| Mar 22, 2023


Central Frontenac Council approved bringing back planning consultant Glenn Tunnock to do some housekeeping amendments to the Zoning Bylaw at its regular meeting March 14 in Sharbot Lake.

The request for some changes came from Central Frontenac Manager of Development Services/Chief Building Official Andy Dillon who said that there are some aspects of the bylaw that could be streamlined and easier for applicants.

“In the end, the goal is to save on planning fees and some of the things we looked (as they stand in the current bylaw) at are going to create more minor variances and requests for things that if they go to the committee (of adjustment) are probably going to be approved anyways,” Dillon said.

Normally, Frontenac County planning staff would do such work for the Township but in this case, the Zoning Bylaw was farmed out (by the Township) to Tunnock Consulting.

When county planners were asked to review and amend the bylaw the Township was told “they can’t get to it right away (and) they have a limited scope of issues they can address due to not having the planning rationale that was used to implement the updates to the current Zoning Bylaw,” said CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn.

That didn’t seem to sit well with Dep. Mayor Phillip Smith.

“I don’t really understand the county’s statement about the planning rationale,” Smith said. “If they can’t understand Tunnock’s planning rationale — that really doesn’t matter because we’re asking them to change it to what we want in the bylaw.

“(And) if the County doesn’t have the time to do the work we need them to do, should we be reviewing that contract?”

“That’s certainly a discussion for Council,” said MacMunn. “There are a number of things we’re going to be discussing regarding planning.

“I spoke to Glenn and he went to all the open houses and took direction from Council.”

“It’s really too bad we hadn’t picked up some of this stuff but as Council, we’re not builders,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

“This really doesn’t answer the question,” said Phillip Smith. “Why does the County need rationale on what we want to change?”

“I can give you an opinion,” said the Mayor. “One professional planner doesn’t want to take over the work of another professional planner.”

Phillip Smith asked if there was money in the budget for the planner and lawyer and MacMunn said not specifically but there was money for such contingencies.

The Dep. Mayor also asked if Dillon had time to work with Tunnock on this given that building season is just getting under way.

“I don’t plan on spending a lot of time on this,” Dillon said. “That’s what the consultant is for.

“I am willing to work with him to get the issues addressed because in the end, it’s going to save time.”

“And it’s not a total review,” said the Mayor. “It’s things like tiny homes and lot coverages.”

Former PW Manager Bill Nicol

Mayor Frances Smith informed Council that former Public Works Manager Bill Nicol passed died suddenly March 13 at age 73. Nicol was Central Frontenac’s first public works manager after amalgamation and he lived on Silver Lake.

Scoring system for school properties

Council approved having staff come up with a ‘scoring matrix’ to apply to the sale of former school properties in Parham and Mountain Grove to “ensure the proposed development fits with the community.”

“If a really good offer comes in and we’d benefit from it financially, but it doesn’t fit the matrix, I don’t think we can discard that completely,” said Coun. Nicki Gowdy.

Heritage Committee not keen on meetings

Coun. Lynn Klages wondered why the Heritage Festival Committee doesn’t meet more regularly rather than having a meeting in October.

“The potters need a good six months to prepare,” Klages said.

“I suggested meeting monthly but they didn’t want to meet before October,” said Coun. Craig Middleton.

“They don’t really do meetings,” said Coun. Cindy Kelsey. “At least they haven’t done before.”

Building report

Although the number of building permits in February of 2023 is down to three from the six in 2022, permit fees are up to $19,955 from $18,970, Chief Building Official Andy Dillon told Council in his monthly report.

“Things seem to be moving right along,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

“We’re off to a good start,” Dillon said. “We have about 25 applications in total now.”

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