Central Frontenac Denies Request To Waive Building Permit Fees

Craig Bakay | Sep 20, 2023

Central Frontenac Council turned down a request from the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation Council to waive building permit fees for a structure under construction at its regular meeting Sept. 12 in Sharbot Lake.

In his report, CBO Andy Dillon said that on July 7, a building under construction without a permit was discovered at 2135 Armstrong Rd.

“A meeting was scheduled (and) staff met with the owner to discuss next steps,” Dillon said. “The owner is open to working with Central Frontenac staff to obtain permits and the inspection process but feels the fees should be waived.

“The building is intended to be a prototype for affordable housing for indigenous people. If the construction is practical, the Shabot Obaadjiwan plan to build more of them on land in South Frontenac that is under negotiations in the Algonquin Land Claim.”

He estimated that the permit fees for this project would be about $3,200 (likely less) for the dwelling and $978 for a sewage system.

He said the dwelling was a “modest construction” and the fees quoted would be for a $200,000 build.

The Township received a formal request to waive the fees in writing from the Shabot Obaadjiwan.

“Council should be aware that a reduction in fees in this situation could become precedent setting,” Dillon said. “Council may be pressured by other institutions, religious organizations, housing authorities, etc., who could seek similar relief under similar circumstances.

“Many surrounding municipalities have adopted policies that prohibit this type of relief de in part to probable pressure from other organizations.”

“I believe the fees should not be waived at all,” said Coun. Nicki Gowdy. “If you don’t follow the policies, we have to follow through on it and we have to impose those fees on people.

“It’s just the way the world works.”

“I certainly agree that the fees need to be charged,” said Coun. Susan Irwin. “I’d just like to state that I am mindful of the need for reconciliation and I have the utmost respect for the Shabot Obaadjiwan Nation and I’m sure they will understand that just as we respect their culture and their obligation to their band members that we, as a municipality, have obligations to all our residents to treat everyone fairly and in accordance with the Municipal Act and our bylaws.”

Irwin said there is a purpose for the permits and building code to “ensure that the building is safe for occupation and that comes with certain costs for our staff to make those inspections and the permit fees cover our costs so that our taxpayers are not on the hook for those who do not pay taxes.”

Irwin noted that the Township does have the option, since the construction was begun without a permit, to double the permit fees, up to a maximum of $15,000.

“But I would say, in the spirit of the resolution that was passed by the band, that we not impose that further penalty.”

Council passed a resolution that the permit fees be charged.

Farmers Market

Council passed a resolution declaring the Sharbot Lake Farmers Market Open Farms barbecue on Sept. 30 an event of municipal significance in order to allow a beer garden at the event.

Road Report

When Dep. Mayor Phillip Smith asked why a proposal for a Road Needs Study didn’t include gravel roads, Public Works Manager Tyson Myers, in his final presentation to Council (Myers is leaving to start his own consulting firm, Myers Design and Build), said: “The last road needs study included all gravel roads.

“That ended up with engineers recommending to tar and chip and/or pave some of our gravel roads.”

He said that, given the capital requirement of paving gravel roads, “I don’t think this Township intends on turning any gravel roads into hard top.

“We feel it would be a waste of time and money (and) focusing on our hard top network, and what taxpayers can afford, is going to be the best bang for our buck in that study.”

Goodbye Tyson Myers

Public Works Manager Tyson Myers said that they are trying to stay on top of beaver dams, even to the point of removing some of them on a weekly basis.

On the topic of contractors working for the Township, he urged that experience should be a prime consideration.