roads and Waste Supervisor Brett Reavie told Council that waste sites are starting to slow throughout the week but weekend traffic is still steady.

“(But) with all the wood coming in, we have a bunch of grinding to do.”

Council approved awarding the grinding contract to Anson Construction for $26,000 + HST.

“It’s done in a tub grinder,” Reavie said. “We can use it for cover but another option is to offer it to residents.

Entrance Approved

Council approved a slightly smaller entrance width of 5.18 meters rather than the required 5.3 meters for 60B Airport Road.

“The Planning Department sought legal advice and since the portion of the property where the entrance would be located was specifically made for an entrance during a severance, this could be considered legal non-conforming,” Roads and Waste Supervisor Brett Reavie said in his report.