Next North Frontenac Council Will Have To Address Boat Launch Parking

Craig Bakay | Sep 07, 2022

With no business introductions, presentations, delegations or business arising from the minutes, the agenda for the Sept. 2 North Frontenac Council meeting was rather light.

However, like any Council meeting, there were items that needed to be dealt with, one of which will likely have implications for the next Council after the upcoming municipal elections.

In this case, parking at boat launches appear to be a growing concern.

In particular, Council heard, in a letter from resident Christine MacTavish about parking at the Mackie Lake public access.

“On a normal summer weekend, the parking lot is full — often with cars parallel parked along the ‘driveway,’” MacTavish wrote. “Cottagers and visitors leave boat trailers in the parking lot, and while an effort is made to W park them out of the way, they do infringe on the parking space.

“A week or so ago, Hydro One indicated to a cottager that it was difficult turning around in the lot and that their trucks/boats need expanded access.”

Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule acknowledged that there is more usage of boat launches.

“We thought a lot of things were related to covid but we’re finding more use.

CAO Corey Klatt said that there isn’t much room to expand the Mackie Lake launches but it’s not the only one experiencing the extra usage.

“In the long term, we will have to prioritize all boat launches,” Klatt said. “In the short term, we could do some brushing.

“We’ve done that in the past.”

Coun. Wayne Good acknowledged the turnaround issues Hydro One might be having, noting that the same problem exists for emer- gency vehicles.

But, he said, with the Labour Day long weekend being the last one of the season, perhaps things will quiet down for awhile.

“Maybe we can have a report ready for the next Council,” said Mayor Ron Higgins.

Land O’Lakes Garden Club

Council thanked the Land O’Lakes Garden Club for its donation of a projector screen for the Barrie Community Hall.

Disaster Assistance

Council authorized staff to sign a Municipal Disas- ter Recovery Assistance Claim in order to pay some of the estimated $290,450 in damages caused by the May 21, 2022, Derecho wind event.

If successful, the Township could receive 75 per cent of the expenses up to $186,350 and 95 per cent of any amount spent over $186,350.

Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule said the majority of cleanup work left to do is trees.

“Most of the trees left to clean up are beyond the crews we have and we’re having difficulty retaining crews to do the work,” he said. “It will probably be into October by the time we get it all cleaned up.”

Shiner RD Bridge

The load restriction posting has been removed from the Shiner Road Bridge and Coun. Fred Fowler was quick to complement those responsible for the replacement bridge.

“It’s a very nice bridge and it went in quick with good access,” Fowler said.

Colonization Roads

North Frontenac has an inventory of old roads, referred to as Colonization Roads. In a report to Council, Clerk/Planning Manager Tara Mieske said that Colonization Roads were constructed by settlers in the 1850s – 1900s.

“Colonization Roads have been assumed or opened by municipalities, while others have fallen out of use and may be ‘bush roads’ that can be travelled by snowmobiles or ATVs only,” she said. “They are often not shown on any maps, including Registry Office Block Maps.

“But until they’re closed by bylaw, they’re roads.”

Short Term Rentals

CAO Corey Klatt suggested that any bylaw regulating Short Term Rentals be deferred to the next Council to give staff and the working group addressing the situation (which includes North, Central and South Frontenac, Addington Highlands and the North Frontenac Lake Association Alliance) more time to study it.

“There’s a ton of work to be done and we need to make sure this is what Council wants.”

“There’s a lot to be discussed before we decide anything here,” said Coun. Vernon Hermer.

ATV Run Cancelled

Coun. Fred Fowler announced that the fall ATV run has been cancelled because of storm damage.