South Frontenac Council

Wilma Kenny | Jan 20, 2016

Hartington Subdivision: Still Holding…

A full room of Hartington residents, many of them carrying protest placards, were in attendance expecting council to make a final decision on a draft plan of subdivision in the hamlet of Hartington. This proposal has been revised from the original 47-unit one which would have run from Boyce Road south to the Petworth Road. It now comprises 13 lots, all in the hamlet of Hartington itself.

However, Mayor Vandewal opened the meeting by advising them that new information had arrived a few hours earlier and as a result, there would be no discussion or vote until all interested parties have a full opportunity to review this information and consider its relevance to the proposal. (He hinted later that the new information might relate to property in the hamlet recently acquired by the Township.) Accordingly, this item has been moved to next week’s Committee of the Whole meeting for discussion.

Vandewal assured all present that they should feel free to leave the meeting, promising there would be no further discussion or vote. However, everyone stayed.

Larcon Settlement Deferred

A proposed settlement of the Larcon request for industrial zoning of a small Harrowsmith property came before Council for approval in the hopes of avoiding a full blown OMB hearing on the matter. Basically, it tightly limits the particular uses that would be permitted if this lot is rezoned ‘Special Urban Industrial’. However, Mayor Vandewal said that a Hartington resident had requested this be deferred, to give time to fully discuss the terms of the settlement with some of the concerned residents. Council deferred it.

Changes to Secondary Dwelling Rules

Until recently, township policy allowed only one dwelling per lot, with the exception of temporary ‘granny suites’. Now, Council has approved the development of a secondary suite in Storrington District (Ormsbee Road) which demonstrates a new approach supported by both provincial policy and the revised Township Official Plan. In brief, a secondary suite or dwelling may be considered, subject to meeting minimum parking standards, septic capacity and building code requirements. This opens opportunities for developing affordable housing as well as additional accommodation for relatives or others who may require special care.

Committee of Adjustment

The 2016 council appointees to this committee will be: Robinson, Revill, Schjerning, and Sleeth. Four-year community appointees are: David Hahn, John Sherbino, Larry Redden and Ken Gee.

Playground Equipment Replacement Policy

Council voted to spend $38,000, which was included in the 2016 budget, for Bowes Park playground equipment replacement, and referred the 2012 playground replacement policy to South Frontenac Recreation Committee for review.

Rideau Corridor 2017 Celebrations

The question of how South Frontenac might contribute to these events was also referred to SFRC.

Chief Building Official Resigns

CAO Orr announced that Brian Gass was leaving at the end of this month, to move to Carleton Place: Orr will bring a report on finding a replacement, to the Feb 2 Council meeting.

Organizational Review to Start Soon

Orr announced that the RFP from Strategy Corporation, of Toronto and Ottawa, has been chosen from a shortlist of three candidates to do the Township’s organizational review: they will be ‘working on a tight timeline’. (There were ten bids for this job).