Planner Discourages Increased Lot Creation in Central Frontenac

Craig Bakay | Oct 18, 2023

Changing the number of lots allowed to be severed from a lot of record is “not something that can be done by changing the numbers (and) would cost in the thousands of dollars,” Director of Planning Joe Gallivan told Central Frontenac Council at its regular meeting Oct. 10 in Sharbot Lake.

“It would require a detailed analysis and this amendment (to the Official Plan) would commit us to many hours of staff time,” he said.

The issue came before Council as a notice of motion from Coun. Nicki Gowdy who wanted to increase the number of allowed severed lots, which currently sits at one. Severing more than one requires a plan of subdivision, a much more costly and involved process for the applicant.

Manager of Community Planning Sonya Bolton said that under the Planning Act, changing the number of severances allowed would require “a supply and demand analysis.”

She said their department is already working on development of the former Sharbot Lake Public School plans, a rework of the planning fees bylaws, communal services and the strategic planning process for Central Frontenac.

Coun. Dan Meeks noted that the planning department (at Frontenac County) had just gone through a similar process for Frontenac Islands Township and asked if that could be used as a template and therefore cut down staff time.

“The Frontenac Islands plan is very geographically specific so not a lot could be used for it,” Gallivan said. “Our priority right now is to get the Sharbot Lake stuff done for you (and) we are anxious to have the discussion as to where you want communal services to go.”

He said it would be at least December or January before they could devote the time to this request.

Via Zoom, Gowdy said she’d be willing to defer her request until after the strategic planning process is completed.

Central Frontenac Recreation Committee

Council passed a bylaw establishing the Central Frontenac Recreation Committee, which relegates the four District committees to subcommittee status. The new committee consists of the chairs of the four subcommittees as well as Dep. Mayor Phillip Smith and Coun. Bill Everett.

The committee has actually been meeting before the establishment of the bylaw and Smith said “It’s been good.”

Procurement Bylaw

Coun. Duncan McGregor said he didn’t expect all of his suggestions to be implemented in a new procurement bylaw but “what I’d like to see is that when we start a new budget year, we’re starting with a new procurement bylaw.”

Mayor Frances Smith said that the treasurers in Frontenac County are currently working on a new bylaw to standardize things across the municipalities.

“I don’t agree with all of your suggestions but I do agree with some of them,” said Coun. Lynn Klages. “But I’d like to see what the treasurers come up with.”

Frontenac Municipal Services

Council appointed Mayor Frances Smith as Central Frontenac’s representative on the new Frontenac Municipal Services Corporation. Smith is a member of the Communal Services Governance Committee.

Kennebec Sports Centre

In her mayor’s remarks, Mayor Frances Smith invited everybody to the official opening of the new Kennebec Sports Centre Oct. 21 in Arden at 9 a.m.

Public Works

As part of his report, Acting Public Works Manager Steve Keeley announced there is almost $500,000 left over from the Sharbot Lake Reconstruction project.

He said possible uses for the money could be an extension of Matthew Street with parking; maybe just parking along Medical Centre Road or perhaps Cannon Road up to the Legion.

He did, however, say that more parking for the Library was not a possibility.

Red Tape Reduction Round Table

There was no shortage of suggestions as to what CAO/Clerk Cathy MacMunn should bring up at the Oct. 11 Red Tape Reduction Round Table ranging from compensation for medical calls handled by the fire department, more broadband and doctors shortages.

“I think our problems are pretty much everybody’s problems in Eastern Ontario,” said Mayor Frances Smith

Coun. Nicki Gowdy said she’d like to see some money for transportation in rural areas.

Coun. Lynn Klages said while getting rid of ‘nimbyism’ (not in my backyard) might help streamline services and increase efficiency and productivity, “it could be detrimental to our community as a tourist destination.”