South Frontenac Committee of the Whole - Jan. 17/23

Wilma Kenny | Jan 25, 2023

Plea for Backyard Chickens

Delegate Frances Broome came as a delegation to address the Zoning By-law in respect to livestock. She pointed out a ‘lack of clarity’ in regard to the keeping of chickens on a property zoned RLSW (residential limited service waterfront), regardless of size. Her lot is 2.5 acres, and she describes her 5 chickens as pets, rather than livestock. “My chickens are in no way a commercial operation, but as the law now stands, I could be called to court like a criminal for having them. The current zoning bylaw permits residential lots between 1 and 3 acres to keep up to 10 chickens, but does not specifically mention waterfront lots.” She added that her property had been severed from a neighbouring farm which also has shoreline, but is zoned as fully agricultural.

Council and staff had no questions for Ms Broome, so Mayor Vandewal assured her her question will be followed up, and she will have a reply to her submission.

Benefits of Creating a Community Planning Permit System

In response to County staff’s report (See last week’s News for Kelly Pender’s report on Provincial Bill 23), Director of Development Services Brad Wright prepared a report for Council describing the purposes and benefits of implementing a Community Planning Permit System (CPPS) as a planning tool which could provide several benefits, for example by streamlining the development application approval process while protecting shorelines. In 2015 Bill 73, the “Smart Growth for Our Communities” Act, gave municipalities the power to create a CPPS, which could, in turn, give them greater control over varying types of development that could negatively impact the environment, specifically shorelines and water resources. For example, a municipality could protect and preserve existing natural vegetation, and direct any site alteration/placement of fill. In short, by collaborating with Frontenac County, a proposed CPPS for waterfront properties would provide a more streamlined development application process while providing shoreline protection benefits for applications that meet standards and guidelines.

Deputy Mayor Sleeth asked “Why not address all land use, not just waterfront?” The answer was that waterfront was the prime concern for the other County Townships, and it would give SF “a feel for this process before broadening it out.” Councillor Pegrum asked, “It says staff will have delegated authority when there are not ‘significant deviations’; how is this defined?” The answer was that this would be determined by Council. Mayor Vandewal asked whether this change could be added to the current OP as an amendment: CAO Fragnito replied that a line item of $25,000 has been included in the proposed capital budget to facilitate developing a CPPS for waterfront properties within the Township, in collaboration with Frontenac County.

2023 Capital Budget Presentation

The outstanding item in this budget is the $3,800,000 proposed for upgrading 4 km of Sunbury Road which are designated as part of the emergency alternate route for 401. It is currently much too narrow and too thinly paved to accommodate the heavy trucks and extra wide loads that would need to be directed over it in an emergency. Troy Dunlop said that most of the geotechnical study was already done in 2020, when there was the possibility of getting a grant to assist with the project.

In response to Mayor Vandewal’s questioning of $120,000 for Glendower Community Court, Tim Laprade said that they were the last courts in the Township to be upgraded, and were “in poor condition”. A query about Pickleball courts in Verona led to a discussion of problems locating pickleball in residential areas; there is a strong history of noise complaints from residents living near pickleball courts in other municipalities. Verona will be getting two stand-alone tennis courts.

Councillor Roberts asked about charging electric vehicles as they are added to the Township fleet: Mayor Vandewal said it shouldn’t be difficult to set up a charging station at the Township garages which could be available for public use too. CAO Fragnito said another charging station would be needed elsewhere in the township as backup.

Thursday Feb 16 has been set aside for an all-day Council budget debate.