Canoe Lake resolution postponed

Nov 18, 2015

As mentioned in previous South Frontenac council reports, there is a long-standing controversy about a small strip of sand

beach on Canoe Lake beside the James Wilson Road. James Campbell who claims the beach is on his property, has applied to
sever three neighbouring lots. As a condition of severance, South Frontenac Council suggested that public access to the beach be secured by taking a small portion of adjoining land to provide off-road parking.

Letters and delegations to Council have addressed both sides of the issue. Five members of the Campbell family and eight others have opposed the continued public use of the beach, citing a number of concerns such as; danger from a submerged hydro line, loss of property value, danger from traffic, noise, vandalism from swimmers, and fear of large beach parties. Three have mistakenly assumed ‘the taking of parkland’ means a large portion of land will be developed at taxpayers’ expense with playgrounds, picnic tables, etc.

One blames the threat of a park for costing him the sale of his nearby cottage.

Seven letters and three delegations have spoken in favour of maintaining this small piece of land as a public access to Canoe Lake. Council members viewed the controversial site on November 7, while on their road tour.

A notice of motion proposed by Councillor Sutherland Sept 20 was brought forward at this meeting. It recommends that the Township “secure a public beach/park on Canoe Lake on James Wilson Road at the west end of the causeway between Canoe Lake and Eel Lake in the severance process of the adjoining land.”

Speaking to the motion, Sutherland said that he and Councillor Revill had, with Mr Campbell’s permission, gone on the beach
and measured out the road allowance and had marked out a small additional amount of property, less than the amount of parkland the Township would be permitted to take, which would, if added as a strip to the road allowance, secure the beach for public use.

He also said a hydro sign on the site only warns against digging or driving stakes: a hydro representative confirmed this, saying
the cable was buried three feet down and no danger to walkers or swimmers.

Revill spoke of a possible alternative beach access that could perhaps be created with some clearing of rocks. He said Campbell had been away and had not had a chance to look at and comment on the area they had marked off. Without Campbell’s support, Revill said he would not support the motion.

Mayor Vandewal suggested deferring the motion to the December meeting, to give Campbell a chance to view the proposal.
Discussion of the planner’s report was postponed until then as well.