South Frontenac Council Report - August 12

Jeff Green | Aug 21, 2025

For the most part, South Frontenac Council dealt with housekeeping issues when they met on August 12 at the  Storrington Centre, in the only council meeting they had scheduled for the month of August.

At the start of the meeting, Mayor Vandewal thanked emergency services, administration and communications personnel for their efforts over the previous week, dealing with a number of wildfires that fortunately crews were able to subdue.

Public Meetings

Meetings were held to address zoning bylaw amendments proposed for waterfront properties on Sydenham Lake and Desert Lake. The Sydenham Lake proposal, on Benjamin Lane, did not result in the creation of any new lots, and the Desert Lake proposal, on Spruce Lane, resulted in the creation of one new, large waterfront lot. Neither of the proposals were opposed by neighbouring property owners and were supported by planning staff. After the public meetings, the bylaw amendments were approved by Council.

Elements Outdoors

Council received the final report to Council from Christine Woods, Manager of Planning Services, regarding a zoning bylaw amendment on the 20-acre Heyman property, on Freeman Road near Sydenham. The amendment is required in order to facilitate the development of the not-for-profit Elements Outdoors, which includes both a summer camp and a forest and nature school, among other activities.

The major issue of concern to Council, as they considered whether to approve the amendment, which Woods was recommending they do, was water supply.

The site has two separate wells in place, the second of which was put in to augment the supply, but in a capacity test done in 2023, it was only shown to be capable of producing 1.4 gallons/minute on a sustained basis.

“If we approve the zoning, the water usage will be expanded. How will there be sufficient water since the new well only has 1.44 gallons/minute and we require 3 gallons per minute for a household?” asked  Councilor Steve Pegrum.

Christine Woods said that this new iteration of the Elements Fitness Gym on the same site, “will not increase the water usage, it will only change the usage,” adding that she is not aware of any water supply issues in the past.

She said that she reached out to a hydrogeologist who is familiar with water issues in the Sydenham area, concerning whether a further hydrogeology study should be required before approving the zoning bylaw amendment.

“Based on the information that was available to him, and his understanding of the local area, and well records in other properties in the vicinity of the property, a study was not required,” she said. 

After some further discussion by Council, the zoning bylaw amendment was approved in a unanimous vote.

Town Hall Hall Expansion Project To Come In 2% Over Budget

September council meetings will be held at the Storrington Centre, but by the time October rolls around, the refurbished town hall is scheduled to be completed. The end date for construction is September 19. The project had a budget of $3.04 million, with a 15% contingency, bringing the total to $3.5 million. But added costs for higher capacity water lines, new Cat6 cables and other networking hardware, and sundry items that were not included in the initial budget, totaled $75,000 between them. As a result the project is coming at 2% over the budget plus contingency, $3,575,000, all in.

Verona Housing Project Site Requires $67,500 Phase 2 Archaeological Assessment

JL Richards, the company that is steering the Verona Housing project through the various environmental assessments that are required in Ontario, has informed the township that after an initial (Phase 1) assessment,  a series of test holes must be dug at the property to determine if there are any artifacts at the site that are of archaeological significance.

“Based on the outcomes of the property inspection, review of land use history, and nearby features, the site was found to exhibit archaeological potential in accordance with the provincial study indicators. A Stage 2 AA is therefore triggered.

The process will involve hand digging holes, 4 feet deep, at 5 metre intervals, throughout most of the site. The dig will involve 5 archaeologists digging for 8 days, and will be completed this fall. This will take place this fall, and no other work can be undertaken on the project until this assessment has been completed.

“What happens if they find some artifacts,“ asked Councillor Pegrum.

CAO Fragnito said this would be reported to the Ministry of Citizenship and Culture who would prescribe next steps.

According to Christine Woods, there are two locations in the township that she knows of, where land has been set aside as part of other developments, because of archaeological findings, one is part of a subdivision and one is part of a sand pit.

“Did I hear you say they need to dig holes at every portion of this property, regardless of whether we are going to use it or not?” asked Councillor Ray Leonard.

“It is a 5 metre grid,” said Troy Dunlop, “you have to remember if that grid puts them on rock, that's a fast hole, so they are not obliged to dig where it can't be dug.”

Building Services

A comprehensive 2024 building activity report was presented to Council by Chief Building Official (CBO) Rebecca Roy.

The report shows that construction values in 2024 were up by 5% over 2023 ($61 million as compared to $58 million) The two previous years saw wild swings because of COVID impacts. (The total was $46 million in ‘21  and $81 million in 2022.)

“This report brings us to the end of 2024. When will we see information about the current year?” asked Mayor Vandewal.

CAO Fragnito said “We have been catching up. “We should have numbers for 2025, into the fall, " she said.

Councillor Sleeth asked if Staff knew “whether, in 2025, we are up or down, or sideways if you like?”

CBO Roy said that while she has not looked at construction values, as of mid-June, looking at the number of applications received and permits issued, “we were reasonable as to 2024”.

“And I looked at revenues from permits and we are up about $100,000 from last year,” said CAO Fragnito.”

Fence Viewers Appointed

Benjamin Hogan,  Doug Bancroft, Shane Kidd and Will Herbert, were appointed as fence viewers for a five year term of office, ending in 2030.