Central Frontenac Zoning Bylaw Amendments Will Take More Time

Craig Bakay | May 25, 2022

“You have lakes that are gems,” planner Glenn Tunnock told Central Frontenac Council at a special meeting May 18 called to discuss changes to the Township’s Zoning Bylaw. “That is precious.

“One of the responsibilities you have is to sustain that environment for your generation and future generations. Keep it healthy.”

Tunnock said he approached the document with the philosophy that the environment comes first.

“I would suggest to you it is more important to mould development into the natural environment rather than mould the natural environment into the development.”

He said there are already a lot of very strong standards in the bylaw that are designed to protect the environment but Councils will have to remain vigilant.

“There’s a lot of pressure for development because that will continue because land is not infinite in supply,” he said.

Tunnock outlined 10 areas where he’s made changes to the bylaw and predictably Council didn’t get to all of them in the prescribed two hours allowed for the meeting.

To that end, there will be another meeting June 6 at 4 p.m. to be followed by an open house with maps on a subsequent Saturday yet to be determined.

Still to be discussed are licensed refreshment sales vehicles (chip wagons), green energy, places of worship (to include a residential housing component), domestic livestock and several other changes including detached garages equipped with sanitary facilities, TSSA standards applied to propane and fuel storage, hot tub regulations (secure locking devices), flood damage reduction for buildings or structures permitted in a flood plain, the scope of home-based businesses, standards for barrier-free parking, use of hydro corridors for leisure related uses and some new uses proposed for a number of zones to modernize the bylaw to current common uses.

The first revision discussed was affordable housing under which additional residential units including an internal apartment and/or a detached ancillary dwelling unit in the rear yard would be permitted. Such units could be converted garages or accessory building, converted storage containers or tiny homes.

Tunnock suggested that while the Building Code allows for 188 square foot buildings, 300 square feet might be more appropriate.

Mayor Frances Smith agreed, pointing out that the unit she lives in is 700 square feet which can seem small at times,

Recreational vehicles could be in for some changes. Currently, RVs are permitted on both developed and vacant lots to be used for storage or use of an RV based on the premise that they are a form of temporary accommodation primarily used for leisure.

Tunnock suggested that Council may want to consider some form of licensing for RVs however.

“An RV doesn’t pay any taxes,” he said. “I do think a municipality has to look at enforcement if it has the resources.”

“I don’t know that it wouldn’t cause more hardships,” said Smith. “We don’t have enough accommodation for people to come for weddings to stay in a motel.”

And one currently hot-button issue came in for extended discussion — short-term rentals.

However, Tunnock said he hadn’t added any provisions to regulate STR in the Zoning Bylaw.

“Again, it’s an issue where enforcement is a crucial component,” he said. “But zoning’s not going to do it for you.

“(You could enact a licensing bylaw) but you as a Council have to ask yourself if you’re prepared to enforce it,” he said.

“And if we’re going to go with licensing, that would trigger fire inspections,” said Fire Chief Chris McDonough.

“And if you’re moving towards licensing, you’re going to have to look at insurance,” said Tunnock.

“My guess is that there are lots of good people who rent to friends and family to offset taxes and upkeep,” said Smith. “But there are a handful of bad ones that make everybody’s life miserable and those are the ones that will make us go through a licensing bylaw at some point.

“It’s going to be a horrendous job.”