Sharbot Lake Seniors Development moves to next stage

Craig Bakay | Jul 19, 2023

Central Frontenac Township is about to move into the next phase (public consultation) regarding the redevelopment of the former Sharbot Lake Public School site.

“We can’t proceed until Council is sure what the citizens would like in terms of density,” Joe Gallivan County director of planning and economic development told Council at its regular meeting July 11 in Sharbot Lake.

“Putting public engagement on land use is first,” said Sonya Bolton, manager of community planning.

The Township bought the two-acre (0.8 hectare) property in downtown Sharbot Lake in 2017 along with the former Hinchinbrooke Public School property in Parham. While plans for the Hinchinbrooke property have varied widely, some form of seniors housing has been consistent for the Sharbot Lake plot.

Originally, it looked like a couple of five-unit buildings would be the plan, as preliminary studies suggested that could be handled by the existing well and septic system on the property.

But, in 2019, Frontenac County started looking at communal water and septic systems in its hamlets and the idea of a larger complex (perhaps 45 units) started to take place.

Hence, Bolton and Gallivan’s visit to Sharbot Lake last week.

Bolton said they’d like to begin with an in-person workshop (probably a week night at Oso Hall) format to get community feedback, followed by a pop-up/drop-in event (likely to be held outdoors, perhaps at the grocery store). Both events would be held this summer. Then there would be an online survey and follow-up interviews with community stakeholders.

“County planning staff are able to conduct the public events and the cost will be covered by the existing service agreement between the County and the Township,” Bolton said.

Coun. Duncan McGregor said he hoped questions posed to the public would be different than the ones involved in the Sharbot Lake downtown revitalization project.

“Those questions were somewhat biased,” he said. “It was ‘do you like option 1-2-3?’ instead of ‘what would you like to see on the property?’

“There was no real opportunity for the public to have their voices heard.

“I’d like to see more open-ended questions.”

Mayor Frances Smith had a major suggestion of her own.

“There should be food,” she said. “People like to come to things where there’s food.”

“That’s probably something we’d have to invoice the Township for directly,” Bolton said.

“I think we can probably come up with something,” Smith said.

“And don’t just refer people to the website for information on the communal system,” said Coun. Nicki Gowdy. “You have to have good info on communal systems.”

“We’ll have a communal systems expert there,” Bolton said.

Gowdy “Dissappointed”

Coun. Nicki Gowdy said she was “disappointed” that the issue of garbage collection at the caboose park was being deferred for another month.

“The caboose has a short season and we do the grass cutting there and to put off the garbage collection for another month is extremely disappointing for a tourist attraction that brings so many people to our area,” she said.

“Maybe we could look at compensating them for July,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

New Deputy Fire Chief

Council introduced new Dep. Fire Chief Jesse Gilroy at the meeting. The report also listed District Chiefs Jeff Matson (District 1 and 2), Bill Young (District 3) and Dan Hole (District 4).

Beer tent at Fair

Council gave its blessing for a beer tent at the Parham Fair Aug. 18 from 4pm to 11pm and Aug. 19 from noon to 10:30pm.

“That’s new to have a beer tent at the fair,” said Mayor Frances Smith.

“No, they had one last year,” said CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn.

“Oh, I didn’t get to one,” said Smith.

… And at Beach Bash

Council also gave its blessing for a beer tent at the Country Music Association of Ontario BBQ at the Beach Aug. 12. Half of the beach and part of Medical Centre Road will be closed to the public from about 5pm for the event which will feature several country acts.

“We did learn a lot from last year,” said organizer Leslie Merrigan.

Township to purchase Tichborne rink property

Council passed a bylaw authorizing the purchase of lands for the outdoor rink facility in Tichborne

Road allowance close and sell policy needed

Mayor Frances Smith suggested a moratorium on closing and sell road allowances until the Township can devise a policy for such things. (There was no such moratorium moved however.)